Zebris Treadmill Services

What is Zebris treadmill gait analysis?

Zebris treadmill gait analysis is an objective, force-platform assessment of how you walk and run. At Blueprint Podiatry in Tuggerah, our instrumented treadmill has a built-in force and pressure platform that measures plantar pressure distribution, ground-reaction force and your centre of pressure while you are actually moving — not just standing still or being watched by eye.

This gives our podiatry team genuine data to work with, rather than relying on visual observation alone.

How does it work?

As you walk or run on the treadmill, thousands of sensors capture detailed information about your gait, including:

• Plantar pressure distribution — where load is concentrated under each foot
• Ground-reaction force — how force builds and releases through each step
• Centre-of-pressure pathway — how load travels through the foot from heel-strike to toe-off
• Step timing and symmetry — how evenly your left and right sides share the work

Because the assessment is captured during real walking and running, it reflects how your feet behave under genuine, dynamic load — which is often very different from a static foot scan.

What can gait analysis help identify?

Objective gait data can help our team understand factors that may contribute to foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower-limb pain, recurring injuries, or reduced running and walking performance. It can highlight pressure overload, asymmetry between sides, and movement patterns worth addressing — all of which inform a more targeted, individualised plan.

It is important to note that gait analysis is one part of a thorough assessment, not a diagnosis on its own.

How does Blueprint Podiatry use it?

Every podiatrist at Blueprint Podiatry holds a Bachelor of Podiatry, training in Foot Mobilisation Therapy, and a Level 1 Running Coach qualification — so gait and running assessment is core to how we practise, not an add-on.

We typically combine your Zebris treadmill data with:

• VALD dynamometer testing — objective measurement of muscle strength and range of motion across the lower limb, to set baselines and track progress
• A detailed clinical assessment of your history, footwear and goals

Where appropriate, your plan may include custom orthotic therapy (3D scanned and 3D printed in-house, with patient-matched left and right devices), tailored strengthening and loading programs, footwear guidance, and other clinic services such as shockwave therapy, dry needling or foot mobilisation therapy. The aim is always to help manage your symptoms and support your return to comfortable movement.

When should you consider a gait assessment?

It may be worth booking if you experience recurring foot or lower-limb pain, are returning to running, want to reduce injury risk, or have orthotics that no longer feel right. If you have persistent or worsening pain, please seek a podiatry assessment sooner rather than later.

Practitioners offering this service

• Ally McIllhatton - Tuggerah Clinic
• Matt Shanahan - Tuggerah Clinic
• Remy Kozary - Tuggerah Clinic

Our clinics offering this service

• Tuggerah Clinic