The term gait refers to your walking pattern. Walking requires your brain and muscles to work together to control your movements. Having an abnormal gait can mean you lack balance or coordination or simply have trouble walking normally. An abnormal gait can cause you to waddle, take smaller steps, walk slowly, or even walk with your head or neck bent over. Issues like loss of balance or coordination can put you at risk of injuries, leading to further problems with your health. Although it’s not something you usually think about, walking is essential to your daily life and overall health, so it’s important to properly address any changes to your regular walking pattern.