Good Posture is Important
I grew up being very conscientious of my posture – I wanted to learn to walk properly and carefully with a book balanced on my head and one foot directly in front of the other (like I saw on TV). I wanted proper positioning. Little did I realize then, how important posture was and is. Yes, over the years I got lazy and slouched, sat in bad positions, and such. But I am back on track. I realize how posture is important to overall health. The other day I had a couple people tell me that my posture was really good and noticeable!
Pay attention to your posture – sit, stand, and walk purposefully to keep posture erect. It will help your health.
I now know how I should sit and walk properly – considering the various positions I’ve been getting habitual about, due to least amount of pain, path of least resistance and such. The importance of good posture has made a point on me and my pain.
Posture is important when walking. I still walk with one foot in front of the other. I know now that I need to walk properly by using the outer foot muscles, not the inner ones, from physical therapy. When I had a knee injury, I ended up using the inner part of the foot to walk on. This made my back hurt as it got me all out of balance. I put shoe inserts into my shoes, which gave a good arch support, and made me use the outer foot muscles. I’ve been conscientious about using those muscles when I have my socks on, or when I am wearing shoes that don’t have an insert. It is now a habit I don’t have to think about. Also make sure to keep your head up and shoulders down and back.
My recent issue with not walking properly by least resistance of pain made my back hurt. I had a deep biopsy taken from the bottom of my foot. I could not even walk much the first couple days. I had to concentrate hard to try to keep correct posture for walking. My therapist also gave me stretches for the area to help it loosen and heal I learned to walk properly again. Posture is important and affects so much when posture lacks.
I keep my head up and not bent over. If I need to read something or look at my phone, I bring it up to eye level. I center my head between my shoulders, which are loose and not tight.
I strengthen my pectoral muscles, which then help me keep the proper positioning when walking or sitting. I can hold my frame up. I sit and walk properly with my shoulders back, not hunched forward.
I don’t wear high heels and rarely did back in the day – I’d always have “tennies” to walk with and wore heels only around the office, or during occasions (but never went more than 2” high). Wearing high heels for long periods can shorten and tighten the Achilles tendon which then can cause plantar fasciitis. I was able to walk properly with the right shoes. Good posture is important with proper positioning.
I sit up with a lumbar support pillow in the curve of my back, not straight up, but a bit of a recline back. I keep things at eye level as best I can. I try not to bend over or slouch – whether sitting or working over the counter in the kitchen, which is in a bad height for my best posture.
In the kitchen or in doing work on a counter or a table, I hold my position with my back as straight as I can, bending at the hips and not at the lumbar area. I can spread my legs to drop my height closer to the counter or table height. Proper positioning in the kitchen helps keep my back from getting sore.
When driving, I sit up with a lumbar pillow and seat wedge. I put the seat at a good height for me (I have a short back). I adjust positions frequently like leaning forward every so often, fidget a bit, and sometimes putting something at my thoracic area to massage it a bit (like 2 tennis balls tied into a sock). I make sure not to slouch.
When I do my exercises and weights, I keep good posture so not to strain any part of me. My physical therapist helps me know the right positions to do my exercises in.
So – according to my physical therapists – walk feet pointing forward, on the outer foot muscles, chin up and pulled in a bit, shoulders back and down (and swing arms as walking), walk ball to toe, butt tucked in and up. It seems like a lot to think about, but work on it, and it will become a habit. It will be better for your knees, your hips, your neck, and your back.
Stay aware of your posture – bad posture can seriously make your body go out of whack in areas you’d not expect.
Good posture is important.
P.R.
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