Let’s Walk.
As with many cities of the world, to fully embrace all that London offers, it can entail vast amounts of walking. The wonder of walking is its convenience and accessibility whatever the weather and however you feel. You can pace yourself to match your health, location and state of mind.
However, there is a ‘but’ I’d like to set amongst the Trafalgar Square pigeons.
Despite what you may have read or been told by all manner of medical professionals to “just keep walking,” it is not necessarily the panacea of all ills. It is an incomplete statement in keeping your body strong, flexible and fit. It suggests there is no such thing as walking ineffectively or inefficiently, when in fact there is. Walking ineffectively or inefficiently often comes into its own when increasing distance, incline or effort, aches and pains, pulls and niggles can appear.
Allow me to explain why.
You may be aware of imbalances and anomalies in your strength, flexibility and dexterity on one side of your body relative to the other. As you walk about, your posture maybe slouched and your foot and leg placement offset. Plus you may ‘carry’ the effects of all manner of known medical issues.
In your usual routine of life your body attempts to accommodate these anomalies. However when you start to walk more, increasing your pace, effort or distance these anomalies have greater stress placed upon them. Without addressing your imbalances by influencing your posture, foot placement and depleted reserves of strength and flexibility, the infamous matter of “drain, strain and pain” ensues.
So what’s to be done?
~ Walk with confidence, purpose and poise
~ Listen to your body
~ Consider the alignment of your whole body.
Every part of you matters from the soles of your feet, through your legs, spine and neck, to the tips of your fingers.
Watch my short Simply Move™ video extract below, to find out more!
Your ancestors repeatedly walked a different walk:
~ across rough terrain littered with scrub and debris
~ scrambling, climbing, ducking,
~ and often IN THE DARK!
Walk to build strength and flexibility as your ancestors did:
~ Lift your knees a smidge higher to engage your front thigh muscles (quadriceps)
~ Engage your lower abdominal muscles tilting your pubic bone forwards. This avoids over arching your lower back.
~ Use your upper back muscles by bringing your shoulder blades together to straighten your spine
~ Lean into your leading forefoot as you step
~ Walk more on your toes to improve balance, dexterity and strength in your feet, toes and calves.
Simply Move!™ as you’re designed to move, to thrive!
Click the link below for exercises to stretch and strengthen your legs.
Remember:
It’s not the steps in your life that count, it’s the life in your steps…
What will you discover about the way you walk? Let me know in the comments below!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Rachel
Your Physiotherapist
