Does your low back hurt after only a short time standing? Try this.
It’s the stereotypical pregnant lady stance! (Note any movie in which an actress obviously has a pillow strapped to her - lean back and clutch the lower back, and ta-da! audience understands she is pregnant.
But standing in this way can worsen low back pain, rather than take the pressure off.
The weight of a growing bump will pull you forward - most of us counter that weight by leaning back.
Note here how much leaning back is happening in the lumbar spine - this also causes me to lock my legs, which can make them overloaded and tired.
Here’s your habit shift: Try -
1. Releasing your heels into the ground. Get a little ground support underneath you to let you come UP from the ground and unload the legs a little bit.
2. Sway on your ankles to unlock them. Notice when you sway forward, more weight goes into the front part of your feet, and when you sway back, weight goes into your heels. Make sure you’re using both the front and back parts of your feet!
Hip socket and ankle joint!
Our key points of awareness here! How does bringing your hips and ankles into alignment have an effect on the whole body?
3. Find the location where your hip joint folds. If you were wearing really tight pants, those pants would crease at the location where your legs join your pelvis. Rather than leaning back and sending your hips in front of you, bring your hips back so your butt is behind you.
Hips forward vs. hips back.
This helps you unlock the legs.
Now you're using the strong bones of the hip to counterbalance the baby bump pulling you forward, and allowing the spine to lengthen all the way up to your head.
Do you have a lot of problems in standing? What bothers you?
Did you try this advice? Let me know how it worked for you, in comments below or by email.
Note: leaning back is not limited to pregnant women. Do you have anyone in your life who walks like this?
For further help, see me for hands-on, individualized coaching at your location in Chicago or via Skype.