Decreasing Aches and Pains with One Rule

Normal wear and tear on the body creates aches and pains that can be decreased by improving our posture. Good posture leads to looking and feeling better. The earlier we start working on posture, the higher the possibility is for decreasing the amount of aches and pains.

Now don’t leave just because you heard the word posture. When hearing the word posture we all have flashbacks of “roll your shoulders back, tuck your hips under, suck your stomach in, hold your head high, and stick out your chest.” Those are just too many things to focus on.

To make body posture less complicated you can practice the rule of the imaginary string.

The Imaginary String:

Step 1: Stand up and walk the wrong way

In order to understand the imaginary string, you first need to recognize the wrong way to walk. Try to walk around with an imaginary string pulling you from the top of your sternum or chest bone. This is how most people walk, and it will pull your shoulders forward and pull your hips back, causing all sorts of aches and pains.

Step 2: Find the correct imaginary string attachment

Measure a three-finger width below your navel. Directly below this point is where the imaginary string will attach.

Step 3: Get up and try walking with the imaginary string

Now it is time to practice using the imaginary string. Get up and start walking. Imagine this “string” pulling you forward from the attachment you just found below your navel. As you imagine this string pulling you, you will feel your shoulders pull back, your hips pull forward and under, and your head and neck straighten up.

Step 4: Contrast the right and wrong way

Now that you know the right and wrong way to walk with the imaginary string, try both so you can more fully understand and feel the difference when you are using the correct imaginary string to walk.

Step 5: Practice

Keep practicing using the imaginary string everyday while you walk around or even while sitting. This one rule of the imaginary string can help with poor posture and lower the risk of aches and pains in the neck, hips, and upper and lower back.