At my acupuncture clinic I am huge advocate for daily walks. That is walks with an 'S' the more the better, here is something to keep in mind to keep them even more effective for your health. I am not a physiologist or bio-mechanic expert but these are things I see and are easy to put into practice for a few strides a day.
Why Strut?
1. Walking with deliberate steps increases stride length this effectively turns-off overly facilitated hip-flexors while simultaneously recruiting the posterior chain more properly. This improves desk jockey/couch surfing posture that is so prevalent today--so a bit of swagger addresses tight psoas muscles and glute amnesia all-in-one.
2. Strutting further improves posture by projecting confidence, pulls the shoulders back, opens the lungs. This improves oxygen uptake and allows the lower lung lobes to do their job. Thus better and more efficient breathing, always a plus.
3. Proper strutting encourages heel, ball, big toe drive when you step you get a more proper foot mechanics. This will activate a slight internal rotation of the femur, internal rotators stabilize the sacrum and ''unlock' the SI Joint for better pelvis motion....do 1 n 3 together and viola'. Feel that lower back pain dissipate! All the sudden your pelvis moves like it should and your lumbar will stop rotating to compensate for the locked hips. (Found this thru personal experience)
4. Swagger gives you upper body reciprocal sway. In our world my patients tend to be fearful and constrained, nothing like a little sway and proper left/right gait counteraction to free and relax the mind....if u want to feel better, move better....if u strut no matter your mood...it will improve!! Have fun with it :)
5. Disco...how can u not like that--it is like cornbeard for Chris Rock!
Ah, ah ah ah staying alive.
So we are all grooving together my man in New Jersey and movement expert Dr Perry Nickelston DC at Stop Chasing Pain had this to say...
~The deliberate intent of movement swagger will help optimize hip extension and gluteus Maximus activation. So you get a properly functioning extension pattern, increased tone in the glutes, and a few more stares. Whats not to love?~
Feel better and give yourself a little swagger the next time you go out for a stroll!
Mason McClellan LAc
