Posture tips?

[frivolous_fay]

Hiya,

I saw a physioherapist (I think) the other day after a referral for a toe problem. Nice lady, very thorough... before she'd even looked at my toe she looked at the way I was standing.

She told me I've let the arches in my feet drop. She suggested pulling in my buttocks and relaxing my knees a bit. Lo and behold, my arches became a bit more obvious (had been pretty much resting on the floor)

I'm trying to remember to stand and walk in this apparently better position, but I'm interested in any exercises people might know of? Will I eventually be able to walk correctly without concentrating on my buttocks and walking more on the outside of my feet? :rotfl:I'm 5'9'' and I have big feet, if that helps ;)

(Incidentally, the toe thing is unrelated to the posture!)

TIA!

[holstar]

Have you had a look at the Alexander technique?...my sister used that to help her learn to walk 'properly'..not sure exactly what it is, I *think* its a cross of physio-type exercise and teaching/helping the mind to re-learn something.

Also, might something like Pilates / tai chi maybe help with posture in general?
maybe a chiropodist or a podiatrist might be able to help?

HTH

[frivolous_fay]

I don't have a posture problem (touch wood) but I'd like to improve it... and I my first thought wasn't necessarily shelling out to see a specialist ;)

[Dustykitten]

One of my kids has flat feet ie no arches. He has insoles to wear in his shoes in the hope that arches will form - I don't think they can form once you are an adult.

Two exercises he was given were walking on the sides of your feet, like a monkey. Picking up beanbags or pencils with your toes and putting them in a bucket.

You can get insoles to put in your shoes to help the problem.

[frivolous_fay]

I did ask if my footwear might be a problem and she said no... lucky really, as the aforementioned toe problem limits me to trainers!

My walking boots have arch support in them, maybe I'll try to wear them at work.

[Mr Pink]

Best tip my podiatrist ever gave me is to walk around everwhere you ever go "like you own the place".

I can hear you laughing but come back after you've tried it for a few days.