Walking Better
Step into your landing. Don’t pull yourself into it.
Walking starts with the whole body
Feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, spine, and shoulders all participate. A restriction in one place may change the demands elsewhere. I observe how the hips advance with each step and how the supporting leg contributes to movement.
Sometimes the problem is not how much you walk. It is how you walk.
Understanding how the whole body works together.
Step into your landing — don’t pull yourself into it
During an efficient stride, the body advances over the supporting leg. As that leg trails behind, calf muscles, ankle, and forefoot contribute to propulsion toward the next step. The advancing leg swings forward to meet the ground.
Move your hips into the next step instead of reaching so far ahead that you have to pull yourself toward your planted foot.
What overstriding changes
Landing excessively far ahead of the body can increase braking forces. Normal heel contact is not inherently harmful; unnecessary reaching and braking are the concern.
Your hips should travel with you
Restricted hip extension may alter pelvic movement, stride length, and lumbar mechanics. The iliopsoas and surrounding tissues may be involved. These changes do not automatically cause sciatica, but may contribute to discomfort in someone with existing hip or back problems.
A restricted hip does not stop you walking. It changes how the rest of you has to walk.
Where Medical Massage Therapy fits in
I assess posture, hip and pelvic mobility, ankle movement, guarding, and walking patterns. Hands-on work may improve comfort, while strength, balance, and gait exercises reinforce useful changes. Try walking tall, letting your body travel over the supporting leg, and feeling a natural push through the forefoot—without forcing yourself onto your toes.
Stop reaching for your next step. Learn to move into it.
Ready to get back to life?
Body Balancing Medical Massage Therapy — rebalancing the body to get back to life.
