Between the latest online fads and the crazy media headlines, it’s easier than ever to get confused about your health. If you want to make better decisions about your health today so you can feel better and live longer, you’ve come to the right place.

Sit up straight! Posture is incredibly important, but not in the ways you might think. Done well, you can enjoy the benefits of correct posture and movement without adding any additional exercises to your already busy day. From wearing the right shoes and hanging from your arms to doing the dishes the right way, today’s guest shares simple and doable ways to improve your posture and eliminate your pain.

I’m joined today by Aaron Alexander, manual therapist, movement coach, author of The Align Method and expert in all things movement and biomechanics. Aaron debunks the myths surrounding posture and back pain and explains the consequences of limiting our body’s natural ability for movement. He offers simple ways that anyone can incorporate better movement into their daily routine that doesn’t require additional exercise or pushing yourself any harder than you do right now. His recommended movement exercises simply require moving your body in the most beneficial ways possible. If you’ve been looking for a solution to your neck or back pain, this conversation is going to shed light on the topic that you may have never considered before.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:11] Today’s topic is posture — do you really need to sit up straight to save yourself from back pain?

[2:08] Aaron Alexander dives into the research that examines the relationship between stress and back pain.

[5:38] Aaron shares his initial motivation for building muscle and the chronic pain and anxiety he dealt with as a result of neglecting his integrative health.

[7:10] The language we use and the limits effect it can have on the abilities of our bodies.

[10:20] The consequences of limiting postural movement and the role that muscle memory unintentionally plays in our reaction to life events.

[17:58] There is value in becoming less rigid and more flexible in life when dealing with anxiety, stress, and weight issues.

[20:17] Finding internal contentment will increase your satisfaction with life experiences in the external world.

[23:34] Ways you can integrate more intentional movement into your everyday life, without doing any additional physical exercise.

[29:02] The correlation between foot issues and back pain, and the health disasters that can result from wearing the wrong shoes.

[30:41] How long will it take to integrate and benefit from the 5 movement principles listed in Aaron’s book?

[34:41] Living in the moment is the ultimate goal of the align method, and Aaron shares his goal of creating a life that includes the more desirable meta-experience.

[36:06] How often do you hang from your arms? Aaron highlights the physical benefits of hanging in order to relieve shoulder pain.

[41:18] Do you have a topic you’d like me to cover? Contact me on Facebook or Instagram using #medicalmyths.

 

To learn more:

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Comprehensive Thyroid Care Telemedicine

Align Podcast

The Align Method: 5 Movement Principles for a Stronger Body, Sharper Mind, and Stress-Proof Life by Aaron Alexander

Playing With Movement: How to Explore the Many Dimensions of Physical Health and Performance Todd Hargrove