Overdoing Posture - Could it Cause Joint Pain?

Body: 

I was doing the Posture for a while & began having knee & foot pain. I went to my chiro & had x-rays & found a congenital defect - my L-5 is fused to my sacrum. Would that possibly cause pain all the way down in my knees & feet if I maintained or overdid (the lumbar curve) the Posture especially while wearing my baby in a sling?

~Erin

No question that doing the posture incorrectly will cause pain. Yours sound like a special case and I hope you can find a way to work with the congenital abnormality. Although there has to be some level of "trying" to move into the posture at first, it really becomes effortless over time. Chronic pain is an indication of either an abnormality like you've discovered, or that the posture is not being done correctly. This is very natural human posture that we are recreating here and many women find that although initially uncomfortable, with time it becomes not only effortless, but also resolves a variety of aches and pains.

I'm starting to feel like a broken record, (smile), but I highly recommend that you look into the Alexander Technique to help you with the posture issues. Personally, I think this can help every woman trying to find that correct balance within the body. Find a good teacher; hands on sessions are really important to getting the work. If you want, let me know where you live and I'll ask my teacher if he knows someone. This will really help you with carrying your baby, too.

The focus of the Alexander work is not so much in doing the posture correctly, but in "undoing" bad habit and releasing so that the body can function optimally. This working on release facilitates stopping putting pressure on the pelvic organs. While all of my terminology might not be correct, I'm telling you my interpretation of it. I think it could only be helpful in your special situation.

I, too, have needed to work with carrying my baby (now 14 mos. and 25 lbs.) Still hope to be able to pick up my 45 lb. 4 year old, but for now, I sit down to hold her. And, well, sigh, the 7 almost 8 year old doesn't ask to be held so much anymore.

Blessings and healing,

Marie

Can you give a link to this Alexander Technique please

Sue

ALEXANDERTECH.ORG. Sue, I'm also going to give you a link to my teacher, who is here in the Bay Area. His website will give you info about the technique. You might even email him to see if he knows a teacher in your area. It's johnabaron.com. I also recommend the book, Indirect Procedures by Pedro de Alcantara. It's for musicians, but the explanations of the technique are wonderful. I think the only way you can really experience the Alexander work is to do sessions with a qualified teacher. It's so subtle that I think you can't really get it from a book.

Good luck.

Marie

Is there somewhere that actually teaches it like here with pics or stuff - I am in UK and I have never seen nor heard anything about this

Thanks

Sue