NPR article on posture and back pain

Body: 

I just read a recent article about a woman teaching "indigenous posture" to people to alleviate back pain. How amazing that this woman is figuring out the same thing from the perspective of back pain. It would be so great if she and Christine Kent could discuss their findings and see if they agree and could compliment each other's work. This article just came out on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/06/08/412314701/lost-postu....

If this link doesn't work, just go to NPR website and you will see the article today.

I just keep thinking about all the women I must be passing daily who are dealing with POP or will soon deal with it and how much this issue needs to be brought to light so that everyone can address POP from a more positive and active perspective.

I have only read this forum and the NPR article but the premise seems the same. I would love to hear Christine Kents thoughts on this.

Happy Monday!

Allison

Interesting article, but does kind of miss the point of what has happened to spinal shape in the western world. It's blamed on belly fat and "weak" abs from sedentary living, and suggests that a strong abdominal core is the answer.......alas.... - Surviving

PS - Christine would disagree that EG teaches the same posture principles as she does.

I would hope that two passionate women could perhaps fine tune the posture they are both looking at to help both chronic back pain and POP. I tend to be a Pollyanna and want the world to work together for good. It doesn't always work that way and people who should be on the same team often become polarized on small details. I don't just want to figure this out for myself. I want my daughters, friends and all women to avoid POP by regaining a posture that we seem to have mistakenly untrained ourselves for generations.

The doctor they quoted is the one who did not validate the posture and blamed back pain on sedentary lifestyle and overweight. I am more interested in the main point of the article, which seems to be the same posture Christine Kent is advocating. There may be different approaches but it sounds like the posture work is what builds the abdominal muscles. My prolapse issues are absolutely moving in a positive direction but I can tell you my abdominal muscles and back are working overtime to hold me up from slouching.

So much can be gained by being open to new information and knowledge and vetting it thoroughly. I am a novice in WW and look forward to learning from all of the women who have been committed to this work for so long.

Allison

Christine has written often about Esther on the forum because her name comes up regularly. Here is one post of many:
http://www.wholewoman.com/forum/comment/43383#comment-43383

It isn't enough just to stick the butt out and make a "J". - Surviving

Ponder, you should not really be "working" your abs when you are in WW posture. Your belly needs to be totally relaxed and your chest pulled up, that is what creates the lumbar curvature. And yes, it makes the abdominal muscles long and strong. But if you are tightening the abdominal muscles in order to keep from slouching, that is really not WW posture. Your organs need that space in the belly - keep it soft. - Surviving

I have to constantly remind myself to relax my belly, breathe into my belly, keep ribs up and shoulders down. I am not tightening or anything but I suppose my posture was so terrible, allowing my ribs to collapse into my abdomen or reclining back, that holding up my ribs, sitting on the edge of the chair on my sit bones with my belly relaxed is like a workout. My lower abdominal muscles have been sore, as has my back. It feels like muscle building rather than strain of any kind. I think I'm making progress but can't wait to get the book and DVD to be sure I'm doing everything right. I feel like all the exercises will also help me strengthen my lazy muscles to make keeping this posture easier. I'm a work in progress...

I think most everyone here would agree that learning to keep the belly relaxed is the first big hurdle to get over. And many new members do feel this work in their backs, especially if they are pushing themselves too hard. But I just can't recall anyone saying it gave them sore abs. Something is engaged; those muscles aren't relaxed and that's what you need to work on really hard. Yes, you have to think about it all the time at the beginning, but that period doesn't last forever. - Surviving

Dear Ponder and others,
It is natural to want to find others to work with the same approach, however as I learned the principles of Christine's approach and research others as they come up like on this forum, it is increasingly apparent that Christine's approach is unique and holistic.

I can say this with the hindsight of 3 yrs WW work that the holistic nature is more and more evident with the benefits that come my way.

All the best,
Aussie Soul Sister

Ponder, you might want to consider a Skype session with Christine. I was blessed to have a phone session followed by an in-person session, and allowing her to fine tune my posture made a tremendous difference for me in living the posture.

Thank you for explaining. I just received the book & DVDs today and I am very excited to get all the details and begin the exercises. Just trying to use the posture has made a huge difference for me, I am looking forward to all the benefits from learning more about diet and exercise.

So glad to have found this!

Allison