Do you feel an imbalance…can you see it? But how did it happen? Imbalances have many causes, which can stress our bodies in different ways. So being unaware, could contribute to serious health issues, some of which may have long term effects. Check to see if any of these listed affects you.

• Slouching, typically consists of rounding the spine into flexion. Chronic slouching causes laxity of spinal ligaments; weakness in spinal extensor muscles and hip flexors; and causes the body to learn that this posture is normal. Focus on sitting up straight, with a small arch in your lower back, with shoulders, back, and head upright. Take frequent breaks from sitting, to stand, walk, stretch, and move.

• Do you always carry groceries or your briefcase in the same hand? Do you sling your backpack, laptop bag, or purse over the same shoulder? This overuse of one arm and shoulder will cause one shoulder to drop lower than the other, and often rotate forward. This creates imbalances that continue down your spine and into your hips. It’s a recipe for neck, shoulder, back, and hip pain. ​Switch arms and shoulders frequently. When you catch yourself using your favourite arm, or shoulder to carry something, make yourself switch sides. Also, try to carry one bag of groceries in each arm, to even things out. ​

• Over time, most people have developed a dominant leg, that is stronger and more stable than the other side; this can cause problems. Do you catch yourself standing on one leg repeatedly? Do you shift your hips to one side when standing relaxed? Just as using one arm to carry a heavy bag, likewise using one leg to stand on, or shifting your hips, has the same affect on your body; it throws it out of alignment. Focus on standing on both feet and hips evenly. One trick is to turn your toes in, so you feel slightly pigeon toed, which will align your hips symmetrically.

• Cell phones can be wonderful, but looking down consistently at your cell phone can wreck havoc on your posture. ‘Text neck’ has become a huge phenomenon, because of all the looking down at their phones people do. My physiotherapist scolded​ me last year for that habit. On a different occasion, another one of the physiotherapists told me off, and stressed the damage I was causing. I’ll admit it is difficult, and I still default, but I do try to do better. Holding your phone in front of you feels strange, using the phone less…no way!

• Do you lead with the same foot when climbing stairs or a ladder? This goes right along with the standing on one foot. Using the same foot and leg to lift your body weight, will create big muscular imbalances throughout your lower body, and postural compensation in the upper body. Make sure to alternate feet, when walking up or down stairs, to maintain your balance. Hold onto the handrails to stabilise yourself if needed.

• Doing the same things every day, creates monotony in the body, and will lead to muscle, joint, and posture imbalances. Here’s an example: Let’s say this is your daily routine… You get up; take a shower; sit to eat breakfast; drive 45 minutes to work; sit at work for most of the 8 hours, except for occasional walks to talk to colleagues, or go the bathroom; 30 minutes drive home; exercise for 1 hour on bike and treadmill; shower; sit to eat dinner; sit and watch TV for 1 hour; do chores/ paperwork for 1 hour; go to bed. Yes, you exercised for 60 minutes a day, but most activities were done sitting, and doing the same exercises every day lead to muscle imbalances. The body is designed for a variety of motion on a daily basis, not the same motions every day.

• Feeling stressed, hopeless, depressed, pessimistic, or skeptical, can all lead to posture imbalances. These emotional states contribute to you rounding your shoulders and head forward; collapsing your chest; and closing off your heart from the world. Feeling this way, also results in inactivity, worsening the posture imbalances. Skepticism is slightly different from the other feelings above, in how it affects posture. Skepticism is having a doubting and untrusting attitude, which causes the body to twist and contort. This results in torso and hip rotation, uneven shoulders and hips, unequal loading; all recipes for injury and pain.

Do things that help you find peace of mind, gratitude, hope, optimism, and trust. Meditation has been proven to be very helpful. Mindfulness, acupuncture, massage, saunas, swimming/aquatherapy, yoga, journaling, talking with friends, being in nature, and going for a walk or run outside, can all help.

Culturally, we tend to be laid back in our approach to treating with issues; however, addressing them, will ensure a better quality of life for you.

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!