Movement plays a vital role in maintaining natural breast health. Many people overlook the importance of proper arm movement and posture. Yet, these elements can significantly impact how well our bodies function. In this blog post, we’ll explore how simple changes in movement can enhance our overall breast health. Join us as we discover practical tips for nurturing our bodies naturally.
Walktober & Breast Health
As we enter the colder months, many of us tend to walk with our hands stuffed in our pockets, which impedes lymph flow. So buy some cute gloves and let your arms swing naturally. If you have to carry things in your arms, keep switching up how you carry your load. Hold your groceries in one arm (see how many ways you can do this), then transfer them to the other. Use a backpack, carry things on your head, or on your shoulders. The point is not to stay rigid in one position and to make sure you use reciprocal arm swing while you’re walking. There’s no need to pump your arms like power walkers do. Keep it natural and reflex-driven. Your arm swing will change depending on whether you’re walking uphill, downhill, on level ground, walking fast, or walking slowly. It’s all good. The arm swing helps to pump the lymphatic fluid around the breast.
I’ve heard women say that they don’t feel ladylike when they swing their arms. Those are outdated ways of thinking. Personally, I think a natural arm swing makes you appear more confident. I took a self-defense class years ago. Before the instructor taught us to gouge out eyes, break kneecaps, and crush “acorns,” she first taught us how to walk with confidence. This helped us deter unwanted attention. Women who walk around looking at the ground, shuffling along in high heels with a purse dangling from their arm, appear to be easy targets.
So now that you’re sporting that “don’t mess with me” attitude (Just kidding. Walking is fun!), notice if your elbow pits face forward. When your elbow pits face forward, your upper arm is in a neutral position. This means your triceps are in the correct place, behind you. Flabby arms are hard to tone if the muscles aren’t in the proper plane of motion. Triceps are supposed to be on the back of the arms while walking, not on the side. Forearms should be able to rotate independently of your upper arm, so keep your thumbs forward, not your knuckles. It’s not lady-like to walk around like a gorilla. And of course, your palms shouldn’t be facing forward. That would just be weird and not very aerodynamic.
Remember, this is a natural movement, not a military march. So get out there and let your arms swing naturally. Have fun, smile pretty, and watch your back.
Are adhesions disrupting your lymphatic flow?
You may be interested in my Abdominal Adhesions article.
Or my C-Sections Scars & Adhesions article
In the Free the Belly Online Course., I teach breathwork, abdominal massage, exercises, and other supportive therapies. This course is designed for those with abdominal scars and restrictions.
According to breast health centers and the American College of Radiology, breast cancer is easiest to treat and cure when found early. This is why they recommend starting annual mammograms at age 40. Depending on your family history and personal risk factors, you may need to undergo mammograms at an earlier age or more frequently. It is also essential to follow your doctor’s advice on this matter.
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.