It is all about the base when teaching people with Parkinson’s to hinge at the hip, and by “base” I mean hips or your tail-end. Hip hinge (proper squatting form) is probably the most important movement principle to train for balance and to maintain independence.
We need proper hip hinge and pelvic placement to bend, sit in a chair, walk, stand, etc.
It is the foundation of movement. With Parkinson’s, so often I see the pelvis tucked under in a posterior tilt. The person is basically “sitting” on their tail bone vs having it out and behind their body. This fixed tucked position is very dangerous for backward falling and serious injury to the low back. Very often the person complains of low back and hip pain because the lumbar curve (your shock absorber) is almost eliminated. This posture also creates a faulty gait pattern.
Therefore, I always start my clients out with hip hinging in my private practice. Turning on the glutes and getting that tail out is key to any training program. If this faulty pattern is allowed to continue, the knees will stay bent during all phases of walking (to maintain balance). The person’s weight would have completely shifted to the heels, making them a huge risk for falling backwards. To compound the problem even further, these individuals usually have a rounded upper back and forward head to counterbalance their weight being drawn backward.
It happens so gradually that the person isn’t even aware it’s happening until they have pain or balance issues. Some clients don’t know what I’m talking about until I show them a picture.
It’s very important to counter the tuck several times a day. All of my fighters work hard on this in class and in personal sessions with me. In class, I’m constantly saying to them, “Get that tail out!” I don’t care if they get tired of hearing it… I’m on a mission!
We never quit fighting, and neither should you. What are your goals for the new year? I’m not talking about a resolution though… I want to know if better posture and balance is one of them? It should be!
If you are not training your hips several times daily, then you should start! Doing so can prevent falling and improve your overall health. If your posture is bad, your circulation, breathing and digestion is also affected.
Be sure to get a second pair of eyes on you. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with me, click here and say you saw this article.
I plan to continue this topic and provide you with more helpful tips to start your new year right, so stay tuned!
– 💜 Coach Kimberly