stupidist question ever asked (guaranteed)

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ilovejesus
ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Ok, as promised.

I'm done with chemo, had expanders replaced with permanents on Friday. Will start rads in a couple of weeks. Here's my stupid question. My posture has always, always, been hidieous. As if to prove it my mother took a picture of me this morning. I look like I've shriveled up. I'm all hunched forward.Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how I can improve my posture? Thanks to all for your patience with this stupidist question ever asked!

God bless. 

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    No such thing as a stupid question here!!  All questions are good questions.

    Poor posture?  I've had that problem from time to time in my life..sloppy and lazy habit!!

    When I was taking belly dancing, the teacher told us how to stand straight.  Let's see if I can describe this for you.

    Stand with your feet slightly apart.  Bend your knees slightly.

    Tuck your tummy and hips under, then raise your chest and push it out slightly, shoulders back...nothing exaggerated. Just gentle.  You won't look like you are bending, but you are putting your spine into proper alignment.  Try doing this when you are standing to do anything...waiting in line, doing dishes, standing talking to people.  When you are standing properly it's amazing how good it feels!

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  • Dawnt
    Dawnt Member Posts: 55
    edited September 2007

    the dr can give you exercises , also there is a back brace you can buy that will help. Good luck!!

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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2007
    Thanks to you both. Each day, I will try to do as you describe. Laughing
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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited September 2007

    Yoga is great for this. I suspect Pilates would be as well. Also there is a massage technique called the Alexander Technique, I believe, but it involves a lot of time and money.

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  • Sandra1957
    Sandra1957 Member Posts: 1,701
    edited September 2007

    I don't think that that was the stupidest question ever.  In fact, I'm glad that you asked.  My DH has been telling me how hunched over I've been since my bilateral and even so after my expander exchange.  I don't think that I've bonded with my new foobs and am keeping them low-key.  I think that could be the cause of some of my upper back and knee pain.  I think that the poor posture is causing issues elsewhere.  Thanks for asking "the stupidest question ever" because I think that you've answered some of my problems.  I've thinking about trying Yoga and Pilates.  Perhaps it'll help with my posture issue.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2007

    I think a lot of us have had this problem after bc treatment. I had to see a PT to get some exercises that helped. I now use a video exercise tape called "Be Bone Wise, Exercise" from the National Osteoporosis Foundation that helps with these issues. The trainer, Lisa Hoffman, keeps saying, "Ears over shoulders, over hips, over knees, over toes," and that little chant helps me line everything up.



    Good luck!

    Binney

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited September 2007

    According to my mom, the only stupid question is the one not asked. I agree with all these ladies on how to improve your posture. After my bilat mast I found myself slumping my shoulders over but as I rolled my shoulders back toward my spine, my incisions would stretch and I found that I felt stronger. I still find myself slumping but try to remember to roll the shoulders back to get the good spine alignment.

    Sheila

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    I have found that this is common among women in general and especially among bc survivors. Our pectoral muscles are weak and tight, as are our upper back muscles. The only 'permanent' solution for this is to follow a well-constructed exercise program. It's important to include core strengthening exercises in such a program as well....a good, strong core acts like a corset or girdle and gives structure to your entire frame.

    One good 'trick' to try while you're working on strengthening the supporting musculature is to focus on pulling your entire head laterally back over your shoulders. Another way to put that is...draw your jaw backwards like it's a drawer that's shutting. Does that make sense? It's amazing how well this works, but you've got to remember to keep doing it until it's habit.

    ~Marin

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