How to Walk Properly and with Confidence-5 Easy Tips You Can Rely On

Todd Martin MD February 5, 2023
Video Thumbnail
Todd Martin MD Logo

Todd Martin MD

@toddmartinmd

About

Too many people assume that gradual erosion and decay of the body over time is an inevitable part of life. Given the percentage of people suffering from chronic pain in the joints, you could not be faulted for believing they are right. The truth is, this assumption is wrong. Physical degeneration of the joints is not inevitable, You can choose to keep your joints healthy and functioning over a long lifetime if you choose to become conscious of how to move your body correctly. How you function, when you walk, stand, sit, or do any of your normal daily activities, determines whether or not your joints will stay healthy over the long haul. I believe that knowledge and practice are the keys to proper function and maintenance of healthy joints. You don't need a pill. The best time to learn how to move consciously and correctly is before you start having pain, but I believe that it is never too late. The information is here. The future is in your hands.

Latest Posts

No results found. Try different keywords.

Video Description

These 5 tips will help you walk with proper posture, more confidence, and lower impact on your joints. Don't fall for incorrect walking tips like trying to lean forward which are a mistake. Poor walking technique can lead to back, hip, knee, and foot pain. Most people are unaware when the way they walk is the cause of their pain. You can improve the way you walk in the same way you would learn a new dance. Not everyone walks with great technique, just like not everyone has great dance technique. Because no one ever gets instruction on how to walk, people just don’t know when it’s a problem. You can use the basic tips in this video to determine if you may have a walking problem. It’s also important to understand when you are getting good information about how to walk and when you are not. There are some highly promoted videos on YouTube recommending ideas like leaning forward to walk, or walking forefoot first instead of heel first. These ideas are based on faulty logic, and I will explain why. The Transform Your Walk, Root, Power and Direction course is now available as a bundle with the two prior Walking Code Courses and the Tai Chi Code Course for one low subscription cost of $10/month. This bundle has all of my previously created content and will have all future content for this single subscription cost. This is the best value ever. https://www.movementsphere.com/offers/ne2SJsyj/checkout Ebooks: My two ebooks will help you as a standalone or follow along with the online courses. Kindle eBook – Transform Your Walk: Root, Power, and Direction Written 2025 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7RW1S68 This eBook is the perfect companion to the Transform Your Walk, Root, Power, and Direction Course Original eBook: The Walking Code: Correcting Abnormal Gait Patterns by Mastering Control of Your Core is the perfect companion to the 2023 Course https://www.blurb.com/ebooks/725858-the-walking-code-correcting-abnormal-gait-patterns-by-mastering-the-control-of-your-core Tip #1-Vertical Posture We should stand and walk with vertical posture. There should not be a forward or backward lean at all, not even a slight lean. Walking forward, backward, or in any direction requires using a pattern of rotation of the abdominal core combined with actions from the hip muscles. Tip #2-Arm Swing The arms should swing forward in a straight line and on the opposite side as the leg swing. The right arm should go forward with the left leg and the left arm forward with the right leg. The arms should not swing across the front or back of the body. They also should not swing straight back behind the body. The arm should drop back in a relaxed manner to be even with the torso on the back swing. Variations in arm swing reflect variations in rotation of the core. These variations result in an irregular path of travel of the spine and added stress on the joints. If your arms are swinging sideways, it means there are sideways forces acting on your joints and this causes added stress on the joints. Tip #3-Feet Face Forward The feet should face straight forward when we walk. There should not be a significant turnout in the feet, referred to as out toeing, or duck feet. Walking with the feet out can add stress on the ankles and arch of the foot, causing them to collapse. It is also associated with posture changes that can cause stress on the back and other joints. Walking with your feet turned out could make you more susceptible to plantar fasciitis or posterior tibial tendonitis. Tip #4-Gentle Heel Placement The first part of the foot to contact the ground when we step normally is the heel. The foot should then roll forward into the flat foot position. Many people walk with to hard of a heel strike because they push off, lean forward, or have an anterior pelvic tilt. This can result in knee pain as well as pain in the back, hip, and feet. YouTube has some highly ranked videos by Bob and Brad and Grown and Healthy promoting using a forefoot or midfoot strike to walk instead of placing the heel. There is no evidence for this whatsoever Tip #5 will be discussed in the video. Duck Foot Walking=-Difference between powering with the standing leg vs the swing leg https://youtu.be/4SjryYXaevg Forefoot vs Heel Strike Walking Debate with Dr. Todd Martin and Mark Hendricks from Grown and Healthy https://youtu.be/5xf2zy7n90Q 00:00 Rethink the way you walk 00:30 Bob and Brad Walking Video 01:15 This is Puzzling 01:55 5 Easy Tips Intro 02:41 Tip 1-Vertical Posture 04:00 Tip 2-Arm Swing 04:36 Tip 3-Feet Face Forward 06:18 Tip 4-Gentle Heel Placement 10:00 Tip 5-When to Commit

You May Also Like

Upgrade Your Stride Today

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Dr. Scholl's Work All-Day Superior Comfort Insoles with Massaging Gel - Designed for Men & Women with Hard-Working Feet, Eliminates Sore Muscles and Tired Legs, Arch Support Inserts with Odor Control

Dr. Scholl's Work All-Day Superior Comfort Insoles with Massaging Gel - Designed for Men & Women with Hard-Working Feet, Eliminates Sore Muscles and Tired Legs, Arch Support Inserts with Odor Control

(94,784)
$11.00
FREE delivery Tue, Nov 25 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
40K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Dr. Scholl's Work All-Day Superior Comfort Insoles with Massaging Gel - Designed for Men & Women with Hard-Working Feet, Eliminates Sore Muscles and Tired Legs, Arch Support Inserts with Odor Control

Dr. Scholl's Work All-Day Superior Comfort Insoles with Massaging Gel - Designed for Men & Women with Hard-Working Feet, Eliminates Sore Muscles and Tired Legs, Arch Support Inserts with Odor Control

(94,784)
$11.00
FREE delivery Tue, Nov 25 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
40K+ bought in past month
Loading...
C. Paravano Women's Mary Jane Flats - Square Toe Bowknot Ballet Flats with Adjustable Strap, Comfortable Flats for Women, Office Work, Casual Walking and Dressy Occasions

C. Paravano Women's Mary Jane Flats - Square Toe Bowknot Ballet Flats with Adjustable Strap, Comfortable Flats for Women, Office Work, Casual Walking and Dressy Occasions

(49)
$110.20
Loading...
Sperax Walking Vibration Pad with APP, 3 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill, 2.5HP Low Noise Walking Treadmill Pad with Remote Control,Portable Treadmills for Home Office

Sperax Walking Vibration Pad with APP, 3 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill, 2.5HP Low Noise Walking Treadmill Pad with Remote Control,Portable Treadmills for Home Office

(5,390)
169.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Non Slip Work Shoes for Women Food Service Lightweight Waterproof Kitchen Chef Shoe Restaurant Walking Sneakers Nursing Slip Resistant Footwear, Black

Non Slip Work Shoes for Women Food Service Lightweight Waterproof Kitchen Chef Shoe Restaurant Walking Sneakers Nursing Slip Resistant Footwear, Black

(323)
$34.96
Loading...
KuaiLu Womens Flip Flops Ladies Yoga Mat Comfortable Walking Thong Sandals With Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Slip On Indoor Outdoor For Summer

KuaiLu Womens Flip Flops Ladies Yoga Mat Comfortable Walking Thong Sandals With Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Slip On Indoor Outdoor For Summer

(21,328)
$25.99
Loading...
Onlyone Water Dental Flosser, 300ML Portable Oral Irrigator for Teeth, 4 Modes and 5 Jet Tips,Rechargeable Irrigation Cleaner,Electric Flossing Machine Power Flossers & Irrigator Accessories Black

Onlyone Water Dental Flosser, 300ML Portable Oral Irrigator for Teeth, 4 Modes and 5 Jet Tips,Rechargeable Irrigation Cleaner,Electric Flossing Machine Power Flossers & Irrigator Accessories Black

(8,890)
$23.39
FREE delivery Sat, Aug 9 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
50K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Momcozy Baby Tongue Cleaner Gauze, Baby Toothbrush Disposable Oral Cleaner, Toddler Tooth Brush for Tooth Mouth Gum Clean, Infant Toothbrush Oral Cleaning Stick, Baby Oral Cleaner Newborn, 40 Count

Momcozy Baby Tongue Cleaner Gauze, Baby Toothbrush Disposable Oral Cleaner, Toddler Tooth Brush for Tooth Mouth Gum Clean, Infant Toothbrush Oral Cleaning Stick, Baby Oral Cleaner Newborn, 40 Count

(3,427)
$7.57
FREE delivery Sun, Dec 28 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month