Did you know walking is good for the breasts? Zoom in on the picture below and notice that many of the lymph nodes are concentrated around the armpits. The lymphatic system is our major line of defense against invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Lymph can be obstructed by compression of organs, tight muscles, and tight clothing (bras). Restriction of lymph flow allows debris to accumulate, and tissues become acidic and burdened with toxic wastes. The breasts have a high concentration of lymph nodes. For the health of the breasts and the rest of the body, it is important to keep the lymphatic system flowing. Muscle movement plays a huge role in optimal lymph flow as it “milks” the lymph through the system.
As we enter into the colder months, many of us tend to walk with our hands stuffed in our pockets. So buy some cute gloves and let your arms swing naturally. It’s ok if you have to carry stuff in your arms, keep switching it up; hold your groceries in one arm (see how many ways you can do this), then the other, use a backpack, carry stuff on your head, or shoulders. The point is to not stay rigid in one position and to make sure you get some arm swing in your day. No need to pump your arms like the power walkers do. Keep it natural and reflex driven. Your arm swing will change depending on if you’re walking uphill, downhill, on level ground, walking fast or slow. It’s all good. The arm-swing helps to pump the lymphatic fluid around the breast. I have heard women say that they don’t feel lady-like 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 Those are outdated ways of thinking.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, and before the instructor taught us how to gouge out eyes, break knee caps, and crush “acorns”, she taught us how to walk with confidence to deter undesirable 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 are forward your humerus (upper arm) is in a neutral position, and your triceps are where they are supposed to be (behind you). Flabby arms are hard to tone if the muscles aren’t in the correct 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 articleI
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GREAT article Barbara! Informative and humorous! Thanks for the great info1
Hi Barbara, can you recommend a cute backpack that fits well. I am on the small side and most backpacks are too wide for me and interfere with arm swinging. But…. I do need it to be large enough to carry some stuff. Hands in pockets is one of my habits when it gets cold. I wear gloves when it is only a little bit cold even though I usually end up taking them off after ten minutes. Extra long sleeves work too!
Hello Maura, I have the Columbia Manifest, http://www.zappos.com/columbia-manifest-zinc
It doesn’t interfere with my arm swing. I use it to pack my groceries. I can also fit about four flannel sheets (massage table sheets). The pack is really comfortable. I’m 5’7 125lbs. Do you live near an REI? You may want to try out their backpacks, I’ve seen plenty of narrow ones there.
“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.”
Um, this could be the best lines of the post. Of any post, of any blog, ever.
thanks Barbara, That one looks really nice. I don’t live close to anything or I would go try on at REI. I ended up buying this one http://www.zappos.com/sherpani-access-le-pewter
It is a little bit smaller. I’ll use it as an everyday bag. I have a bigger one from dakine that is okay for when I have to carry a lot of cargo. I’ll let you know how it works out.
“flabby arms are hard to tone if the muscles are not in the correct plane of motion”.
Lol, who can argue with that!
Thanks for this post! I know I’ve tended to walk and stand with my knuckles forward so will pay more attention to that (along with all of the other alignment things I’m trying to remember!).
I have quite narrow shoulders, and do have a tendency to round them, so backpacks are always slipping off my shoulders.
Currently I’m unable to walk very far w/o ending up in some kind of pain (back, hip or knee), but I’m working towards changing that!
I know this is old but can I ask a question?
I have to walk with a stroller often and have been wondering whether it’s better to walk with one hand on the stroller and allow the other to swing, or keep both hands on and have zero swing?
I have tried it both ways (and when I just use one I try to alternate every so often) and haven’t seen a discernible difference in pain / lack of pain.
Thoughts?
Thanks for sharing that incredible TED video about breast cancer screening and breast density. Very good information! I work as a mammography tech and love educating my patients about their density & screening options. Knowledge is power!