Walking Tall: How Trekking Poles Helped Me Rebuild My Body and My Life

 

Walking Tall: How Trekking Poles Helped Me Rebuild My Body and My Life

For decades, I’ve lived and breathed movement — as a chiropractor, a health educator, and someone who’s always found solace in nature. But after a serious construction accident, a left hip replacement, and multiple right knee surgeries to remove bone chips, my physical world changed drastically.

One leg came out longer than the other, which added an uneven gait that became even more pronounced when I was tired. I felt off-balance, physically and emotionally. The trauma wasn’t just structural — it was deeply neurological and spiritual. I was disoriented in my own body, grieving the loss of freedom I once took for granted.

And then, I picked up a pair of trekking poles.

A Simple Tool, A Whole-Body Transformation

At first, I was hesitant. Trekking poles felt like something for hikers in the Alps — not for someone in rehab. But I quickly learned they were much more than walking sticks.

With every walk, the poles provided the stability I lacked, especially when fatigue set in. They lifted my posture, reduced joint strain, and helped me retrain my gait. I began to feel more symmetrical — not because my leg length changed, but because my neurology and body mechanics started to adapt, harmonize, and compensate intelligently.

From Therapy to Full-Body Training

Over time, I began using my trekking poles for more than walking. They became extensions of my arms in a full-body training system I designed intuitively:

• Assisted squats — Poles helped me sink deeper into Kosak squats, side lunges, and full-body squats, even when my knees felt stiff or my hip was fatigued.

• Dynamic balance — Standing on one leg, I used the poles to challenge and support my proprioception and core engagement, training both stability and strength.

• Trail workouts — Trails became my gym. The poles supported me on inclines and allowed for rhythmic pacing on descents, reducing the impact on my knees and giving me a cardiovascular boost without overloading my joints.

Neurological Rehabilitation in Nature

Perhaps most profoundly, trekking with poles became a neurological reprogramming ritual. Walking with reciprocal arm and leg movement — especially when assisted by poles — stimulates the brain bilaterally, similar to EMDR or cross-crawl patterns in chiropractic neurology. It helped me re-pattern movement pathways affected by trauma and surgery.

It wasn’t just about strength or flexibility — it was about integration. I began to feel whole again. Each walk became a meditation in motion, a ceremony of resilience.

Reclaiming Agency and Joy

Today, I move more confidently. My range of motion is restored, my balance is sharper, and I’ve even taken my recovery into public trails and beach walks with friends and patients. I now teach others how to use trekking poles for rehab, fitness, and mental clarity.

This is not just exercise. It’s a path back to dignity, agency, and joy — one step, one breath, one pole plant at a time.

 Moving Through the Weight: Walking, Biking & Swimming

We all carry weight—physical, emotional, or mental. Movement can help lighten it—not just on the scale, but in the heart and mind.

Walking is simple and grounding. Go at your own pace. Each step forward is strength—not something to compare or rush.

Biking brings freedom and fun. It's easy on joints and invites exploration. You don’t need hills or speed to enjoy the ride—just consistency and breath.

Swimming supports and soothes. The water helps you move without strain and leaves space to feel strong, free, and unjudged.

It’s not about pace, stats, or appearance. The process is the progress. Just showing up is enough.

To all walking, riding, or swimming through their own weight—you are an inspiration.

🗂 for more see the Table of Contents : www.Trailfit.net