Today is National Walking Day! (Unless you’re reading this on some other day, which is very likely.)
But hear us out anyways.
Did you know that walking is amazing for back pain? It’s true. So after you roll out on your Chirp Wheel+ and before your friends make other plans, call them and get outside to go for a walk today. It will do you some good. Here’s why:
Walking is a low impact exercise. For people with back pain, lower back pain especially, it can be difficult to find the right type of exercise to do without harming your back further. It turns out that walking is the perfect low impact exercise that is easy on your back but still benefits your body. Other low impact exercises like swimming can also be great for those struggling to find a viable option to working out with back pain, but for some, even that can aggravate back pain, which is why walking is often the only solution.
It strengthens muscles in all the right places for your spine. Walking strengthens your feet, legs, hips, and torso. Strengthening these muscles helps train your body to maintain correct posture, which can help get rid of your back pain in the long term. It also increases the stability of your spine.
Walking keeps your spine healthy. When you’re walking for exercise, blood pumps faster throughout your body, sending nutrients to the soft tissues around your spine and draining toxins.
It helps maintain a healthy weight. Exercise of any kind helps control weight gain, which becomes increasingly difficult as you age. And walking is something people of almost any age can always do.
It improves range of motion. Walking and daily stretching can help improve range of motion and balance so that as you age you will be less likely to get an injury from a fall.
Walking strengthens your bones. It’s said that walking for exercise helps prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. So that’s cool.
It is easier to do than other activities. Even if the smallest movement is difficult for you, walking is often something doctors recommend for those with back pain. Ask your doctor if you should start walking regularly. It’s also a great choice because it’s something you learned when you were only one. It comes naturally and you can do it almost anywhere, even if you’re stuck inside your house (you can walk back and forth). It’s also practical. You need to walk to get anywhere. If walking is difficult for you, that’s okay! Just start off slowly with about 5 to 10 minutes a day until you can do more. You can also try walking in water.
References
Bumgardner, W. (2020, June 30). Walking away your low back pain. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfit.com/walking-away-low-back-pain-3435479
Clancy, N. (2021, February 10). Research shows that walking can alleviate back pain. Retrieved form https://www.bhg.com/health-family/conditions/pain-relief/why-walking-is-good-for-back-pain/
Cole, A. (2019, September 23). 2 reasons why walking is good for your lower back. Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/blog/2-reasons-why-walking-good-your-lower-back
Forcum, T. (2004, May 24). Exercise walking for better back health. Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/exercise-walking-better-back-health
