Are you experiencing tightness or discomfort in your lower back? Try taking a walk.
Active walking helps the abdominal and back muscles to work in much the same way as they do when one completes exercises that target these particular areas. And yet, unlike such strengthening programs, walking requires no special equipment or supervision, making it a simple option for those looking for relief from stiffness, discomfort and pain in the lower back.
A regular walking regimen can help reduce and prevent pain
Walking regularly helps reduce and prevent pain in your back in many different ways, including:
- Stronger muscles — Stronger feet, legs, hips and core muscles can increase the stability of the spine, keeping the body upright and balanced.
- Healthier spine — Walking helps improve circulation throughout the body, allowing the body to better hydrate and nourish the spine’s soft tissue while flushing out toxins.
- Better flexibility and posture — Along with regular stretching, walking helps increase the body’s range of motion. The promotion of better movement can lead to injury prevention.
Benefits of walking on a regular basis
Besides helping strengthen your back muscles, walking has other benefits, including:
- Reducing your need for medication — People rely on pain medications too often for dealing with back pain. This can be a problem, as medications can cause unwanted side effects or even be addictive. Walking more regularly can help keep the pain at bay, so you don’t have to rely on medications for help.
- Reducing the chances you’ll need surgery — Prolonged back pain that is not addressed can eventually lead to conditions that may require surgery for treatment. Walking helps keep your back healthy, so there is a lower chance of needing surgery in the future.
- Stimulating your brain — Walking helps stimulate the brain into releasing serotonin and endorphins, which are chemicals that make you feel better both mentally and physically.
Visit SOL today for back pain treatment
If walking is painful or back pain makes it difficult to stand up and move, visit a physical therapist for a thorough pain assessment. At SOL, our physical therapists can determine the source of your back pain and put you on a path toward recovery.. Contact our team today for more information about back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
