Is walking good for lower back pain?

While it may seem counterintuitive, going for a stroll can do wonders for your discomfort.

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And who could blame you?

woman sweating in the gym

a spokesperson for theAmerican Physical Therapy Associationand program director for the Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification forEvidence In Motion

After all, no one wants to do anything that would make their discomfort any worse.

The potential of walking to help chronic lower back pain is significant.

2019 National Health Interview Survey2.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Immobility can cause a plethora of issues, Louw says.

Strained tissues are more vulnerable to injuries.

On the other hand, physical activity like walking is beneficial both for general health and healing.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Movement brings blood flow to tissues and increases oxygenation needed for healing, Louw says.

The more you move, the better you feel.

This is why walking was very appealing to participants in our intervention and was generally considered safe.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

a spokesperson for theAmerican Physical Therapy Associationand program director for the Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification forEvidence In Motion

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Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

For many people, fear can immobilize them.

Theyre afraid if they move, theyll hurt something, Louw says.

We are highly trained and educated, and we love to develop long-term relationships with clients.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Movement brings blood flow to tissues and increases oxygenation needed for healing.

The more you move, the better you feel.

Colleen Louw, MPT

How much do it’s crucial that you walk to see results?

This seems a sensible dose to recommend based on our study findings, Dr. Pocovi says.

PTs will help you to do more activity as you are able, Louw says.

Some people might feel great and decide to walk three miles.

Then they end up back in bed.

We want to expose you to gradual activity.

Will your back pain come back if you stop walking?

Theres a good chance it will, according to both Louw and Dr. Pocovi.

We assume its no different in this instance, Dr. Pocovi says.

This nicely talks to the need for ongoing engagement for sustained benefit, Dr. Pocovi says.

Weather can be a limiting factor, especially for older people.

Listen to your body, she says.

The [WalkBack] study showed walking wont make you worse.

Remember: Physiologically, immobility strains tissues more than mobility.

2024 Jul 13;404(10448):134-144. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00755-4.

Epub 2024 Jun 19.

Feldman DE, Nahin RL.

Disability Among Persons With Chronic Severe Back Pain: Results From a Nationally Representative Population-based Sample.

2022 Dec;23(12):2144-2154. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.07.016.

Epub 2022 Sep 9.

2023 Jul;69(3):182-188. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2023.05.010.

Epub 2023 Jun 2.

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