“People with ongoing or recurrent episodes of lower back pain should consider the benefits of walking as a low-impact form of exercise. Aerobic exercise has long been shown to reduce the incidence of low back pain. However, people with low back pain often find some forms of exercise too painful to continue, and therefore don’t get the exercise they need to maintain good health. Exercise walking is one way to benefit from regular exercise while not aggravating the structures in the lower back.”

“Exercise Walking for Better Back Health” by Ted Forcum, DC and Thomas Hyde, DC appears at Spine-Health and talks about the benefits of walking for your back.

• Strengthens muscles in the feet, legs, hips, and torso—walking increases the stability of the spine and conditions the muscles that keep the body in the upright position.
• Nourishes the spinal structures—walking for exercise facilitates strong circulation, pumping nutrients into soft tissues and draining toxins.
• Improves flexibility and posture—exercise walking along with regular stretching allows greater range of motion; helps prevent awkward movements and susceptibility of future injury.
• Strengthens bones and reduces bone density loss—regular walking for exercise helps prevent osteoporosis and can aid in reducingosteoarthritis pain.
• Helps with controlling weight—any regular exercise routine helps maintain a healthy weight, especially as one ages and metabolism slows.

I know you’re not spineless but walking seems to make our backs much healthier. Take a walk for your backs sake. I know from personal experience, that body lower weight puts much less stress on the back. Get started and see how your back feels after a year of walking, all those low impact miles.

MikeZ_backing into a healthy back.

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program.
Your physician is your very best resource.