Walking for Back Pain

Walking for back pain is a treatment that almost anyone can do. Walking is a good way for sedentary people to slowly become more active. Walking is an especially good form of back exercise therapy for pregnant women, the elderly or overweight and obese people.

Walking Therapy for Back Pain

The type of walking mentioned here is not walking from the couch to the refrigerator�

Walking for back pain relief must be vigorous and hearty. The pace should start out slow to warm up, but steadily build. The idea of walking is to increase the heart rate and therefore increase the circulation to the painful back muscles.

Walking for Back Pain Advice

It is important to find a good safe place to walk. Running tracks, boardwalks, beaches or even shopping malls are excellent places to get a good walking workout. Comfortable and supportive shoes should always be worn. Make sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Push yourself to increase the pace and distance slowly, but steadily. Do not walk on busy roads or alone in remote areas.

How Does Walking Help Back Pain?

Walking is a natural way to strengthen the lower back postural muscles. Walking will also increase blood circulation to affected back, buttock and leg muscles. Increased circulation will provide more oxygen and decrease waste products in the muscles. This increased circulation will provide temporary relief from oxygen deprivation back pain. Walking also helps to stretch stiff and tight muscles in the back and legs.

Recommendation on Walking for Back Pain

Walking is a great starting place for a back pain exercise program. It does not require any special equipment, nor any ongoing therapy costs. Walking, like all exercise programs, will benefit certain types of back pain more than others. Some back pain will not receive any relief from exercise. Muscular back pain will receive the greatest benefit from any exercise program.

I have used walking as an exercise for many years. Running was a little hard on my joints, especially as I got past 30. I still take a run occasionally, but prefer a vigorous walk most of the time. I also find that walking is a nice activity for people to do together. It is quality time to talk and share experiences. I treasure the time I have to spend walking with my family and especially love walking along the beach at the water line.

Walking for back pain is certainly not a magic cure. It is a great activity for everyone to increase their general health. If you suffer from muscular back pain, you might just find that walking might be a valuable part of your back pain cure.
Walking for Back Pain to Lower Back Pain Home 7/6/06 Revised 7/1/08