Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
If you wake up with new back pain or you’ve been dealing with spinal discomfort for a while, you want to do what you can to treat the issue and overcome this pain. At the same time, you also want to be wary of doing activities that could serve to make your back problem worse.
One of the most commonly searched phrases on Google in regards to back pain is the query “Is walking good for back pain?” Clearly people are wondering if walking is something they should be doing while dealing with back pain, if it will help to treat their back issue, or if they should avoid the activity as it could make their discomfort worse. Below, we explore whether normal walking or walking as a form of exercise is good for your back pain.
Walking With Back Pain
As we’ve said on this blog many times, remember that this is just general advice. You will get the best treatment advice from a specialist who can visualize your spine in person and provide individualized recommendations. There are so many different issues that could affect your back that it’s impossible to say that walking is always good or bad for your back problem. With that in mind, here is some general advice for mild to moderate back discomfort that is caused by a pretty basic issue, like a soft tissue sprain, muscle spasms or a shifted spinal disc.
Some people assume that the best way to heal from a minor or mild back issue is to really limit their activity and protect their spine so that the healing process can run its course. It’s certainly wise to avoid overly strenuous activity right after developing new or worsening back pain, but the idea that complete inactivity is best for long-term back health is misguided.
Your body wants to avoid making an injury worse, and while inactivity can help to protect an area, you can also achieve this by pursuing smart activities. Staying active while still being mindful to avoid significant strain on your back will help to:
- Strength areas that have been weakened as a result of the injury.
- Boost circulation and push healthy blood to the injury site.
- Avoid weight gain and added stress from an increased body weight.
- Keep a personal mentally and emotionally regulated
If you’re looking for a physical activity that isn’t very stressful on your spine but gets your heart pumping and helps improve your mental health, look no further than a walk! Going for a nature walk or doing a treadmill routine at the gym with a friend can be a great way to stay active while being pretty protective of your spine. Of course, you’ll want to be mindful of your terrain and speed and always make sure you wear walking shoes that are specifically designed for the activity, because a fall could make back problems much worse. That said, walking is typically a very safe form of exercise that can improve circulation, strengthen soft tissues without overloading them and aid in your mental and emotional well-being. Not only is walking generally considered something you could do while you recover from a back injury, it is usually something you should be doing.
Again, consult with a back specialist who can provide a specific diagnosis and treatment plan for your back issue, but the vast majority of patients with mild to moderate back pain will find benefit in a regular walking routine. For more information, or for help with a specific back problem, consider reaching out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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