There’s one thing most of us do daily in one form or another that can promote spine health—the simple act of walking. In fact, a new study suggests the act of putting one foot in front of the other on a regular basis may be the simplest solution for protecting your spine and keeping it healthy as you get older. Walking can optimize spinal health, alleviate pain, and minimize the likelihood of needing surgical interventions such as alternatives to spinal fusion. Los Angeles residents should explore these results and learn more about how walking can be good for the spine.
Assessing the Link Between Walking and Spine Health
A South Korean study found that for individuals 50 and over, regular and prolonged walking lowered the risk of experiencing lower back pain (LBP). The study was based on a survey of approximately 50,000 individuals in South Korea who were evaluated over a five-year period. Specifically, participants were asked the following questions:
• How often do you walk?
• Do you currently have LBP?
• Do you have other chronic diseases or conditions (comorbidities)?
Analyzing the Study’s Results
It was discovered that more than half of the study’s participants with LBP walked for more than half an hour at a time but did so fewer than three days a week. More than 70 percent of those surveyed also reported walking fewer than three days a week, except they walked for more than an hour per session.
Finding the Right Walking Routine
The study did find a negative connection between walking for more than 30 minutes at a time more than three times a week. However, individuals who hit the minimum of 30 minutes of walking per session at least three days a week were less likely to experience lower back pain.
These findings suggest it’s best to keep walking sessions fairly short in duration while still making an effort to walk at least three days a week. If you have existing issues with LBP, you may benefit from walking by taking proper precautions, such as:
• Gradually increasing your walking duration
• Going at a comfortable pace
• Keeping your head, neck, and shoulders aligned as you walk
Enjoying the Many Health-Related Benefits of Walking
Walking is a simple form of exercise that has the potential to boost your health in many ways that could also be good for your spine. For instance, regular walking can help you burn enough calories to lose weight or stay within an optimal weight range, which can ease pressure on your spine. Walking can also benefit your spine by:
• Lowering your blood sugar and reducing your odds of developing underlying conditions that could affect your spine, such as diabetes
• Stimulating the production of hormones that naturally ease pain (endorphins)
• Reducing your risk of developing arthritis, which has the potential to affect spinal bones and joints
• Improving your mood, which could ease the stress and anxiety that sometimes contributes to back pain
Walking for 30 minutes a day roughly every other day is certainly a good first step when it comes to keeping your spine healthy, but you can go a few steps further and combine regular walking with healthy eating, posture, and exercise habits. Also, be proactive about checking in with your doctor or a Los Angeles spine surgeon if you experience sudden or worsening spine-related discomfort.
For more information on methods that promote optimal spine health, reach out to the back health pioneers at The Spine Institute. Our industry-leading physicians have unparalleled expertise in every aspect of neck and spinal health, and our state-of-the-art technology and innovative treatment methods are second to none. Call one of our friendly representatives today at 310-828-7757 to schedule your personal consultation.