Walk Away From Chronic Back Pain
Daily walking significantly reduces the risk of chronic lower back problems. That’s according to a study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology that involved 11,194 participants who wore sensors to provide reliable data about their walking habits.
The researchers concluded that walking more than 100 minutes per day was associated with a 23 percent lower risk of back issues, compared to walking 78 minutes a day or less. Consistency seemed to matter more than intensity: Walking more — even at a slow pace — appeared to be more effective for preventing back pain than walking quickly for shorter periods. Because even leisurely walks seemed to provide a benefit, walking could be a simple, cost-effective way to help prevent back pain for most people.
