When suffering from back pain, it’s not surprising if all you want to do is rest. However, low-impact exercise is actually one of the best things you can do to improve your symptoms. Often high-impact exercising can be too painful if you’re suffering from spinal issues, so walking is a great option to make sure you maintain flexibility and muscle strength. Here are just some of the ways a daily walk can help your back pain.
- It boosts circulation. By increasing blood flow, you’re naturally alleviating stiffness in your back. It also makes it easier for your muscles to relax. If you spend a lot of time sitting down at work for example, it’s a good idea to get up and have a walk around every half an hour or so just to get your circulation going.
- It strengthens your bones. Bone is a living tissue and gets stronger with exercise. Walking means that your bones are regularly supporting your weight and become more resilient, lessening the chance of developing osteoporosis and making fractures less likely.
- Walking is effective even in small doses. Even if the idea of a long walk sounds intimidating, going for a five or ten minute stroll can be very effective for alleviating back pain. In fact, it’s a good idea to start with short brisk walks and gradually work your way up to forty-five minutes to an hour.
- It improves posture. Sitting in a chair for long periods of time can cause your posture to become slumped, which puts pressure on the lower back, leading to muscle fatigue. Going for regular short walks straightens your spine and relieves pressure on your lower back. To help maintain good posture while walking, try to keep your head up and your eyes forward.
- Helps with anxiety and depression. Poor mental health can often make back pain feel worse and even aggravate its symptoms. Going for a short walk every day has been proven to boost well-being and lessen the effects of a low mood.
If you’re worried about your back pain, don’t hesitate to book an appointment at Sundial. We’re always happy to help you.
