A study found that walking has tremendous benefits against lower back pain health

Lower back pain affects about 800 million people worldwide — but physical activity can overcome the problem. According to a study published this Wednesday (19) in the magazineThe scalpel, Adults who walk regularly can go longer without a recurrence of this type of lower back pain.

The research, conducted by researchers at Macquarie University in Australia, followed 701 adults who had recently recovered from an episode of lower back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group or a group that participated in an individual walking program and six sessions guided by a physical therapist over half a year.

The scientists then followed the individuals for between one and three years, depending on when they joined the study.

According to the account In the current situation Mark Hancock, lead author of the paper and professor of physiotherapy at Macquarie University, said the walking group had fewer instances of activity-limiting pain than the control group. Those who walked also had a longer average duration before they experienced a recurrence of lower back pain: 208 days compared to 112 days in the control group.

“Walking is a simple, low-cost, widely accessible exercise that can be done by almost anyone, regardless of geographic location, age or socioeconomic status,” Hancock highlights.

According to the researcher, the reason for the effectiveness of walking in preventing back pain is still a mystery. However, he believes the likely explanation is a combination of gentle oscillatory movements, loading and strengthening spinal structures and muscles, as well as relaxation, stress relief, and the release of “feel good” endorphins.

The professor also highlights that walking brings many benefits to improving quality of life, including cardiovascular health, bone density, healthy weight and improved mental health.

The article's lead author, Natasha Bukovi, points out that the exercise program the participants underwent was economical and also allowed them to provide longer periods without pain. “Not only has this improved people's quality of life, it has also reduced the need to seek medical support and the amount of time they spend away from work by almost half,” she says.

To advance this research, the team is seeking to explore how they can incorporate a preventative approach into routine care for patients with recurrent low back pain.