Longer walks linked to lower risk of chronic low back pain

Walking has long been known as a simple and effective form of exercise, but new research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology highlights just how beneficial it can be for preventing chronic low back pain. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that individuals who walked more than 100 minutes per day had a 23% lower risk of developing chronic low back pain.

Chronic low back pain is a common and debilitating condition that affects people of all ages, accounting for a significant portion of disability worldwide. In the United States, back pain is a leading cause of healthcare spending. With the prevalence of this condition, finding cost-effective and accessible ways to prevent and manage it is crucial.

Walking is a low-impact exercise that can be easily incorporated into daily routines. While guidelines recommend physical activity for managing chronic low back pain, specific recommendations for walking frequency and duration have been lacking. This new study aimed to address this gap by examining the relationship between walking volume, intensity, and the risk of chronic low back pain.

The study included over 11,000 adults without chronic low back pain at the start of the study, who were followed over a period of several years. Participants wore accelerometers to track their daily walking volume and intensity. The results showed that individuals who walked between 101-124 minutes per day had a 23% lower risk of chronic low back pain, while those who walked 125 minutes or more per day had an even lower risk.

In addition to walking volume, walking intensity was also found to be associated with a reduced risk of chronic low back pain. The findings suggest that public health strategies focusing on increasing walking volume may be more effective in preventing chronic low back pain than focusing solely on walking intensity.

This research highlights the importance of regular physical activity, specifically walking, in reducing the burden of chronic low back pain. By incorporating more walking into daily routines, individuals may be able to lower their risk of developing this debilitating condition.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the benefits of walking for preventing chronic low back pain. By taking simple steps to increase daily walking volume, individuals can potentially reduce their risk of experiencing this common and costly condition. Incorporating walking into daily routines is a cost-effective and accessible way to improve overall health and well-being.