Does walking cause low back pain, or does it actually help it?

My name is Dr. David Geier – orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert. I help you feel, look and perform your best, regardless of age or injury.

Introduction

Walking is a great way to get exercise and improve your health. It’s a low-impact activity that doesn’t put much stress on your body, so it can be especially good for those who are recovering from an injury or chronic condition like back pain. Depending on the cause of your low back pain, walking can be difficult, or it could make the pain worse.

Low back pain is extremely common.

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. It can be caused by muscle strain, arthritis, or a herniated disc.

Walking can be good for your back – and your health

If you have lower back pain, you may worry that walking will make the situation worse. But if you’re healthy and in good physical condition, walking can help strengthen low-back muscles and is good exercise for overall health.

In fact, studies show that walking on a regular basis can actually relieve low back pain for many people. Walking helps strengthen muscles in the lower body and upper body as well as improving balance and flexibility. It also promotes weight loss (which in turn reduces stress on joints), improves sleep quality by increasing melatonin production at night–and much more!

Watch out for signs of a more serious problem

But if you have severe low back pain, or signs of a serious lumbar spine injury, walking may not be a good idea for you. Look for symptoms such as pain that shoots down one leg into your foot or toes, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg or foot. In those cases, consider seeing a doctor or spine specialist first.

In general, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Conclusion

If you have low back pain, it’s important to know that walking can be a good way to get relief. It’s also important to talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program so they can help determine if walking is right for you and how much activity is appropriate.

We are looking for 5 patients with low back pain who want to get significantly better in the next 30 days, without cortisone shots, physical therapy, or surgery. Click this link and enter the term ‘Interested’ in the description box to learn more.

This post is meant for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.