Living with back pain can be debilitating and have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. However, there are things a person can do and devices they can use to ease their back pain. For a start, getting up and out of the house may actually be able to help, in some cases. Continue reading this guide from Complete Care Shop to find out if walking can actually help with back pain.
Depending on the circumstances and the level of back pain or injury a person lives with, walking can be beneficial for easing pain in the back. It can be a helpful activity for alleviating back pain as it leads to the strengthening of muscles that support the spine. An increase in strength in back muscles can also positively impact posture.
Walking with a good posture, however strenuous, encourages a healthy alignment of the spine and, in turn, helps to reduce strain in the back. Regular walking can also aid with weight management which is beneficial if the cause of back pain is excess weight. Check out Complete Care Shop’s range of walking aids for back pain to get on your feet sooner.
Another positive aspect of walking is that it can provide natural pain relief by reducing any stiffness in the muscles around the spine and releasing endorphins within the body.
There are many advantages a person living with back pain can have by walking, including psychological benefits and better overall health and quality of life. It’s also free and can be done almost anywhere.
Going for a walk, whether it’s around the corner or in a forest, is a low-impact exercise that almost anybody can do. It places minimal stress on the spine, joints and muscles compared to a high-impact exercise like running.
Also, in addition to the physical benefits walking can have, it’s also good for the mind. Regular walks can help to reduce stress which improves a person’s mood, and may, as a result, help to manage chronic pain.
Add all this together and it’s clear that walking has the potential to greatly improve a person’s overall health and wellbeing, helping to alleviate the level of pain they’re feeling in their back.
Going for a walk may sound as simple as just heading out of the front door and wandering around. However, there are a number of things to think about first to make sure any back pain isn’t aggravated further. They are:
It’s important to maintain a good posture while walking, whether indoors or outdoors. Stand tall, engage the core muscles and avoid slouching. Poor posture can lead to worse back pain.
Strongly consider the type of surface the walk will take place on. Uneven terrain like cobblestones and hills can increase the risk of tripping which can further injure the back.
When walking outdoors, comfortable and supportive footwear should be prioritised. Unsupportive or unsafe footwear, such as sandals or flip-flops, can aggravate back pain and make the walk extremely painful.
While out walking, it’s important to start off easy and build up. Start with a slow pace and gradually increase it if your back allows you.
It’s also important to consider the amount of time you go for a walk. If it’s your first time in a while or you’re experiencing some back pain, try to take it easy and not head out on a miles-long walk. Once your endurance is built up, and your back is okay, you can steadily take longer walks.
Finally, it’s important to consult a medical professional and seek advice on walking if you live with a chronic health condition that leads to back pain. The last thing you want to do is aggravate an injury and cause further discomfort.
At Complete Care Shop, we’re passionate about helping people build up their independence. We can do this by providing exceptional walking aids for all. If you live with back pain and want to head outdoors for regular walks, but need some assistance, you can make use of our many walking sticks and canes, rollators and much more.
All of our mobility aids are designed to help you get back on your feet and improve your mobility. Take a look through what we have to find the right device for you, and contact us for some useful help and advice.
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