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Home | Fix Back Problems | Stop Inflammation | Start Walking | Inversion Tables | My Story Here's A Back Pain Tip That EVERYONE Can Do ...Step 3: Why is something as simple as walking
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When I first hurt my back I could barely stand up, let alone walk. But the days of lying in a hospital bed for days in traction are long gone. So as soon as I was able to move around freely, I started walking.
At first, I just went from my house to the mailbox, not much more than 50 feet.
... Then I started walking around the block.
... Before long, I was able to walk for 20 minutes.
... And now I compete 5-6 times a year in 5k races - running races!
And I let my back tell me how far to go - when my back hurt, and my foot has more numbness, I walked shorter distances. When it felt good, I walked longer. When it felt great, I started running (but don't even think about running right now - I just want you to know that there is hope).
What makes walking so effective?
According to my chiropractor there are several reasons:
First of all, anyone can do it - and you can do it at a pace and distance that works for you. Plus, you don't need any special skills or equipment.
Second, it activates the muscles that stabilize your back, while you are in a natural position. Sitting too much is very bad for your back, so if you must sit for work, get up and walk around as much as possible (at least a few times) during the day.
Third, it nourishes the disks. As you walk the movement gently stimulates both your back muscles and your disks.
But as with any type of fitness program, be careful! If you are working with a doctor, make sure you get approval to start walking. If you are not working with a doctor, just be careful not to do too much too quickly and if it hurts then stop!
For me it was (and still is). I try to walk at least once a day, every day. Usually I take the dog for a walk at night.
The funny thing is, once I started walking, pretty quicky I realized just how "crooked" I walked. From years of different injuries to my back and knees, I had developed a real lazy way of walking. And after reading about how muscle imbalances helped lead to back injuries, I realized that even when I was healthy, people often asked if I was injured because I walked with a limp!
So the whole idea of muscle imbalances really began to make a lot of sense to me! Here are a few tips to help you get started on a walking program to help improve your back problems:
Exercise walking for better back health
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Here's a helpful tip for fixing your back pain If you look around for help to get rid of your back pain, you'll find lots of suggestions - some good, some not so good. I tried most of them after suffering a really painful herniated disk - chiropractic, medication, stretching, core exercises. But none of them really solved the problem. So I started looking for a better answer, and eventually found a back pain program that worked for me. It is called Lose The Back Pain. I was skeptical of buying something like this online, but I really needed help. Fortunately, it really works. Now I'm able to run, walk, lift weights, play with the kids. So if you really want to fix your back pain, give it a try and see how it works for you. |
Do yourself a big favor - get a really good pair of sneakers!
I've spent a lot of time trying to teach myself to walk straight and evenly - without limps, leans, and bad posture. But sometimes it's hard to remember. I've walked this way for many years, and it's hard to un-train and re-train my muscles.
Walking remains a big part of my rehab for my herniated disk. But if I wear an old pair of sneakers (or worse, my work shoes) I feel it in my lower back. So I always try to wear my good running shoes - which offer great cushioning even if you never intend to run. And they feel good on your feet, too. You can get a good pair without spending a fortune on a website like Zappos.com.
So if you're able to move around, walking is a great exercise for your back (just make sure not to go crazy and do too much too soon. Again, I make a point to try to walk every day, even if it's just a short walk around the block.
And it probably will stay that way for as long as I'm still able to walk!
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