Here's How Long You Should Walk Every Day to Prevent Back Pain

"If back pain can be reliably prevented, not only will quality of life be improved, but it will also directly lead to a reduction in health care costs for society as a whole. According to the research team, back pain is one of the most common health problems in Norway, with 60-80 percent of people experiencing it during their lifetime. In fact, they say, back and neck pain have the highest medical costs and represent an enormous burden to the health care system."

"The causes of chronic lower back pain are complex. It is thought to develop from a combination of various factors, including aging, poor posture, muscle weakness, and psychological stress. Conventional treatments have focused on medication and physical therapy, making it difficult to reliably prevent recurrence. The effectiveness of walking, a simple and low-cost method, has now been demonstrated, which may spark a major change in common sense regarding lower back pain treatment."

"Small everyday changes, such as walking more when commuting or shopping, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can help prevent back pain. Even for those who already suffer from back pain, these can be effective ways to reduce the risk of recurrence. Wear shoes, go outside, and walk. This may be the first step toward a future free of back pain."

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in Norway, with 60-80 percent of people experiencing it during their lifetime. Back and neck pain incur the highest medical costs and impose an enormous burden on the health care system. Preventing back pain would improve quality of life and directly reduce societal health care costs. Chronic lower back pain arises from multiple factors including aging, poor posture, muscle weakness, and psychological stress. Conventional treatments emphasize medication and physical therapy and do not reliably prevent recurrence. Walking is an effective, low-cost preventive measure that also improves cardiopulmonary function, bone density, weight control, and mental health. Small daily increases in walking can lower recurrence risk.

Read at WIRED