Chronic back pain risk reduced with daily walking, study finds

Taking longer walks could actually improve back pain, according to a new study conducted by researchers in Norway. Chronic low back pain is a prevalent and costly condition that affects many individuals. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, aimed to investigate how regular physical activity, specifically accessible walking, could help reduce back pain.

The study involved more than 11,000 participants over the age of 20 who were asked to measure their daily walking volume and walking intensity. Participants were then required to report any instances of lower back pain lasting three months or longer in the past year.

The results of the study showed that walking for more than 100 minutes per day resulted in a 23% lower risk of pain compared to walking less than 78 minutes per day. Additionally, walking intensity was found to be associated with chronic lower back pain risk, although to a lesser degree than walking volume.

The researchers concluded that daily walking volume and walking intensity were inversely associated with the risk of chronic lower back pain. They also noted that walking volume may have a more pronounced benefit than walking intensity in reducing back pain.

Dr. Arthur L. Jenkins III, a board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of Jenkins NeuroSpine in New York City, confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that long walks are beneficial for back health, as long as there are no other orthopedic issues hindering the ability to walk. Dr. Jenkins recommended that patients engage their core muscles while walking to exercise more than just their legs and to straighten their backs.

Statistics show that more than one-quarter of Americans report experiencing chronic lower back or sciatic pain. The findings of this study suggest that policies and public health strategies promoting walking could help reduce the occurrence of chronic lower back pain.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment on their research findings.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.