This information added to helpthyroid.com on Fri, 14 Aug 2009
Walking to Reduce Back Pain - Is this True?
Copyright © 2009 Ed Forteau
Have you ever considered walking to reduce back pain? Most likely, this did not cross your mind at all. Usually, when we experience back pain, we try to do less movements, the lesser the better. We end up lying on bed the whole day, rubbing ointments on our backs or using some sort of expensive contraptions to ease the back ache.
But the fact is, if you perform the proper technique in walking, you can lessen, or even eliminate your back pain and increase the overall strength and muscle definition of your lower back.
There are multiple studies that support this. One study claims that after less than 15 minutes on the treadmill, lower back pain was reduced significantly in the study\'s participants. Another research study shows that back pain in the lower regions dropped up to 50% after walking for a solid half hour.
But why does walking reduce back pain? - Walking actually helps you tone your leg muscles that greatly affect your lower back. If your leg muscles are strong, the stronger your lower back muscles also become. And the more toned your lower muscles are, the better support they provides to your spinal area.
- Walking releases what are called endorphins and serotonins which are chemicals that make you feel better physically.
- Walking is a form of distraction as you aim to balance yourself and work your way around objects. Distraction keeps your mind off of the pain which is something you cannot do while lying down.
However, the only way for walking to actually help reduce your back pain is for you to walk with proper posture and in the proper manner. Here is how...
- Stand up straight and tall, do not lean forward. Leaning is an actual cause of back pain.
- Do not look down, keep your eyes looking forward, approximately 15-20 feet ahead you.
- To help you look forward, keep your chin up, which means the chin is parallel to the ground.
- Keep your stomach tight.
- Your arms should form a right angle, moving in an opposite direction to your feet and your hands should be in a relaxed curl.
- When you start walking, do so with your heel to strike the ground first. Then roll that foot from your heel with your toe pushing off.
In order for one to perform the proper walking technique each and every time without having to think about it all the time, then you should consider purchasing a pair of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes. These shoes are strategically designed so that you will naturally fall into the proper walking posture. The unique soles allow you to rock or roll your foot to lessen the impact and at the same time these shoes keep you standing straight - a very crucial posture in order to reduce back aches. So if you are walking to reduce back pain, ensure that you have the proper shoes to help you out with this exercise.
About the author:
Ed Forteau is the co-publisher of WanderingEducators.com. We wrote an excellent review on MBT Shoes and the health benefits of using them. You can read is review here: http://www.wanderingeducators.com/marketplace/apparel/do-mbt-shoes-really-work.html
[Read more articles by Ed Forteau]
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