A recent study published in The Lancet offers promising news for those suffering from lower back pain, suggesting that regular walking can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Conducted by the Spinal Pain Research Group at Macquarie University, the ‘WalkBack’ clinical trial focused on adults across Australia who had recently recovered from non-specific lower back pain.
Participants were divided into two groups: one received an individualized walking program alongside physiotherapist-guided sessions, while the other served as the control with no specific intervention. Over three years, researchers tracked outcomes and found that those in the walking intervention group experienced almost double the time without recurring back pain compared to the control group (208 days vs. 112 days on average).
The study underscores the effectiveness of walking as a low-cost and accessible intervention for preventing back pain recurrence. Researchers highlighted the potential for similar benefits from other forms of exercise and emphasized the importance of combining physical activity with education to promote long-term health outcomes.
With back pain affecting millions globally, these findings could mark a significant advancement in managing this common health issue through simple, everyday activities like walking.