Augusta Chiropractic Tip: Go out for a walk.
Every step counts! Walks are healthy. Walking is effective, even in small spurts.
Walking as exercise is a growing trend in Augusta and everywhere else. Walking is free and easy. It’s a physical activity that most everyone can do. Sadly only about 48% of adults get enough aerobic (activity that makes the heart pumping harder and blood vessels healthier) physical activity (1), so Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic recommends walking to all of our Augusta chiropractic patients particularly as they get over a back pain episode.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
Physical Activity Guidelines recommend just 2 and a half hours a week. (2) That is manageable! That can be broken down into smaller chunks like five 30-minute walks or longer walks with friends instead of coffee chats or dinners out. A walk while waiting to pick up kids at activities can work. 145 million adults walk as part of their physical activity plan. Others like some in Augusta walk for fun or transportation or exercise. 6 out of 10 walk for their aerobic physical activity. Others take ballroom dancing or gardening. (1) Brisk walking, running, jogging, swimming or biking are potential endeavors when walking becomes a bit too comfortable, but walking itself works|is]19] just fine!
WALKERS KEEP WALKING
The Journal of the American Medical Association published information about 1635 inactive adults from 70 to 89 years who were at risk of not being as mobile as they like (ie, their ability to walk without assistance). They were separated into two groups: walking (20-minutes-a-day walk) or education (reading material about healthy aging). The walking group had an 18% lower risk of major mobility disability at 2.6 years. The walkers could walk without assistance up to a quarter mile. (3) This is positive news!
A NEW WALKING PROGRAM: Motivators & Effects
What inspires you to exercise? Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is here to inspire you! A new report about outcomes of a 6-month program of walking listed what low back pain participants reported as motivators that prompted them to begin the walking program (back pain reduction and better overall healthy lifestyle), to adhere to the program (walking was seen as a safe exercise as opposed to high-impact exercise that they would avoid out of fear of making their pain worse), and to finish the program (accountability, enjoyment of the exercise and health benefits). (4) A recently designed study anticipates defining just how effective a walking and education program might be able to prevent low back pain recurrence as well as for cost. They are calling it WalkBack. (5) Such a suitable name! Effectiveness and cost-savings can also be motivators to stick to a walking program.
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
So if you are looking to add some physical activity to your life or you are trying to re-gain your physically active life after an injury, illness or bout of back pain, just walk (after you check with your Augusta chiropractor first!). It may well be just what you are looking for! Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Amanda Harris on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she explains treatment with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management that allowed a patient to walk again without a cane.
Contact Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic to set up your next appointment for personalized advice about incorporating walking into your chiropractic care plan.
