How to Alleviate Lower Back Pain after Walking
Do you ever feel pain in your lower back after doing simple exercise, such as walking? Lower back pain after walking can affect many areas of life, making it hard to simply do everyday tasks.
What’s even more frustrating is that it can be hard to pinpoint the source of your pain. There are any number of factors that could be affecting your pain levels. Here are a few reasons you might be experiencing prolonged lower back pain, especially after walking.
Causes of Lower Back Pain after Walking
- Muscle Fatigue
Lower back pain after walking can sometimes be caused by inflammation from strained leg muscles. This can be a result of long periods of standing or walking. Being overweight can increase the risk of muscle fatigue as the body has to support more weight for these extended periods of time.
- Poor Posture
One of the biggest causes of lower back pain after walking is poor posture. This can lead to issues such as anterior pelvic tilt, where the pelvis rotates forward. This is often due to a lack of physical activity and excessive sitting, almost the opposite of muscle fatigue as discussed above.
- Degenerative Disc Disease
Sometimes lower back pain after walking can be an indication of a more serious concern, such as degenerative disc disease or sciatica. In these more extreme cases, stretching and physical therapy can be used to help relieve these symptoms.
Treatment for Lower Back Pain
If you’re reading this article, likely you already know you have lower back pain and want to know the solution. The most common treatments for lower back pain include the following:
- Physical therapy exercises
- Hot or cold therapy
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
More extreme measures such as muscle relaxants, topical creams, or cortisone injections can be used if the pain is severe. But finding the right treatment for your lower back pain is only the first step.
Preventing Lower Back Pain after Walking
The best way to avoid a whole lot of pain and hassle is to prevent lower back pain in the first place. Here are a few tips on how you can do that:
- Rest, rest, rest
One of the best ways to prevent lower back pain after walking is to make sure your body is getting the rest it needs. This allows your muscles time to heal and repair its normal wear and tear. If you have an injury already, don’t overextend your muscles.
- Exercise
Exercising for at least thirty minutes a day can reduce the risk of lower back pain after walking, as well as improve mobility in the muscles.
- Practice good posture
Pay attention to your posture by making sure your back is straight, and avoid slumping your shoulders as you walk or stand. Adjust your workstation so that the ergonomics are better. Your computer screen should be at eye level, and if you work standing up, wear well-cushioned shoes to support your weight.
- Lose weight
Extra weight can put undue stress on your spine and joints, leading to all kinds of pain in the back, as well as in the knees and ankles.
- Eat a balanced diet
Diet is a huge part of reducing inflammation and improving muscle strength in the body. Focusing on a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can improve lower back pain.
Physical Therapy without the Astronomical Costs
At Strive Direct Health, we offer osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) to relieve your symptoms. First, our healthcare professionals meet with you to diagnose the issue, and then we determine which treatment would be most effective for your lower back pain.
We operate using a membership model, which means you can join us today for a fraction of the cost of traditional healthcare. You won’t have to worry about dealing with the long waits, rushed appointments with band-aid answers, and excessive markup of services when you choose Strive Direct Health for your healthcare needs.
Join our Strive Direct Health family today by filling out our form and adding any additional members you want to cover. Then you will be all set to schedule your first appointment. It’s that easy!
Our team at Strive Direct can’t wait to help you reduce your back pain symptoms, all so you can get back on the road to health.
Contact us with any questions you might have about lower back pain after walking, physical therapy, or any other health concerns. We’re happy to chat with you before you make any commitments!
