5 Health Benefits of Walking

5 Health Benefits of Walking That Every Chiropractic Patient Should Know

The case for walking in order to achieve better health is not new. Doctors and fitness experts have been touting walking benefits for decades. When you walk, you engage more than 200 muscles - this includes your pelvis and spine. This makes it an exceptional complement to chiropractic treatment. However, if you aren't convinced, these five compelling reasons why chiropractic patients should walk are sure to win you over. Studies published by researchers found that walking has many positive benefits for your health.

Help with Weight Management and Weight Loss

Carrying around excess weight can lead to back pain and impaired mobility. Fat around your middle, especially in the stomach area, throws your body off balance. There is extra weight in front and it pulls that portion of your body forward, causing a swayback effect.

The pain in the lower back that is caused by this pressure can be excruciating. Over the long term, this can cause damage to your spine and cause misalignment. While girdles or slings may help, the permanent remedy is to lose weight. A daily routine of walking is an excellent, low impact exercise that helps you to burn calories, lose weight, stay active, and stay healthy.

Better Mobility and Flexibility

As we age, we become less flexible and we don't have the mobility of youth. Walking daily will increase your circulation and that help improve flexibility and mobility.

Adding a little light stretching to the mix, along with regular chiropractic treatments, will give you a much better range of motion. Your posture will improve and you will reduce your chance of injury during physical activity. All of this greatly enhances your spinal health making brisk walking a great complement to chiropractic care.

Relief of Back Pain

Back pain is one of the top reasons that Americans miss work. Also, it is the number one cause of disability worldwide. Unfortunately, it is also expensive. Each year, Americans spend upwards of $50 billion trying to escape back pain.

Walking and exercising regularly are recommended by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) to help ease back pain. It is a very good, low impact exercise that helps you manage your weight and stay active. Excess weight can cause your back to hurt. Walking helps relieve back pain, but it can help to prevent it as well. Even daily walking for just 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week, is beneficial.

Spinal Disk Rehydration

There are small, fluid-filled discs that lie between each vertebra, acting as a cushion. As you move about during the day, gravity and certain movements cause your spinal disks to compress, squeezing the water out of them. This can lead to back pain and mobility issues.

The increased circulation from walking helps to force water into this area. The disks then absorb that water and are rehydrated. This allows them to continue doing what they are supposed to - act as shock absorbers for your spine. It also helps to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Improved Circulation

Good circulation is integral to spinal health, as well as a properly functioning central nervous system. When you walk, your circulation increases and allows your blood to carry vital nutrients to your spine, organs, and your entire body. The soft tissues are enriched and nourished as toxins are flushed out.

Another benefit of increased circulation is a decrease in blood pressure and blood sugar. It brings your body into balance so your muscles, ligaments, and joints are nourished. This, in turn, helps to make your chiropractic treatments more productive and beneficial.

Walking is beneficial for whole-body wellness. It can help to reduce your risk of many serious chronic diseases and health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It is also great for giving you a mental health boost and make you less prone to osteoporosis. Therefore, commit to walking just 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week. Try walking at a pace of 4 miles per hour. You will be astounded at the difference it will make to your overall health!

A daily walking program shouldn't bring you pain. Let us help you move better! Schedule an appointment today with one of our Fargo chiropractors.