Benefits of Walking for Musculoskeletal health?

Walking is a simple task that is both low force and easy to complete without the need for equipment. Exercise in general whether it be running swimming or walking are all great ways to help improve your health and wellbeing and should be implemented on a day to day basis!

What Are The Benefits of Walking?

• Walking helps decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke
• Decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes
• Walking increases mobility within the joints 
• Walking can have an effect on back pain and may reduce symptoms
• Walking is a great way of losing weight when paired with a diet
• Helps decrease stress
• Walking improves both energy levels and mood due to a release of endorphins
• Increases blood circulation throughout the body
• Increases mobility within the spine
• Increases flexibility and helps improve posture
• Helps strengthen low back and leg muscles to enhance spinal health
• Helps prevent low back pain and tension within the area

*Note: Outdoor exercise exposes you to the sun which enables the body to absorb Vitamin D which is essential for bone density (Don’t forget to SLIP SLOP SLAP!)

What are some simple ways to increase the amount of walking you do daily?

• Walking groups, walking with friends or family
• Walking the dog if possible
• Using an electronic ddevice that counts your steps to keep you motivated.
• Warming up/Cooling down at the gym on the treadmill helps increase overall steps
• Using timers/alarms to help you get up from your desk from long hours of seated activity to move around goes a long way when it comes to physical activity.

When is Walking Considered Not Advantageous?

• If you are wearing incorrect footwear (can cause plantar fasciitis)
• Existing conditions/injuries where walking can aggravate the area
• Acute inflammation of the lower limbs may cause more damage
• Tears in either the ankle or knee
• History of swelling or cold feet

Walking May Improve Medical Conditions Aswell!

Studies have shown that people who suffer with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can benefit from physical activity as it helps support the cardiovascular system and strengthen it to improve circulation around the body!

Walking is also great for people suffering from osteoarthritis or any other bone degenerative diseases as low impact activities enable the body to renew areas of bone degeneration to help minimize the progressive degeneration occurring.

If you have any other questions or would like to book in an appointment don’t hesitate to give our team at The Melbourne Chiropractor a Call on 9302 1023 or alternatively can book online using the link below!