Lower Back Pain Reduced By Simple Exercises Reports British Medical Journal

A British study finds a combination of two simple exercizes can reduce lower back pain.Photo byImage by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay

Individuals with chronic, nonspecific lower back pain experienced significant pain relief by following a structured run-walk 12-week program. The findings were reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. (Published October 7, 2024)

At the end of the 12 week test period, participants in the program scored their pain level an average 15.3 points lower on a 100-point scale. The mean age of the participants was 33.

The study's authors noted some negative results as well. Of the 20 patients assigned to the program, nine experienced adverse effects that were considered "likely study-related." These included seven cases of knee and/or ankle pain and one of cardiac syncope. The ninth individual experienced worsened back pain.

That said, the study's authors concluded that a run–walk program was considered an acceptable intervention by the participants to improve the pain intensity and disability in individuals aged 18–45 years with non-specific chronic loweer back pain. They added that "an individualised and conservative run–walk program should be considered a suitable form of physical activity for adults with chronic lower back pain."