Lumbago is usually characterised by intense pain in the lumbar vertebrae, or the lower back. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which estimates that more than 600 million people worldwide were affected by lower back pain in 2020.
This figure could rise to 843 million by 2050, owing in particular to the ageing of the population. This pain, which can affect mobility, has repercussions not only on quality of life but also on mental health, the global health authority explains
While treatments are available, individuals can also try to curb it themselves by modifying their lifestyle, particularly in terms of work ergonomics, diet, smoking, stress management and physical activity.
This last point interested researchers at Macquarie University, Australia, who conducted the world’s first trial on the impact of walking – an inherently accessible activity – on the recurrence of lower back pain. This research was carried out in response to a situation highlighted by the scientists: 70% of patients who recover from lower back pain relapse within a year.
The researchers included 701 participants aged over 18 in the trial, over 80% of whom were women. Half of them were randomly assigned to an individualised walking programme facilitated by a physiotherapist and six education sessions over a six-month period. The other half were assigned to a control group.
All adults included in this study were followed for one to three years, depending on their date of enrolment.
Published in The Lancet, the findings report a significant improvement in pain in the intervention group, but also a lower risk of recurrence.
“The intervention group had fewer occurrences of activity-limiting pain compared with the control group, and a longer average period before they had a recurrence, with a median of 208 days compared to 112 days,” said professor Mark Hancock of Macquarie University.
The scientist also highlights the advantages of walking, particularly in terms of accessibility: “Walking is a low-cost, widely accessible and simple exercise that almost anyone can engage in, regardless of age, geographic location or socioeconomic status.”
Numerous studies have already extolled the virtues of walking in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, combating excess weight and obesity, and improving mental health. Moreover, it can help reduce the broader impact of managing low back pain.
“The programme not only improved people’s quality of life, but it reduced their need both to seek healthcare support and the amount of time taken off work by approximately half,” said study lead author Dr Natasha Pocovi.
The researchers were not able to clearly explain the exact mechanism that enables walking to achieve such positive results for lower back pain. But they believe “it is likely to include the combination of gentle oscillatory movements, loading and strengthening the spinal structures and muscles, relaxation and stress relief, and the release of ‘feel-good’ endorphins”.