Walking

[Tinkerbell]

Having read some of the comments over the last years or so, regarding aches and pains, I'll go back to the title of the thread:- Walking - an exercise. I've suffered myself for some months with pain in the left thigh (diagnosed by the doctor as sciatica, but as a muscle prob. by the physio). Acupuncture has made an enormous difference, and a short manipulation by a sports injury practitioner saw off the last of the discomfort last week.

However, what I did find during the months of treatment was that a short walk first thing made all the difference and made me much more mobile. Add to this the observance of Spring emerging with the sight of birds nests being built, butterflies, flowers etc. it was an excellent start to the day. If, for some reason I was unable to walk first thing in the a.m., the pain remained for much longer during the day. So the benefits were twofold - both physically beneficial and mentally uplifting. I rest my case re the benefits of walking!!

[Alan]

Yep we evolved into bipeds, so we're built to walk. It's only when we neglect this (in our modern lifestyles) that our muscles that support the spinal area weaken, and our weight rises, which can lead to years of pain and discomfort. I also agree that walking has a psychological effect which gives us the feel-good factor - a walk often solves many problems. It probably dates back to our hunter-gatherer origins.

If anyone has back problems, try this link:

www.sarahkey.com/index.cfm

But above all, get out and walk!

[cherrybee]

I also have back problems and an old injury in my left foot which after a long walk hurts like biillyo.I also suffer depression and have had 2 hernias.I have another hernia waiting an operation.Oh and asthma.My family says I need putting down .
I have avoided walking to far until I started on this site,now I cannot stay in.Although I come home exhausted and in pain it has been well worth the effort,I am now walking (with rest stops) for hours,my breathing is getting better my depression is better and I feel much fitter.My consultant wanted me to swim to build up my stomach muscles which are shot owing to 5 children ,but to go swimming regularly costs too much on a low income and our local pool uses too much chlorine so used to have an adverse affect on my asthma,when i went regularly i also got regular bad attacks.Walking is free (apart from a little petrol for my moped which takes me miles on £3)This gets me to lots of places and I don't get bored with the same place.Thanks to this site and my photography I am getting fitter and will be even better when the hernia is fixed so much less pain.Mind you I wont be able to do much when I have the op for a few weeks.I will go nuts.
I am living proof it is a wonderful exercise especially with a camera at the ready

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by cherrybee

.My consultant wanted me to swim to build up my stomach muscles which are shot owing to 5 children ,but to go swimming regularly costs too much on a low income and our local pool uses too much chlorine

I see lots of your photos are taken next to water-why not take a dip in the river?

[cherrybee]

Originally Posted by Imaginos

I see lots of your photos are taken next to water-why not take a dip in the river?

Bit cold haha afraid of making a spectacle of myself by screaming when something wriggly touches me.After being on this site and also seeing the state of some places no ta
Besides as I walk on a lot of common areas I also go up steep inclines and clamber over fallen trees,fight my way through bramble I can feel my tummy muscles by the end of the day as they are one of the many muscles that ache like billyo