Does walking help with chronic pain?

Walking is a great form of exercise for everyone and it can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic pain. Walking is a simple, gentle, and accessible form of physical activity that’s also relatively low impact and considered low-risk for previously sedentary individuals. Studies indicate that walking can be as beneficial for your health as more strenuous exercise such as running.

Walking is great for chronic pain as it alleviates pain symptoms, increases strength and physical function, improves sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety (and we know that stress can make us more sensitive to pain!). Even if walking doesn’t always decrease the pain itself, it plays an important role in pain self-management by improving many other aspects of our overall health and well-being. 

As always, when starting a new exercise regimen, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor or Aivo health coach. Remember to start slowly and listen to your body as you go. Once you’ve established a consistent routine, you can gradually modify the length and intensity of your walks as you get stronger.