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New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
Walking this much a day can lower your risk of lower back pain by 23%
Here's another reason to stop scrolling and start strolling. A new study found that walking every day can significantly reduce your risk of lower back pain, which is a major drain on wallets, well-being and workdays across the US. But there's a catch: how far you go and how fast you move makes all the difference in how much protection you'll actually get. Advertisement 3 Chronic back pain is a leading cause of disability in the US. fizkes – Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology analyzed data from more than 11,000 adults over the age of 20 who had no history of chronic back pain at the start of the study. Each participant wore an activity tracker for a week, logging how long and how briskly they walked. Researchers then followed up over four years to see who developed lower back pain. Advertisement By the end, the results were clear: 'The more steps the participants took, the less frequently they experienced back pain,' the study authors wrote. Those who walked between 78 and 100 minutes a day lowered their odds by 13%. For people who clocked over 100 minutes daily, the risk dropped by a whopping 23%. But it wasn't just about putting in time. Pace mattered, too. 3 Walking has been linked to a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. Prostock-studio – Advertisement Researchers found that participants who walked faster reduced their risk of developing lower back pain by 15% to 18% compared to slower walkers. Still, total time on your feet made the biggest difference. The lowest chances were seen in people who walked more and picked up the pace. 'This is an important finding because walking is a simple, low cost, and accessible activity that can be promoted widely to reduce the burden of low back pain,' Rayane Haddadj, lead author of the study, told CNN. 3 Chronic back pain is persistent for at least 12 consecutive weeks. amnaj – Advertisement Back pain is one of the top reasons Americans go to the doctor. Roughly 65 million Americans have had a recent flare up, and about 16 million suffer from chronic symptoms that interfere with their daily lives, according to Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute. Common causes include arthritis, herniated discs and injuries. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity also increase the risk. The ripple effects are serious. Back pain is a leading cause of disability and missed workdays in the US — and it takes a major toll on overall health. One in four sufferers say they're in poor physical condition, more than double the rate of their pain-free peers. But it's not just physical. Chronic back pain also affects people's social lives, relationships, and ability to enjoy everyday activities. Nearly three-quarters of adults with back pain report feeling sad, worthless or hopeless — and they're far more likely to battle depression, anger and stress than those without. Advertisement The price tag isn't small, either. Back pain is the sixth most expensive condition in the country, costing the US more than $12 billion a year in medical bills and lost productivity.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Walking can relieve your lower back pain, study reveals. But there is a catch
Walking can ease chronic lower back pain—but only if you hit the right time target. A Norwegian study tracking over 11,000 adults found those walking more than 100 minutes daily significantly lowered their risk. The research emphasizes consistency over speed, highlighting walking as a powerful, preventive tool in managing an increasingly common modern-day health concern. A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that walking at least 100 minutes a day can reduce the risk of chronic lower back pain by up to 24%. Researchers found duration mattered more than intensity. (Image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The golden threshold: 100+ minutes a day While walking may help prevent chronic back pain, experts warn it's no miracle cure — and certainly not a substitute for professional care when symptoms worsen. (Image :iStock) Back pain: A silent epidemic Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When walking isn't enough: Know the red flags Are treatments failing us? If you've ever been sidelined by that nagging lower back pain, here's some hope that doesn't involve endless pills, pricey physiotherapy sessions, or complicated yoga routines. According to a groundbreaking study published in JAMA Network Open, the humble act of walking — yes, just walking — could significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic lower back pain. But there's a catch: it's not just about walking more, it's about walking from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology tracked over 11,000 adults for four years using wearable tech to record their daily walking time and intensity. They discovered that those who walked between 101 and 124 minutes per day had a 23% lower risk of developing chronic lower back pain. Pushing that to 125 minutes or more brought the risk down by 24%.Surprisingly, how fast or how vigorously people walked mattered far less than simply how long they walked. In other words, it's not about breaking a sweat — it's about staying consistent and crossing that daily threshold.'These findings indicate that public health strategies promoting walking may help reduce the burden of chronic low back pain,' the study authors wrote, signalling a call for preventive action in daily routines rather than reactive back pain is no minor inconvenience — it's one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While it typically begins in older adults due to natural spinal wear and tear, it doesn't spare the young. Sedentary lifestyles, physically demanding jobs, poor posture, and improper lifting techniques contribute heavily, turning back pain into a widespread modern-day to NHS guidelines, pain that persists for over three months qualifies as chronic and often disrupts everyday activities like bending, lifting, or even standing. Physiotherapist Sammy Margo previously told The Sun that most back pain arises from strain on muscles or ligaments, caused by factors as basic as poor posture or lack of walking may help prevent chronic back pain, experts warn it's no miracle cure — and certainly not a substitute for professional care when symptoms worsen. If your back pain is sharp, radiates to other parts of your body, or is accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, it could indicate something more serious — even a heart attack. Immediate medical help should be pain with sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the genitals or buttocks, or persistent issues in men such as blood in urine and difficulty urinating could point to conditions like cauda equina syndrome or prostate cancer. In such cases, delay could be revelation about walking comes on the heels of another 2024 Australian study that found nine out of ten back pain treatments don't really work. That adds to the frustration of millions who try anti-inflammatory drugs, heat packs, and stretching, only to find little relief. The new research on walking thus feels like a back-to-basics revolution — you're looking for a natural, low-cost way to protect your spine, the solution may be as simple as lacing up your shoes and heading out for a brisk walk — for at least 100 minutes a day. While it won't cure every back issue, it's a proactive, science-backed step toward long-term relief. Just remember, it's not about the speed. It's about staying on your feet, moving steadily, and giving your back the support it needs — one step at a time.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Walking can relieve your lower back pain, study reveals. But there is a catch
If you've ever been sidelined by that nagging lower back pain, here's some hope that doesn't involve endless pills, pricey physiotherapy sessions, or complicated yoga routines. According to a groundbreaking study published in JAMA Network Open , the humble act of walking — yes, just walking — could significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic lower back pain. But there's a catch: it's not just about walking more, it's about walking enough. The golden threshold: 100+ minutes a day Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology tracked over 11,000 adults for four years using wearable tech to record their daily walking time and intensity. They discovered that those who walked between 101 and 124 minutes per day had a 23% lower risk of developing chronic lower back pain. Pushing that to 125 minutes or more brought the risk down by 24%. Surprisingly, how fast or how vigorously people walked mattered far less than simply how long they walked. In other words, it's not about breaking a sweat — it's about staying consistent and crossing that daily threshold. 'These findings indicate that public health strategies promoting walking may help reduce the burden of chronic low back pain,' the study authors wrote, signalling a call for preventive action in daily routines rather than reactive treatments. iStock While walking may help prevent chronic back pain, experts warn it's no miracle cure — and certainly not a substitute for professional care when symptoms worsen. (Image :iStock) Back pain: A silent epidemic Lower back pain is no minor inconvenience — it's one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While it typically begins in older adults due to natural spinal wear and tear, it doesn't spare the young. Sedentary lifestyles, physically demanding jobs, poor posture, and improper lifting techniques contribute heavily, turning back pain into a widespread modern-day affliction. You Might Also Like: Is your screen time destroying your spine? 'Tech neck' is the modern ailment you didn't know you had According to NHS guidelines, pain that persists for over three months qualifies as chronic and often disrupts everyday activities like bending, lifting, or even standing. Physiotherapist Sammy Margo previously told The Sun that most back pain arises from strain on muscles or ligaments, caused by factors as basic as poor posture or lack of movement. When walking isn't enough: Know the red flags While walking may help prevent chronic back pain, experts warn it's no miracle cure — and certainly not a substitute for professional care when symptoms worsen. If your back pain is sharp, radiates to other parts of your body, or is accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, it could indicate something more serious — even a heart attack. Immediate medical help should be sought. Back pain with sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the genitals or buttocks, or persistent issues in men such as blood in urine and difficulty urinating could point to conditions like cauda equina syndrome or prostate cancer. In such cases, delay could be dangerous. Are treatments failing us? This revelation about walking comes on the heels of another 2024 Australian study that found nine out of ten back pain treatments don't really work. That adds to the frustration of millions who try anti-inflammatory drugs, heat packs, and stretching, only to find little relief. The new research on walking thus feels like a back-to-basics revolution — literally. You Might Also Like: Can you cure back pain using mind hacks? Scientists say they are better than pills If you're looking for a natural, low-cost way to protect your spine, the solution may be as simple as lacing up your shoes and heading out for a brisk walk — for at least 100 minutes a day. While it won't cure every back issue, it's a proactive, science-backed step toward long-term relief. Just remember, it's not about the speed. It's about staying on your feet, moving steadily, and giving your back the support it needs — one step at a time.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make concerning discovery after examining blood samples from birds: 'We need to find out more about the sources'
As we gain more knowledge about the substances that make up our world, it gets easier to identify toxins that damage humans and wildlife. Unfortunately, we're finding these harmful substances in unexpected places and quantities, with negative impacts on our long-term health. One recent study, reported by Norwegian SciTech News, revealed that harmful PFAS are found in higher concentrations than we ever knew in China's birds — and the implications stretch worldwide. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology examined blood and liver samples from Chinese wading birds as well as shellfish from the areas where the birds feed. They were looking for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as "forever chemicals" because they take up to 1,000 years to break down naturally. The researchers already knew they would find PFAS in the birds, as these toxins have accumulated in all kinds of wildlife and even the human body. However, they were shocked by the quantities. "The biggest increase is in the livers of wading birds. We found up to 180 times more PFAS than previously," said postdoctoral fellow and lead author Junjie Zhang, per Norwegian SciTech News. PFAS have been linked to numerous health effects, including multiple forms of cancer, liver damage, cholesterol disorders, fertility problems, hormone disorders, developmental disorders in children, and immune system problems. Unfortunately, because of the way they build up in the environment and food sources, higher levels of PFAS in wildlife are likely to translate to higher levels in humans, especially when found in water sources where people drink and fish. The study didn't just identify a higher concentration of PFAS; it also piloted a new testing method developed by study co-author Lara Cioni called the "Total Oxidizable Precursor assay." This test shows some of the subgroups of PFAS that have been a primary focus and identifies substances that break down into them. Looking at the whole chain — both the toxic products and their previously lesser-known origins — gave researchers a fuller picture of where the toxins were coming from, which is vital information for prevention. "We need to find out more about the sources, but also about the effects PFAS have on wading birds, other animals and humans," said professor Veerle Jaspers of the Department of Chemistry at NTNU, per Norwegian SciTech News. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
‘Hidden risk' of widely-used prescription drugs — you're more likely to get the flu and Covid while on them
Since we take prescription drugs to feel better, it's alarming to think that some common ones can actually make you more sick. But that's precisely what a shocking new study out of Norway has revealed. 'We have found a surprising and potentially serious side effect of a class of anti-inflammatory drugs. They can help viruses spread more easily in the body,' Denis Kainov, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), said in a press release. Advertisement A new study has found some common drugs can actually make you more sick. Getty Images Janus kinase inhibitors — also known as JAKs — are commonly prescribed for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. You might know them by their brand names, such as Xeljanz, Olumiant and Rinvoq. But while they may ease inflammatory conditions, it seems they can also inflame your chances of catching a nasty bug. Advertisement 'Among the viruses that more easily affect the body with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,' Kainov said. Kainov and his team found that these drugs can suppress interferon-stimulated genes, which play a crucial role in the body's response to viral infections, thereby facilitating the spread of viruses. They therefore urge medical professionals to exercise caution when prescribing these drugs to patients who might be at risk. 'Among the viruses that more easily affect the body with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,' Kainov said. Getty Images Advertisement 'We recommend further studies to better understand how the drugs can be used optimally, especially during virus outbreaks or pandemics,' Aleksandr Ianevski, an NTNU researcher, said. JAKs aren't the only class of medication to make headlines recently for some unpleasant side effects. Other common drugs, such as statins — which are meant to lower cholesterol — and certain medications for high blood pressure have also been implicated in exposing patients to a higher risk of infection. Advertisement In a somewhat more bizarre twist, reports reviewed by the BBC suggest some common drugs that are meant to treat Parkinson's and other movement disorders have been pushing people into sexually deviant behavior. And the FDA recently issued a warning about generic versions of a widely-used hair loss drug — finasteride — that is frequently distributed by popular telehealth brands like Hims and Keeps, after dozens of users reported sexual dysfunction, brain fog and suicidal thoughts.
