🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 170 (from laksa007)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa170.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain","crawl_time":1776920991,"first_indexed_time":1730504714,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,uclahealth!www,\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain s443","src_root_hash":"15898094397791395770","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Walking program alleviates chronic lower back pain | UCLA Health","meta_descriptions":["I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?\nDear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.\nIt is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.\nWalking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression.\nDue in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture.\nA contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk.\nWe hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you.\n(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c\/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#main-content)\n\nExplore links (header)\n\nExplore UCLA Health\n\n- [UCLA Health Home](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n- [Cancer Center](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer)\n- [Hospitals & Clinics](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n- [School of Medicine](https:\/\/medschool.ucla.edu\/)\n- [Academic Departments](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/departments)\n- [News & Insights](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n- [Community & Equity](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/community-equity)\n\n[Refer a Patient](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/healthcare-professionals)\n\nUniversal links (header)\n\n[myUCLAhealth](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/myuclahealth\/nojs \"myUCLAhealth Login.\")\n\n[Contact Us](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/contact-us)\n\nTranslate\n\n- [English](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [العربية](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [中文](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Italiano](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [日本語](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [한국어](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [فارسی](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Русский](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Español](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Tiếng Việt](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n\nTranslate\n\n- [English](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [العربية](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [中文](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Italiano](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [日本語](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [한국어](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [فارسی](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Русский](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Español](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n- [Tiếng Việt](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink)\n\n[![UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/themes\/custom\/uclahealth\/dist\/images\/ucla-health-logo.svg)](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/)\n\nPrimary navigation\n\n[Find Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n\n\\>\n\n- [Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers)\n- [Find a Location](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n- [Virtual Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments\/virtual-care)\n- [Make an Appointment](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n- [Second Opinion Consults](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments\/second-opinion-consults)\n- [Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/medical-services)\n- [Cancer Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer\/cancer-services)\n- [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/clinical-trials)\n- [Wellness & Routine Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/patient-education\/annual-health-wellness-screenings)\n\n[Patient Resources](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources)\n\n\\>\n\n- [Prepare for Your Visit](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/prepare-your-visit)\n- [Billing & Insurance](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance)\n- [Support & Information](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information)\n- [Patient Portal (myUCLAhealth) & Medical Records](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/medical-records)\n- [Help Paying Your Bill](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance\/financial-assistance-program\/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill)\n- [International Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/international-services)\n- [Patient Scam Alert](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/patient-scam-alert)\n\n[Locations](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search)\n\n\\>\n\n- [Immediate Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/immediate-care)\n- [Primary Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A741)\n- [Pediatric Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A781)\n- [Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer\/locations)\n- [Surgical Centers](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A761 \"See a list of outpatient surgical centers at UCLA Health\")\n- [Imaging\/Radiology](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A786)\n- [Hospitals](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A751)\n- [All Locations](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n\n[Discover](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n\n\\>\n\n- [About UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n- [News & Insights](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n- [Patient Stories](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A80636)\n- [Events Calendar](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/events)\n- [Donate to UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/giving)\n- [Work at UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/human-resources)\n- [For Health Care Professionals](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/healthcare-professionals)\n- [Connect with UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover-ucla-health\/connect)\n\n[Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers)\n\nPrimary navigation (mobile)\n\n[Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers)\n\n[Find Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n\n- [Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers)\n- [Find a Location](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n- [Virtual Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments\/virtual-care)\n- [Make an Appointment](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n- [Second Opinion Consults](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments\/second-opinion-consults)\n- [Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/medical-services)\n- [Cancer Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer\/cancer-services)\n- [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/clinical-trials)\n- [Wellness & Routine Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/patient-education\/annual-health-wellness-screenings)\n\n[Patient Resources](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources)\n\n- [Prepare for Your Visit](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/prepare-your-visit)\n- [Billing & Insurance](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance)\n- [Support & Information](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information)\n- [Patient Portal (myUCLAhealth) & Medical Records](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/medical-records)\n- [Help Paying Your Bill](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance\/financial-assistance-program\/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill)\n- [International Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/international-services)\n- [Patient Scam Alert](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/patient-scam-alert)\n\n[Locations](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search)\n\n- [Immediate Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/immediate-care)\n- [Primary Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A741)\n- [Pediatric Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A781)\n- [Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer\/locations)\n- [Surgical Centers](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A761 \"See a list of outpatient surgical centers at UCLA Health\")\n- [Imaging\/Radiology](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A786)\n- [Hospitals](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A751)\n- [All Locations](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n\n[Discover](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n\n- [About UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n- [News & Insights](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n- [Patient Stories](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A80636)\n- [Events Calendar](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/events)\n- [Donate to UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/giving)\n- [Work at UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/human-resources)\n- [For Health Care Professionals](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/healthcare-professionals)\n- [Connect with UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover-ucla-health\/connect)\n\nExplore links (mobile)\n\nExplore UCLA Health\n\n- [UCLA Health Home](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n- [Cancer Center](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/cancer)\n- [Hospitals & Clinics](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations)\n- [School of Medicine](https:\/\/medschool.ucla.edu\/)\n- [Academic Departments](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/departments)\n- [News & Insights](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n- [Community & Equity](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/community-equity)\n\n[Refer a Patient](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/healthcare-professionals)\n\nUniversal links (mobile)\n\n[myUCLAhealth](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/myuclahealth\/nojs \"myUCLAhealth Login.\")\n\n[Contact Us](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/contact-us)\n\nBreadcrumb\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/)\n2. [News & Insights](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n# Walking program alleviates chronic lower back pain\n\n![Lower back pain](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/landscape_3x2_016000_640x427\/public\/images\/fd\/istock-1462659377.jpeg?f=75ddbd46&itok=D12dT-6g)\n\nNovember 1, 2024\n\nBy Ask the Doctors\n\n3 min read\n\n**Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?**\n\nDear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.\n\nIt is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.\n\nWalking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression.\n\nDue in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture.\n\nA contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk.\n\nWe hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you.\n\n*(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c\/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)*\n\n## Take the Next Step\n**Learn more and talk to your** [**primary care**](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/medical-services\/primary-care) **provider.**\n\n## Book An Appointment\nSee a doctor, virtually or in-person, with our easy online booking options.\n\n[Schedule Now](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n## Related Content\n### Articles:\n- [Ask the Doctors](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/search?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A80081)\n- [Pain](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/search?f%5B0%5D=tag%3A81201)\n## Physicians\n![Eve M. Glazier, MD](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/square_006000_240x240\/public\/images\/glazier-eve-1285839852.jpg?h=6303ee9e&f=e6108873&itok=pHzdPEL8)\n\nEve M. Glazier, MD\n\nInternal Medicine\n\n[Eve M. Glazier, MD](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers\/eve-glazier)\n\n![Elizabeth Ko, MD](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/square_006000_240x240\/public\/images\/ko-elizabeth-1801189048.jpg?h=1d36513c&f=912d216b&itok=qCEsyLhv)\n\nElizabeth Ko, MD\n\nInternal Medicine\n\n[Elizabeth Ko, MD](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers\/elizabeth-ko)\n\nShare:\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain)\n- [X-Twitter](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain)\n\n## Related Articles\n![Weight loss](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320\/public\/images\/a2\/istock-1393991964.jpeg?f=3d5a1379&itok=KcR2IBB8)\n\n### [Researching GLP-1 drugs and Parkinson's progression](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/researching-glp-1-drugs-and-parkinsons-progression)\nApril 22, 2026\n\n3 min read\n\n![Image](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320\/public\/images\/0c\/istock-658476830-adobespark-1024x576.jpg?f=3f4150b4&itok=JQEBw23h)\n\n### [Eustachian tube dysfunction causes blockage](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/eustachian-tube-dysfunction-causes-blockage)\nApril 20, 2026\n\n3 min read\n\n![Older couple playing tennis](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320\/public\/images\/0f\/older-couple-tennis-court.jpg?f=78c386f1&itok=TAC7J06V)\n\n### [Super-agers have healthy cognitive function](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/article\/super-agers-have-healthy-cognitive-function)\nApril 17, 2026\n\n3 min read\n\n[View all Ask the Doctors articles](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/search\/?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A80081)\n\n[![UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/themes\/custom\/uclahealth\/dist\/images\/ucla-health-logo-footer.svg)](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/)\n\n- ### CONNECT WITH US\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/contact-us)\n  - [Share Your Feedback](https:\/\/connect.uclahealth.org\/send-a-care-compliment\/)\n  - [International Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/international-services)\n  - [中文](https:\/\/cn.uclahealth.org\/)\n  - [العربية](https:\/\/mena.uclahealth.org\/)\n  - [myUCLAhealth](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/myuclahealth\/nojs)\n  - [Get the UCLA Health Apps](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/apps)\n- ### FIND CARE\n  - [Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/providers)\n  - [Find a Location](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations \"\/patients-families\/find-a-location\")\n  - [Immediate Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/locations\/immediate-care)\n  - [Emergency Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/emergency)\n  - [Make an Appointment](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/find-care\/appointments)\n  - [Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/medical-services)\n  - [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/clinical-trials)\n- ### PATIENT RESOURCES\n  - [Prepare for Your Visit](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/prepare-your-visit)\n  - [Visitor Guidelines](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/visitor-guidelines)\n  - [Patient Education](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/patient-education)\n  - [Billing & Insurance](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance)\n  - [Help Paying Your Bill](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance\/financial-assistance-program\/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill)\n  - [Price Transparency](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/billing-insurance\/price-transparency\/machine-readable-files)\n  - [Support & Information](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information)\n  - [COVID-19 Info](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/treatment-options\/coronavirus)\n  - [Wellness & Routine Care](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/patient-education\/annual-health-wellness-screenings)\n- ### DISCOVER UCLA HEALTH\n  - [About UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about)\n  - [Departments](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/departments)\n  - [News, Insights and Patient Stories](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news)\n  - [For Health Care Professionals](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/healthcare-professionals)\n  - [Community, Equity and Inclusive Excellence](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/discover\/about\/hedi)\n  - [Contact Media Team](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/journalist-resources)\n  - [Donate to UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/giving)\n  - [Work at UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealthcareers.org\/)\n  - [Volunteer for UCLA Health](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/volunteer)\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uclahealth)\n- [X-Twitter](https:\/\/x.com\/uclahealth)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/instagram.com\/uclahealth)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/youtube.com\/ucla-health)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/linkedin.com\/company\/ucla-health)\n- [Weibo](https:\/\/weibo.com\/UCLAHealth)\n\n## Policy links (footer)\n- [HIPAA Notice](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/privacy-practices)\n- [Privacy Notice](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/privacy-notice)\n- [Nondiscrimination](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/nondiscrimination)\n- [Report Misconduct](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/reporting-misconduct)\n- [Accessibility](http:\/\/www.ucla.edu\/accessibility)\n- [We listen. We care.](https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/patient-resources\/support-information\/patient-experience\/we-listen-we-care)\n\n© 2026 UCLA Health","attrs_readable_markdown":"**Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?**\n\nDear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.\n\nIt is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.\n\nWalking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression.\n\nDue in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture.\n\nA contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk.\n\nWe hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you.\n\n*(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c\/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)*","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Health\":997,\"\/Health\/Health_Conditions\":952,\"\/Health\/Health_Conditions\/Pain_Management\":756}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":997,\"\/Article\/Tutorial_or_Guide\":554}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":995}","meta_language":"en","attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":0,"attrs_original_publish_time":1730504714,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"1354","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"556","body_ext_links_number":13,"body_int_links_number":74,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":1,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":76,"download_ttfb_msec":75,"download_size":18584}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain

Last Crawled

2026-04-23 05:09:51 (1 day ago)

First Indexed

2024-11-01 23:45:14 (1 year ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

Walking program alleviates chronic lower back pain | UCLA Health

Meta Description

I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?

Meta Canonical

null

Boilerpipe Text

Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be? Dear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts. It is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Walking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression. Due in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture. A contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk. We hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you. (Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)

Markdown

[Skip to main content](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#main-content) Explore links (header) Explore UCLA Health - [UCLA Health Home](https://www.uclahealth.org/) - [About Us](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [Cancer Center](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer) - [Hospitals & Clinics](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) - [School of Medicine](https://medschool.ucla.edu/) - [Academic Departments](https://www.uclahealth.org/departments) - [News & Insights](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) - [Community & Equity](https://www.uclahealth.org/community-equity) [Refer a Patient](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/healthcare-professionals) Universal links (header) [myUCLAhealth](https://www.uclahealth.org/myuclahealth/nojs "myUCLAhealth Login.") [Contact Us](https://www.uclahealth.org/contact-us) Translate - [English](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [العربية](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [中文](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Italiano](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [日本語](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [한국어](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [فارسی](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Русский](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Español](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Tiếng Việt](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) Translate - [English](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [العربية](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [中文](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Italiano](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [日本語](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [한국어](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [فارسی](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Русский](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Español](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) - [Tiếng Việt](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain#nolink) [![UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/themes/custom/uclahealth/dist/images/ucla-health-logo.svg)](https://www.uclahealth.org/) Primary navigation [Find Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) \> - [Find a Doctor](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers) - [Find a Location](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) - [Virtual Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments/virtual-care) - [Make an Appointment](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) - [Second Opinion Consults](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments/second-opinion-consults) - [Medical Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services) - [Cancer Medical Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer/cancer-services) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.uclahealth.org/clinical-trials) - [Wellness & Routine Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/patient-education/annual-health-wellness-screenings) [Patient Resources](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources) \> - [Prepare for Your Visit](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/prepare-your-visit) - [Billing & Insurance](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance) - [Support & Information](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information) - [Patient Portal (myUCLAhealth) & Medical Records](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/medical-records) - [Help Paying Your Bill](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance-program/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill) - [International Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/international-services) - [Patient Scam Alert](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/patient-scam-alert) [Locations](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search) \> - [Immediate Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/immediate-care) - [Primary Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A741) - [Pediatric Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A781) - [Cancer Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer/locations) - [Surgical Centers](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A761 "See a list of outpatient surgical centers at UCLA Health") - [Imaging/Radiology](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A786) - [Hospitals](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A751) - [All Locations](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) [Discover](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) \> - [About UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [News & Insights](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) - [Patient Stories](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A80636) - [Events Calendar](https://www.uclahealth.org/events) - [Donate to UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/giving) - [Work at UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/human-resources) - [For Health Care Professionals](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/healthcare-professionals) - [Connect with UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover-ucla-health/connect) [Find a Doctor](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers) Primary navigation (mobile) [Find a Doctor](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers) [Find Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) - [Find a Doctor](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers) - [Find a Location](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) - [Virtual Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments/virtual-care) - [Make an Appointment](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) - [Second Opinion Consults](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments/second-opinion-consults) - [Medical Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services) - [Cancer Medical Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer/cancer-services) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.uclahealth.org/clinical-trials) - [Wellness & Routine Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/patient-education/annual-health-wellness-screenings) [Patient Resources](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources) - [Prepare for Your Visit](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/prepare-your-visit) - [Billing & Insurance](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance) - [Support & Information](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information) - [Patient Portal (myUCLAhealth) & Medical Records](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/medical-records) - [Help Paying Your Bill](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance-program/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill) - [International Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/international-services) - [Patient Scam Alert](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/patient-scam-alert) [Locations](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search) - [Immediate Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/immediate-care) - [Primary Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A741) - [Pediatric Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A781) - [Cancer Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer/locations) - [Surgical Centers](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A761 "See a list of outpatient surgical centers at UCLA Health") - [Imaging/Radiology](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=type%3A786) - [Hospitals](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A751) - [All Locations](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) [Discover](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [About UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [News & Insights](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) - [Patient Stories](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/search?f%5B0%5D=type%3A80636) - [Events Calendar](https://www.uclahealth.org/events) - [Donate to UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/giving) - [Work at UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/human-resources) - [For Health Care Professionals](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/healthcare-professionals) - [Connect with UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover-ucla-health/connect) Explore links (mobile) Explore UCLA Health - [UCLA Health Home](https://www.uclahealth.org/) - [About Us](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [Cancer Center](https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer) - [Hospitals & Clinics](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations) - [School of Medicine](https://medschool.ucla.edu/) - [Academic Departments](https://www.uclahealth.org/departments) - [News & Insights](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) - [Community & Equity](https://www.uclahealth.org/community-equity) [Refer a Patient](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/healthcare-professionals) Universal links (mobile) [myUCLAhealth](https://www.uclahealth.org/myuclahealth/nojs "myUCLAhealth Login.") [Contact Us](https://www.uclahealth.org/contact-us) Breadcrumb 1. [Home](https://www.uclahealth.org/) 2. [News & Insights](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) # Walking program alleviates chronic lower back pain ![Lower back pain](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_016000_640x427/public/images/fd/istock-1462659377.jpeg?f=75ddbd46&itok=D12dT-6g) November 1, 2024 By Ask the Doctors 3 min read **Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?** Dear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts. It is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Walking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression. Due in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture. A contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk. We hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you. *(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)* ## Take the Next Step **Learn more and talk to your** [**primary care**](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/primary-care) **provider.** ## Book An Appointment See a doctor, virtually or in-person, with our easy online booking options. [Schedule Now](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) ## Related Content ### Articles: - [Ask the Doctors](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/search?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A80081) - [Pain](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/search?f%5B0%5D=tag%3A81201) ## Physicians ![Eve M. Glazier, MD](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_006000_240x240/public/images/glazier-eve-1285839852.jpg?h=6303ee9e&f=e6108873&itok=pHzdPEL8) Eve M. Glazier, MD Internal Medicine [Eve M. Glazier, MD](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/eve-glazier) ![Elizabeth Ko, MD](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_006000_240x240/public/images/ko-elizabeth-1801189048.jpg?h=1d36513c&f=912d216b&itok=qCEsyLhv) Elizabeth Ko, MD Internal Medicine [Elizabeth Ko, MD](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/elizabeth-ko) Share: - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain) - [X-Twitter](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uclahealth.org%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Fwalking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain) ## Related Articles ![Weight loss](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320/public/images/a2/istock-1393991964.jpeg?f=3d5a1379&itok=KcR2IBB8) ### [Researching GLP-1 drugs and Parkinson's progression](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/researching-glp-1-drugs-and-parkinsons-progression) April 22, 2026 3 min read ![Image](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320/public/images/0c/istock-658476830-adobespark-1024x576.jpg?f=3f4150b4&itok=JQEBw23h) ### [Eustachian tube dysfunction causes blockage](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eustachian-tube-dysfunction-causes-blockage) April 20, 2026 3 min read ![Older couple playing tennis](https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_012000_480x320/public/images/0f/older-couple-tennis-court.jpg?f=78c386f1&itok=TAC7J06V) ### [Super-agers have healthy cognitive function](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/super-agers-have-healthy-cognitive-function) April 17, 2026 3 min read [View all Ask the Doctors articles](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/search/?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A80081) [![UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/themes/custom/uclahealth/dist/images/ucla-health-logo-footer.svg)](https://www.uclahealth.org/) - ### CONNECT WITH US - [Contact Us](https://www.uclahealth.org/contact-us) - [Share Your Feedback](https://connect.uclahealth.org/send-a-care-compliment/) - [International Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/international-services) - [中文](https://cn.uclahealth.org/) - [العربية](https://mena.uclahealth.org/) - [myUCLAhealth](https://www.uclahealth.org/myuclahealth/nojs) - [Get the UCLA Health Apps](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/apps) - ### FIND CARE - [Find a Doctor](https://www.uclahealth.org/providers) - [Find a Location](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations "/patients-families/find-a-location") - [Immediate Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/immediate-care) - [Emergency Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/emergency) - [Make an Appointment](https://www.uclahealth.org/find-care/appointments) - [Medical Services](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.uclahealth.org/clinical-trials) - ### PATIENT RESOURCES - [Prepare for Your Visit](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/prepare-your-visit) - [Visitor Guidelines](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/visitor-guidelines) - [Patient Education](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/patient-education) - [Billing & Insurance](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance) - [Help Paying Your Bill](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance-program/hospital-services-help-paying-your-bill) - [Price Transparency](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance/price-transparency/machine-readable-files) - [Support & Information](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information) - [COVID-19 Info](https://www.uclahealth.org/treatment-options/coronavirus) - [Wellness & Routine Care](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/patient-education/annual-health-wellness-screenings) - ### DISCOVER UCLA HEALTH - [About UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about) - [Departments](https://www.uclahealth.org/departments) - [News, Insights and Patient Stories](https://www.uclahealth.org/news) - [For Health Care Professionals](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/healthcare-professionals) - [Community, Equity and Inclusive Excellence](https://www.uclahealth.org/discover/about/hedi) - [Contact Media Team](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/journalist-resources) - [Donate to UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/giving) - [Work at UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealthcareers.org/) - [Volunteer for UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/volunteer) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/uclahealth) - [X-Twitter](https://x.com/uclahealth) - [Instagram](https://instagram.com/uclahealth) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/ucla-health) - [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/ucla-health) - [Weibo](https://weibo.com/UCLAHealth) ## Policy links (footer) - [HIPAA Notice](https://www.uclahealth.org/privacy-practices) - [Privacy Notice](https://www.uclahealth.org/privacy-notice) - [Nondiscrimination](https://www.uclahealth.org/nondiscrimination) - [Report Misconduct](https://www.uclahealth.org/reporting-misconduct) - [Accessibility](http://www.ucla.edu/accessibility) - [We listen. We care.](https://www.uclahealth.org/patient-resources/support-information/patient-experience/we-listen-we-care) © 2026 UCLA Health

Readable Markdown

**Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?** Dear Reader: You have discovered one of the many -- so many! -- health benefits of walking. As primary care physicians, a large part of our jobs is helping the people we work with to achieve and maintain good health. That makes walking a topic that is near and dear to our hearts. It is easy to consider walking primarily as a means of locomotion. But it does so much more than get us from point A to point B. The process of walking places physical demands on the body that help us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Walking is dynamic, rhythmic and can easily become aerobic. Whether a gentle stroll or a speedy workout, it engages muscle groups throughout the body. You’re practicing balance when you walk and maintaining flexibility. Your lungs and heart are more active, and with every step, you are giving a boost to the movement of lymphatic fluid. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improves blood pressure, aids in blood sugar control and bolsters the immune system. As an added bonus, regular walking has been shown to be effective at improving sleep, memory and cognition, and also lifting mood and lowering the risk of depression. Due in part to our upright posture, lower back pain is common. Data show that up to 85% of us will deal with some form of back pain in our lifetimes. As anyone who has experienced it knows, lower back pain can flare unexpectedly, often in response to movement. This can make people leery of doing any kind of exercise, even when recommended by their doctors. The good news is that the vast majority of lower back pain -- the estimate is 90% -- is temporary. The not-so-good news is that having had a lower back injury, such as a sprain or strain or a slipped disc, puts you at risk of a recurrence. And that’s where the walking you are doing enters the picture. A contributing factor to low back pain is poor muscular support. This includes not just in the back, but also the muscles of the core. As you walk, you are exercising muscles that help stabilize, and thus protect, the spine. A recent study looked at 700 adults with chronic lower back pain. Half were asked to walk 30 minutes per day, five days a week. They also learned about the mechanics of back pain and strategies for recovery. At the end of three years, it turned out that the people in the walking group went twice as long without a recurrence of low back pain as those who did not walk. We hope that, even with your back pain gone, you will continue your walking program. Your back -- and the rest of your body -- will thank you. *(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)*

ML Classification

ML Categories

/Health		99.7%
/Health/Health_Conditions		95.2%
/Health/Health_Conditions/Pain_Management		75.6%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Health": 997,
    "/Health/Health_Conditions": 952,
    "/Health/Health_Conditions/Pain_Management": 756
}

ML Page Types

/Article		99.7%
/Article/Tutorial_or_Guide		55.4%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Article": 997,
    "/Article/Tutorial_or_Guide": 554
}

ML Intent Types

Informational

99.5%

Raw JSON

{
    "Informational": 995
}

Content Metadata

Language

Author

null

Publish Time

not set

Original Publish Time

2024-11-01 23:45:14 (1 year ago)

Republished

Word Count (Total)

1,354

Word Count (Content)

556

Links

External Links

Internal Links

Technical SEO

Meta Nofollow

Meta Noarchive

JS Rendered

Yes

Redirect Target

null

Performance

Download Time (ms)

TTFB (ms)

Download Size (bytes)

18,584

Shard

170 (laksa)

Root Hash

15898094397791395770

Unparsed URL

org,uclahealth!www,/news/article/walking-program-alleviates-chronic-lower-back-pain s443