July 01, 2014

  1. Every step counts! Walks are healthy. Walking is effective, even in small spurts.

It’s an expanding trend in St Peters and everywhere else. Walking is free and easy.  It’s a physical activity that most anyone can do. Unfortunately only about 48% of adults get enough aerobic (activity that makes the heart pump harder and blood vessels healthier) physical activity (1), so Old Mill Chiropractic recommends walking to all of our St Peters chiropractic patients especially as they recover from a back pain episode.

Now, Physical Activity Guidelines suggest just 2 and a half hours a week. (2) That’s so straightforward! Old Mill Chiropractic suggests breaking it into tinier chunks like five 30 minute walks or walking instead of meeting for coffee or dinner. Walk while waiting to pick up kids at activities. 145 million adults walk as part of their physical activity plan. Others like some in St Peters walk for fun or transportation or exercise. 6 in 10 walk for their aerobic physical activity. Others take ballroom dancing or garden. (1) Brisk walking, running, jogging, swimming or biking are potential goals when walking becomes a bit too comfortable, but walking is just fine!

The Journal of the American Medical Association releases information about 1635 inactive adults from 70 to 89 years who were at risk of losing their mobility (ability to walk without assistance). They were split into two groups: 20-minutes-a-day walk or educational material about healthy aging. The walking group had an 18% lower risk of major mobility disability at 2.6 years. The walkers could walk without assistance up to a quarter mile. (3) This is positive news! Old Mill Chiropractic wants to see our senior St Peters patients do that!

So if you are looking to add some physical activity to your life or you are trying to re-gain your physically active life after an injury, illness or bout of back pain, just walk (after you check with your St Peters chiropractor first!).  It will do you good! Contact Old Mill Chiropractic today for individual advice about integrating walking with your chiropractic care.