Did you know that walking in the sand can strengthen your lower extremities, build muscular endurance and burn excess calories? If you are looking for a way to exercise without overexerting yourself, sand walking is beneficial. You can enjoy sand walking on its own or as part of a customized exercise routine to help with your pain. 

Always discuss a new exercise with your pain management doctors in NJ to ensure that it is safe. If you are cleared for walking on the beach, here are some ways that it can support your lower extremities. 

Sand Walking and its Benefits for the Lower Extremities 

If you’ve ever walked along a New Jersey beach, you know how difficult it can be to keep a steady foot. The foot “sinks” into the sand, and this forces the muscles to work harder to get you to the next step. The energy that is required to walk on the beach is what gives sand walking its physical benefits, including stronger muscles, improved strength, and increased energy. 

Additional benefits to sand walking are: 

• Reduced stress. Most people walk barefoot in the sand, which is great for stress reduction. Studies find that “earthing” changes electrical activity in the brain, reducing stress and boosting immunity. 
• Self-movement. Sand is an unstable surface, so walking on it stimulates neuromuscular activity in the lower extremities. This can be incredibly helpful if you suffered an injury and your muscles now respond reflexively. 
• Calorie burning. Walking on sand requires a lot more energy, so you can burn more calories in the same amount of time as regular walking. Losing weight places less stress on the body and can reduce pain in the lower extremities. 

Getting Started with Sand Walking 

Before starting a sand walking routine, talk to your doctor to make sure this is a suitable form of pain management in NJ. Walking on sand is not for everyone, particularly those with knee problems. Walking on an unstable surface can put extra stress and tension on your knees. 

When you are cleared for sand walking, start slowly and work your way up. Ten minutes is usually a good time to start with and see how your body responds. As long as you are feeling good, and your pain is in control, you can progress to longer times. You might also find that walking on firmer sand near the water is easiest at first. Once you get more used to it, you can try walking or running on softer sand. 

To find out if walking on the beach is right for you, consult with your back pain doctor in NJ. Walking on sand can be beneficial for your mental and physical health, but it needs to be done right. If you go for too long or too hard, you run the risk of damaging your lower extremities. For more information about alternative pain treatment options, contact Jersey Rehab at one of our four locations.