People who run or walk regularly have healthier and stronger spinal discs than non-exercisers do. This is very reassuring because some doctors tell patients with back pain not to run because they think that the jarring of the foot striking the ground will damage discs and injure backs, even though there isn’t data to support such opinions.
That said, if your back hurts when you run, you should stop running. Walking will offer much of the same benefit with less jarring.
