Study suggests running good for discs in spine
Eve Glazier, M.D., and Elizabeth Ko, M.D. Elizabeth Ko, M.D. Dear Doctor: I just heard that instead of causing injuries, running may be good for your back. Is this true? If it is, I’m going to lace up my shoes and head back out to the trail! Dear Reader: Running is one of those physical activities that, over the years, has accrued an almost mind-bending cache of contradictory advice. So it’s no wonder that the results of a new study, which suggests that running can improve the health of the discs in your spine, have caught you by surprise. Let’s start with a look at the spinal column, which as we’ve said before is a marvel of engineering. With a minimum of moving parts, this gently s-shaped curve of bone, cartilage, collagen and protein gels supports the body and gives it structure. It allows multi-directional movement and protects the vital bundles of nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. The vertebrae are the series of load-bearing bones that articulate the spine. T