Though many people believe that running is bad for their backs, Charlotte says that the reality is actually the opposite. She explains that “running regularly has a positive impact on the spine, because it strengthens the intervertebral discs”.

Those who experience back pain during or after a run are usually those who aren’t doing everything quite right. For those who “aren’t trained properly, push their limits too soon, don’t hydrate, and don’t warm up or stretch”, going for long runs can have unexpected consequences.

Charlotte says that it is the lower back which usually bears the brunt. At her clinic, she tends to find that this issue is a result of a person’s lifestyle. “Those patients are usually sedentary people who spend a lot of time behind the computer, sitting in a chair”. This can lead to tightness in the glutes and psoas muscles, which can be exacerbated by running.

Running: is running really bad for your back?