Swimming can alleviate low back pain
July 22, 2026 (Conversation) As we age, low back pain becomes more common. Between the ages 20 and 59, persistent low back pain (lasting more than three months) affects nearly one in five. While you may be tempted to reach for heat packs, medication or a massage, new evidence suggests that the common advice to go for a swim is much more effective. Until recently, there was no research to back up this advice. Our new trial shows for the first time that swimming can improve low back pain. What we did We recruited 76 adults aged 26 to 74