One of the best things you can do to ease joint and back pain and ward off future ouches is so very simple: Just take it step by step. Prevention’s loyal readers are walking superfans, so we know you’re aware of the boundless benefits of walking—a regular routine keeps you fit and helps you maintain muscle strength (crucial during later-life years), and walking is fantastic for flexibility and balance. Yet here’s one win from walking that you might not know as much about: It’s a proven pain