Rest it or move it?

The advice on this reversed, and a lot of people never got the update.

Extended bed rest for ordinary back pain fell out of favour decades ago. Gentle movement, within what you can tolerate, is what tends to be recommended now.

Short walks

A few minutes, several times a day.

Change position often

No single position for long, including lying down.

Move within tolerance

Gentle is the point. Pushing through is not.

How long does it usually last?

Most ordinary episodes settle substantially within a few weeks. If it is not improving at all after two weeks, or it keeps returning, that is worth an in-person evaluation.

When should you see someone?

• Pain that lasts more than two weeks without improving
• Pain that wakes you at night
• Numbness or tingling down a leg
• Weakness in a leg or foot
• Any change in bladder or bowel control, which needs urgent attention

Any of these are worth an in-person evaluation rather than waiting it out.

How do you keep it from coming back?

• Keep moving in the days after an episode rather than resting up
• Break up long sitting
• Return to normal activity gradually rather than all at once
• Keep general activity going between episodes

Short walks beat lying still

On a sore week, a slow loop on the hills on the east side of the river is usually the better call than another day flat. Gentle movement keeps things loose while it settles.

Should I rest in bed with back pain?

Extended bed rest fell out of favour decades ago. Gentle movement within tolerance is what tends to be recommended now.

How long does an episode of back pain last?

Most settle substantially within a few weeks. No improvement after two weeks is worth having looked at.

Is it bad to keep moving with a sore back?

Gentle movement within what you can tolerate is generally the recommendation. Pushing through significant pain is not the same thing.

When is back pain an emergency?

Any change in bladder or bowel control needs urgent attention. So does sudden significant weakness in a leg.

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