Should I rest or move with back pain?
Most people get better sooner by staying active. Long rest does not help, as long as you have no warning signs.
When your back locks up, the first reaction is to lie down. That is natural, but doing it for long does not help.
The main advice
Stay active and keep up your daily activities as far as you can. Back pain usually gets better within a few weeks, though it can last longer or come back. With sciatica too, long periods of sitting or lying are not advised, and moving does no harm even if it hurts a little, and can help you recover.
What does that mean in practice?
- One bad day is fine, but do not make bed a plan for several days.
- Repeat a short walk several times a day.
- Break jobs into pieces and change position often.
- Use a heat pack for stiffness and an ice pack for pain and swelling.
- If an exercise makes pain worse, stop it.
About painkillers
Painkillers can help you move, but not every painkiller suits everyone. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you have another condition or take other medicines.
Who is this advice not for?
If you have numbness around the genitals, bladder or bowel problems, weakness in both legs, or pain after an accident, this advice is not for you and you need urgent assessment.
When should I book?
If you have not improved after a few weeks, if pain disrupts your day, or if you are worried, come and have it checked.