Lower Back Pain Relief Through Bed Rest
People who have
back pain should limit their bed rest to one to two days for
lower back pain relief. A 1996 Finnish study found that people who continued their activities without bed rest following the start of lower back pain appeared to have better back flexibility than those who rested in bed for a week. Other studies suggested that bed rest alone may make back pain worse and can lead to secondary complications, such as:
- Depression
- Decreased muscle tone
- Blood clots in the legs.
Patients should resume activities as soon as possible. Some doctors recommend that at night or during rest, patients should lie on one side with a pillow between their knees or lie on their back and put a pillow beneath their knees.
Lower Back Pain Relief Through Exercise
Exercise may be the most effective way to provide lower back pain relief, speed recovery from lower back pain, and help strengthen back and abdominal muscles. Maintaining and building muscle strength is particularly important for people with skeletal irregularities. Doctors and physical therapists can provide a list of gentle exercises that help keep muscles moving and speed the recovery process. A routine of back-healthy activities may include:
- Stretching exercises
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga, which gently stretches muscles and eases pain
- Movement therapy to improve coordination and develop proper posture and muscle balance.
Any mild discomfort felt at the start of these exercises should disappear as muscles become stronger. However, if pain is more than mild and lasts more than 15 minutes during exercise, patients should stop exercising and contact their doctor.
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