Back Pain

Should I stay in bed?

If your back pain is severe, your doctor may recommend a short period of bed rest. However, bed rest should be limited to 2 or 3 days. Lying down for longer periods may weaken muscles and bones and may slow your recovery.

Longer periods of bed rest not only do not provide relief from back pain, but often are harmful. Some physicians may not be aware yet that bed rest longer than 5 days leads to reduced muscle strength, a condition that prolongs pain and delays recovery. If muscle function does get worse, the back pain can become chronic.

If you feel that you must lie down, be sure to get up every few hours and walk around, even if walking makes your back hurt. Feeling some discomfort as you return to normal activity is common. The discomfort does not mean that you are hurting yourself.