Management of Backache
Bed Rest
Treating an acute back injury is a balancing act between appropriate rest and keeping active without aggravating the symptoms. On the one hand, rest is often necessary to allow an irritable condition to settle down and to allow healing. On the other hand, the joints and discs in the spine rely on movement for nourishment.
The most common treatment doctors recommend for severe back pain is bed rest. Different people require different amounts of rest. Two to three days bed rest is adequate for most patients. Bed rest for longer than one week should generally be avoided because muscle weakness can develop due to disuse of muscles. Too much bed rest also causes the bones to lose calcium and is likely to make the back problem worse. During rest special pillows or a rolled towel or bedsheet can be used to give additional support to the neck, back or feet.
Depending on the severity of the injury, appropriate rest can mean anything from strict bed rest to avoiding strenuous work. If you are not on strict bed rest, remember:
a) Rest – Take frequent breaks and rest in a comfortable position.
b) Walk – As movement nourishes the spine, as soon as possible start with a short walk of 1-10 minutes and increase the time span as the condition improves
c) Listen to your body – modify or eliminate activities which aggravate the symptoms, e.g., sitting, lifting, driving, stop before your symptoms stop you.
