Is Activity or Rest Best for a Sore Lower Back?

If you have a sore lower back, is it better to rehabilitate by lying on the couch or by staying active? In the past, most doctors recommended that patients with sore back muscles take a few days off to rest in bed. Now, a new study confirms the new way of thinking about sore backs and activity. Staying active may be better.

Does Activity Make Sore Back Muscles Worse or Better?

A recent review of the Cochrane database – which analyzes the results of high quality medical studies – showed that resting on the couch or bed offers no advantages when it comes to soothing a sore lower back.

When bed rest was compared to normal activity, the results showed that those who stayed active experienced slightly greater pain reduction and improvement in their back pain symptoms than those who rested in bed.

For people with lower back pain with sciatica (back pain associated with nerve compression), both bed rest and activity were equal in terms of their effect on back pain symptoms.

Sore Lower Back?: Is It Best to Stay Active?

All in all, people with a sore lower back should stay active even if they have lower back pain with sciatica. Although people with sciatic lower back pain didn’t experience greater pain relief than those who stayed in bed, spending long periods of time in bed increases the risk of blood clots and makes muscles, including those in the lower back, stiffer which creates more discomfort. Too much bed rest also increases the risk of fatigue and depression. Over several weeks, too little activity can lead to muscle atrophy from lack of use.

What About Exercise for a Sore Lower Back?

One study showed that structured exercises for back pain offered no additional benefits in terms of pain relief or ability to function compared to simply staying active. Some doctors recommend gentle stretching exercises which may be helpful to some people with a sore lower back. Swimming is also a good way to stay active without risking further injury to sore back muscles.

The Bottom Line?

It’s better overall to stay active rather than lying in bed if you have a sore lower back. Be sure to talk to your doctor first – and don’t overdo it.

References:

Cochrane Database. “Advice to Rest in Bed Versus Advice to Stay Active for Acute Low-Back Pain and Sciatica”