Why lying in bed can make your back pain worse.

For a long time, the advice for back pain was simple: stay in bed and rest. But these days, we know that’s actually not the best idea.

Research shows that too much bed rest can slow down your recovery. When you lie around for too long, your muscles—especially the ones that support your spine—start to get weaker. And when those muscles weaken, it’s easier to injure your back again. On top of that, being inactive slows your blood flow, which your body needs to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Your joints and muscles literally need movement in order to be able to heal and recover.

That’s why we recommend getting up and moving (gently!) as soon as you can. Light activities like walking, stretching, or doing specific exercises designed just for you can help keep your joints flexible, strengthen your back, and speed up your recovery.

Moving also helps with the mental side of pain. If you avoid activity for too long, it can make you more anxious about doing anything—which can make the pain feel worse and harder to shake.

Bottom line? While taking it easy at first is okay, lying in bed for days isn’t the answer. We can help you stay active (safely) and use movement to heal, feel better, and get your life back on track.

In pain and not sure how to get moving again? Let’s change that.