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Use it or Lose it!

Still more research suggests that bed rest is a bad idea if you have low back pain.

A recent review by the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group¹ analyzed all randomized studies on low back pain up to March 2003. The research group was able to identify six trials comparing bed rest with staying active for the management of low back pain. They assessed the data and were able to make further conclusions about the pros and cons of bed rest.

Over the past decade there has been considerable evidence that bed rest is not beneficial. However, these findings had been question because the previous research did not differentiate between different types of low back pain. Some think that a supine position (lying on your back) minimizes the effects of gravity and pressure on the discs.

Here are the conclusions they reached:

• There is evidence that staying active is beneficial.
• Sciatica patients saw little to no benefit from bed rest.
• Bed rest lengthened the number of days of sick leave.

While not mentioned in the study, apparently the body uses movement to assist in the healing and recovery process. Thus, bed rest is not recommended.

¹Hagen KB, Jamtvedt G, Hilde G, Winnem MF. The updated Cochrane Review of bed rest for low back pain and sciatica. Spine, March 1, 2005;30(5):542-46.