There is an age old debate. When you have low back pain, should you try to move, play sports and be as active as possible? Or should you stay home, get as much sitting time and rest as possible. Like many things to do with health, the answer is not always so simple.
Although the best advice should always be to listen to your body, sometimes the type of pain you feel can help you decide what is the best thing to do.
If you suffered some sort of trauma or accident that causes you to be immobile or unable to stand on your own, you should contact an ambulance or your local hospital immediately.
When you have pain, but it improves after a few minutes of walking, it often a good idea to go through the initial seconds/minutes of pain until you get a good walking rhythm and the pain goes away. Repeat several small walks daily, and never walk to complete fatigue.
If walking increases pain from the first step, and does not improve as you continue walking, it is best to rest, in the most comfortable position possible. Use a pillow or couch cushion behind your low back for support. When laying on your back, it may be easier to bend your knees. If lying on your side, it may help to put a large pillow or blankets between your knees.
These are a few general rules to follow. Although they can be useful to remember how to deal with future symptoms, it is important to contact your chiropractor for more detailed instructions on how to treat your specific complaint.
