(NC)-Nearly everyone suffers from back pain at some time in their life, but contrary to popular belief, rest and relaxation may not be the best bet for recovery.
Mounting scientific evidence shows that resting for more than a day or two does not help; in fact, it can actually prolong the problem. The good news, according to the Workers' Compensation Board of B.C., is that by moving and staying active, you can help your back heal quicker.
"Progressive activity is an extremely important part of recovering from a back injury," says Dr. Don Graham, Director of Clinical Services for the WCB. "The quicker you get back to normal activity, the quicker you'll feel better."
When it comes to back pain, hurt does not necessarily mean harm. More than 90 percent of lower back pain cases have no specific cause (such as infection, osteoporosis, arthritis, etc.). In most cases the pain will subside without treatment in four to six weeks, but the way you handle your back pain in the early phase will have an impact on how long the pain continues, according to WCB research.
For general back pain, doctors recommend resuming moderate activity as soon as possible - even when your back still hurts. Exercise releases natural chemicals within the body that help reduce the pain. Activities such as walking, swimming, or riding a bike can speed up recovery and will not harm your back or make the overall condition worse.
Extended bed rest, on the other hand, is bad for your back because your muscles get stiff, your bones get weaker, you begin to lose your fitness and get depressed, the pain feels worse, and it's harder to get going again.
In most cases, back pain does not require specific medical treatment; however, you should see your doctor as soon as possible if you have severe pain that gets progressively worse, or have any of the following symptoms, which are rare but serious:
. Difficulty passing urine
. Numbness in your back passage or genitals
. Unsteadiness
. Numbness, weakness, or the feeling of pins and needles in both legs
For more information on the causes, prevention, and treatment of back pain, visit the Workers' Compensation Board's web site at www.worksafebc.com /back_at_work/default.asp.
