If you’ve dealt with back pain before, you’ve heard this advice: “Just rest and let it heal.” It seems like that would make good sense, but for most active adults, it’s one of the biggest reasons pain sticks around. If your back pain is not improving, or keeps sticking around, this could be the reason.
I realize, when something hurts, your instinct is to protect it. You sit more, move less, and avoid anything that may make it worse. In the very early phase of an acute injury, this is exactly what you SHOULD do! The issue is staying in that early phase. That rest goes from days to weeks to months. This is not good.
Your body is meant to adapt to movement, not avoid movement. When you rest too long muscles get weaker, joints get stiffer, your body becomes more sensitive, and you lose capacity. If you are someone who is normally active, resting completely creates huge gaps between where you are and where you want to be.
The goal is not to avoid movement, but to find the right movement. The key is to keep moving, building strength where you need it. There are likely dysfunctional patterns on board, so improving HOW you move is also key. Then, gradually work back into the things you love doing.
If you haven’t already, check out our latest blog on The Top 5 Causes of Back Pain in Active Adults to understand what could be driving your pain.
If you’re tired of resting and not seeing progress, it might be time for a different plan. We’d love to help you figure out what’s actually going on and what will move you forward.
Dr. Rachel Atufunwa, PT, DPT