The Bed Rest Myth
Myth: Bed rest is the best treatment for back pain
Reality: Staying in bed actually makes acute back pain worse, not better[1]. This advice persisted for decades despite lack of evidence.
Reality: Staying in bed actually makes acute back pain worse, not better[1]. This advice persisted for decades despite lack of evidence.
Sitting Posture Myths
Myth: Bad posture causes back pain
Reality: Despite widespread belief, research has not established that specific postures cause back pain[2]. What seems to matter more is movement variety - changing positions frequently.
Reality: Despite widespread belief, research has not established that specific postures cause back pain[2]. What seems to matter more is movement variety - changing positions frequently.
What Actually Helps
Multiple forms of exercise reduce pain and improve function in chronic low back pain[3]. The type of exercise matters less than doing some form of it.
Warning: About 90% of acute low back pain episodes improve significantly within 6 weeks regardless of treatment, though recurrence is common.
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References
- Dahm KT, Brurberg KG, Jamtvedt G, Hagen KB (2010). Advice to rest in bed versus advice to stay active for acute low-back pain and sciatica. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. [DOI]
- Swain CTV, Pan F, Owen PJ, Schmidt H, Belavy DL (2020). No consensus on causality of spine postures or physical exposure and low back pain: A systematic review of systematic reviews. Journal of Biomechanics. [DOI]
- Owen PJ, Miller CT, Mundell NL et al. (2020). Which specific modes of exercise training are most effective for treating low back pain? Network meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. [DOI]