For those suffering with back pain, this article from The Conversation offers new insight.

Minimize bed rest and take short walks around the house if you’ve got low back pain.

“Severe low back pain is a common and dreaded problem that rivals only hay fever, asthma, hypertension and dermatitis as Australia’s leading cause of long-term illness.

“The instinctive response to severe pain is to rest the injured body part and reduce normal activities while it heals.

“But from the mid-1990s, studies comparing bed rest to more active treatment for acute back pain have reached the same conclusion: bed rest is not best for pack pain.

“Light activity – such as short walks around the house or sitting upright for brief periods throughout the day – reduces the requirement for medication, shortens absences from work and results in fewer visits to health-care professionals.

“Bed rest isn’t completely forbidden but we know it should be minimised to the shortest time possible. Understanding why it’s so important to remain active is more elusive. Read the entire article here.