Don't stay in bed!
Evidence now shows that rest doesn't help recovery. Trying to reduce the pain by avoiding activity can lead to a much longer recovery time and possibly long-term back problems. Try and continue with your normal levels of day-to-day activities, using simple pain relief if needed. Try and get back to work - a gradual return with a modified daily routine will help recovery. The longer someone is off work with back pain the less likely they are to ever return. Often osteopathic and/or acupuncture treatment can help.
Do's
• Do stay active as usual, if possible. But see your doctor if you are worried about the back pain or if the pain persists or suddenly gets worse.
• Do take simple pain relief.
• Do speak to your employer or your safety representative and, if necessary, discuss what can be done to help you stay at work.
• Do find out about back pain.
Don'ts
• Don't take to your bed and wait for the pain to go away. The sooner you get back to normal activity the better.
• Don't worry. Back pain is rarely serious and unnecessary worry delays recovery.
• Don't avoid activity simply as a way of avoiding the pain - hurt does not always mean harm.
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