Is it better to sit or lay down with lower back pain?

If you're experiencing back pain when sitting, your impulse may be to lie down and then try to slowly progress back to sitting, says Dr. Atlas. But this is the wrong approach. You should lie down to relieve the pain, but the goal should be not to return to sitting, but rather to regain your ability to stand and move.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu

What is the best position for lower back pain?

Stand with your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward, weight balanced evenly on both feet, and your hips tucked in. Avoid standing in the same position for a long time. If possible, adjust the height of the work table to a comfortable level. When standing, try to elevate one foot by resting it on a stool or box.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

What should you not do with lower back pain?

6 things you shouldn't do when your back hurts
  • Avoid bed rest. When your back hurts, lying down might seem like a good plan. ...
  • Don't sleep on your stomach. ...
  • Stop lifting heavy things or twisting your back. ...
  • Refrain from repetitive bending or stooping. ...
  • Avoid sitting for long periods of time. ...
  • Avoid certain exercises.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on honorhealth.com

Is lower back pain worse when sitting or lying?

Intervertebral discs wear down and lose their ability to cushion the vertebrae. Discs can also become herniated or ruptured, causing a bulging disc that may compress spinal nerves and cause pain. The nerves may get more compressed when sitting, making back pain worse when lying down or sitting.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fyzical.com

Is lying down good for lower back pain?

If you have back pain, bed rest can be useful, especially if you are in severe pain while sitting and standing. But it's best to limit bed rest during the day to a few hours at a time, for no more than a couple of days. That's because too much time in bed can do more harm than good.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu

Lower Back Pain: Don't Lie Down

17 related questions found

What is the fastest way to relieve low back pain at home?

Remedies to Relieve Lower Back Pain
  1. Exercise to Loosen Muscles. Although it may seem counterintuitive to exercise when lower back pain is causing you grief, the right kind of movement can help eliminate the discomfort. ...
  2. Use Hot/Cold Treatments. ...
  3. Stretch More. ...
  4. Get Better Shoes. ...
  5. Reduce Your Stress. ...
  6. Get Better Sleep.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ntmconline.net

How do you heal lower back pain fast?

What are the most effective home remedies for lower back pain?
  1. Over-the-counter pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain medications often help relieve discomfort while you recover from a minor injury or strain. ...
  2. Hot and cold therapy. ...
  3. Gentle exercise.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on advocatehealth.com

How do you tell if lower back pain is muscle or disc?

Your spinal disc is at the bottom of your back, so if you have pain in your lower back, you may assume it is a slipped disc. Furthermore, the feeling of pain will differ between the two. Muscle pain will feel like post-workout soreness, while disc pain will feel debilitating and tingly.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on orthopedicandlaserspinesurgery.com

What kind of back pain is relieved by lying down?

Discogenic back pain usually manifests and lower back pain spasms. The pain usually gets worse when bending, sitting, or standing. Lying down may be the only position where you find relief.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on treatingpain.com

Why does sitting make lower back pain worse?

Additionally, sitting in a slouched position can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the spinal discs. Besides being uncomfortable, poor sitting posture and workplace ergonomics over time can damage spinal structures and contribute to recurrent episodes of neck or back pain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uclahealth.org

What aggravates lower back pain?

Things like poor sitting posture, repetitive bending, lifting heavy objects, and smoking can all worsen low back pain, for example. And even if you are getting treatment, it may persist if these and other factors continue to work against you.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

Should I go for a walk with lower back pain?

Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What is the single best exercise for lower back pain?

Walking, swimming, and biking may all help reduce back pain. Start with short sessions and build up over time. If your back is hurting, try swimming, where the water supports your body. Avoid any strokes that twist your body.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

How do I stretch out my lower back?

Lie on your back with your legs straight and your heels on the floor. Bring your right knee into your chest, using your hands to gently pull the back of your thigh. You should feel a stretch in the front of your left hip and lower back. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

How should I sit on my couch with lower back pain?

Start by standing in front of your sofa and push your bottom towards the edge of the backrest. Once you're in a sitting position, make sure your back is upright rather than hunched over. Lean back on the backrest with relaxed shoulders and don't keep your neck in an uncomfortable position.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthmatch.io

How long does it take for severe back pain to go away?

Acute (short-term) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. It usually resolves on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no long-term loss of function. Chronic back pain is pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ninds.nih.gov

What does a slipped disc feel like in lower back?

Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves. Weakness.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

How do I know if back pain is muscle or more serious?

Sharp pain rather than a dull ache: This could indicate a torn muscle or ligament, or a problem with an internal organ in the back or side. 2. Radiating pain: This pain "moves" or shoots to the glutes or legs, which could indicate a nerve compression condition. Radiating pain could be a sign of nerve damage.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on utswmed.org

What does a slipped disc in back feel like?

What does a slipped disc feel like? A slipped disc can cause sharp and severe back pain, which worsens when you're active. It might feel better when you're lying down. However, small motions like coughing or sneezing may cause the pain to return.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.mercy.com

How long should I rest for lower back pain?

Bed rest is usually considered an efficient treatment for acute low back pain. However, the optimal duration of bed rest is still being discussed. The recommended periods vary from 2 days to 2 weeks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What are 3 causes of lower back pain?

Common causes of chronic lower back pain
  • Herniated disk. "An adult's thoracic and lumbar spine is made up of about 17 bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another. ...
  • Facet joint damage. ...
  • Compression fracture. ...
  • Spinal stenosis. ...
  • Spondylolisthesis. ...
  • Scoliosis.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on houstonmethodist.org

Is heat or cold better for back pain?

Generally speaking, ice is better than heat for back pain that may be caused by an acute injury. The Cleveland Clinic says that, in the battle of back pain, “Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.”

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on phoenixspinesurgeon.com

How long does a strained back take to heal?

Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on shorelineortho.com

Will a massage help lower back pain?

Massage therapy can provide substantial healing and pain relief for many lower back problems. Specifically, for pain caused by a back strain, when the correct muscle is targeted, the pain can be controlled at its source—for quicker and lasting relief.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on spine-health.com

What pressure point relieves back pain?

Urinary bladder 23 (UB-23): Lower back point

Helps to relieve: Low back pain, weakness in low back muscles, and general tiredness (fatigue). How to find it: These 2 points are located on the lower back near the waist. The points are on each side of your spine, about 2 finger-widths away from the spine.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org