If you’re like most people with lower back pain, you probably want to get some rest. Though some rest is fine and often recommended, too much rest isn’t good for your lower back or the muscles that support it. Overdoing it with the rest and relaxation may even make your back pain worse.
Muscles Become Weak with Rest
Excessive resting beyond a few days increases your risk of experiencing muscle weakness or atrophy from a lack of use. This progressive weakness can occur at a rate of about 2 percent per day from prolonged inactivity, further contributing to lower back pain and increasing your susceptibility to injury.
Added Weight Can Contribute to Lower Back Pain
If you make rest a habit because of your lower back pain, you may gain weight from those periods of inactivity. The excess weight can place extra stress on the joints and muscles near your lower back and make your pain worse during your daily movements.
Inactivity Can Lead to Surgery Complications
Should Los Angeles back surgery be something you’re considering in the near future for your lower back pain, too much rest beforehand may increase your risk of experiencing blood clots during the surgery and infection afterward. Inactivity may also make recovery difficult due to prolonged muscle weakness.
Bone Density May Decrease
Too much time resting due to lower back pain may gradually reduce your bone density. Loss of bone strength can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, a form of arthritis often affecting the spine and its accompanying joints.
Most instances of lower back pain are temporary. Other than rest, you may experience relief from the application of heat or ice or by performing gentle stretches to loosen tight muscles. If your lower back pain persists for more than a day or two or gets worse, see a board-certified back physician in Los Angeles.
If you’d like some suggestions about light exercises you can perform to stay active and alleviate some of your lower back pain, reach out to The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration. We specialize in spinal fusion surgery and fusion alternatives that have proven time and time again to help people start living pain-free lives. Call 310-828-7757 today to schedule your in-person evaluation.