I've been reading that bedrest is no longer recommended for back pain. Why?

First, it's important that if you have back pain, you get a doctor's opinion as to the best treatment for you. While some injuries may not need bedrest, this is not a one-size-fits-all type of treatment approach.

For those whose doctors have told them not to stay in bed, the reasons can be many. What researchers and doctors have found over the years is not moving doesn't add anything to the healing process of some back injuries and may slow it down. If your back injury is not aggravated by movement, your doctor will likely advise you to try to continue your daily activities as much as possible.

Idil Tekin, MD, et al. A Comparison of Conventional and Pulsed Radiofrequency Denervation in the Treatment of Chronic Facet Joint Pain. In Clinical Journal of Pain. July/August 2007. Vol. 23. No. 6. Pp. 524-529.