Pampering can speed recovery from back pain

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Posted by zchelle

False. If you've ever strained your back, you know that on a scale of 1 to 10, the pain ranks a 692. It can be paralyzing making it difficult to walk, sit, get up, sleep or anything else. All you want to do is lie down, prop your head on some pillows, flick on the television and remain still. You can think of nothing better than having your spouse deliver ice packs, ibuprofen and the latest issue of reader's digest directly to your bed. But your spouse shouldn't play nurse. Why? Attentive mates may be doing the right thing emotionally, but by encouraging you to stay in bed they're doing the wrong thing physically. If you stay in bed more than two or three days, your back muscles weaken and can slow your recuperation. In order to recover from strain, your muscles need to grow stronger and stay active, and the only way they'll do that is by working, even if it's just a little bit. The best method : walking.