Don t extend bed rest past 24 hours. Take a 20 to 30 minute walk three to four times daily. Restoring back health can be done by muscle- building activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Consult with your physician to establish a program that is best for your back. Studies have shown that no pain medication is very effective in controlling back pain, and despite significant potential complications, strong pain medications are no more effective than plain Tylenol or Advil.
Stronger analgesics can actually mask pain, interfere with recovery and sometimes be dangerous.
Notify your physician at Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies of any pain radiating into the lower extremities, loss of sensation, or change in bowel or bladder habits. Do not expect to find significant improvement in long-standing problems until after five to six weeks of therapeutic fitness training. Whether you have never had a back problem, or are experiencing your tenth attack, it is not too early or too late to think about taking better care of your back. Prevention Research has shown the best insurance against back trouble is exercising and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. A strengthening program can be individually designed in conjunction with your physician and therapist.