(661) 282-8584 contactus@ariptcare.com Fax: (661) 727-0005 Español
Book an Appointment

Patient Questions  /  Rest or keep moving?

Back

Should I Rest or Keep Moving When My Back Hurts?

For most back pain, keep moving. Medical guidelines recommend staying as active as you comfortably can, because bed rest tends to slow recovery. Gentle walking and normal daily activity, adjusted for pain, are usually the best start.

Request an Evaluation

Why bed rest isn't the answer

It's natural to want to lie down when your back hurts. But studies comparing bed rest with staying active found that people who kept up their normal activities, as much as pain allowed, recovered faster and had less pain later. Long periods of rest make muscles and joints stiffer and weaker, which can make the pain last longer.

A short rest to get through a bad flare is fine. The goal is to get moving again as soon as you can.

What to do in the first few days

  • Take short, easy walks several times a day, even just around the house.
  • Change positions often. Avoid sitting or lying in one position for too long.
  • Use heat if it helps you relax and move.
  • Keep doing daily tasks, modified as needed, rather than stopping everything.
  • Some soreness while moving is OK. Pain that eases or stays about the same is a good sign.

Most new back pain improves a lot within a few weeks. If it isn't improving, or it keeps coming back, that's a good time to get it checked.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels: get emergency care
  • Weakness in a leg or foot, or pain running down both legs
  • Fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
  • Back pain after a significant fall or accident

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist can show you which movements are safe to do now, give you exercises that ease pain and build strength, and help you get back to work, sports and daily life with less chance of the pain coming back.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Sciatica and back pain →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026