What to do when your back hurts so much that you can’t get out of bed?

If your back suddenly hurts so much even to move up into a sitting position to get out of bed, it is likely that your spinal joints are severely inflamed and your back muscles are spasm-ing (twitching).

What you NEED to do for acute back pain

• Reduce the inflammation:
  • Either take an anti-inflammatory medication (tablet or injection). GP prescription may be required.
  • If it is too painful to even to go see the GP,
    • Apply a COLD press to the sore/painful area.
    • Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (e.g. Voltaren Gel / Tablet). This is a weaker form of anti-inflammatory medication than what you will get from your GP.
• Rest to let your body heal and reduce the inflammation naturally.

What NOT to do

• Apply Heat (either through a hot pack or some of heat-rub) You will further aggravate the inflammation.
• Massage the sore area.

See your physiotherapist only after your back pain doesn’t feel so sore or painful the day after.