Bed Rest for Aches and Pains? Not an Effective Prescription

Bed rest has been recommended for many conditions, including low back pain and rheumatoid
arthritis. The idea of prescribing bed rest for illness perhaps stemmed from a quote
by the "father of medicine," Hippocrates: "In every movement of the body, whenever
one begins to endure pain, it will be relieved by rest."

Hippocrates' advice was proffered in the 4th century B.C., but the practice of prescribing
bed rest remains, despite little evidence of its effectiveness. In a review published
in the journal Lancet, authors evaluated 39 different studies on bed rest prescribed
for 15 different conditions, involving a total of 5,777 patients.

Results of the analysis revealed that bed rest was not an effective treatment recommendation.
In 24 trials investigating bed rest following a medical procedure, no patients improved
significantly and eight worsened significantly. And in 15 trials investigating bed
rest as a primary treatment, no patients improved significantly, while nine worsened
significantly.

Healing involves much more than rest, a fact which this study seems to emphasize but
which many doctors seem to ignore. Don't settle for quick medical advice (pills, bed
rest, etc.) that may end up doing more harm than good, or no good at all. Consult with
your doctor of chiropractic for information on active, noninvasive approaches to managing
a variety of health problems.

Allen C, Glasziou P, Del Mar C. Bed rest: a potentially harmful treatment needing more
careful evaluation. Lancet 1999: Vol. 354, pp1229-33.