Back pain has an impressive ability to turn perfectly ordinary objects into major strategic decisions.

The stairs. The car. Your shoes. The thing you've just dropped on the floor.

And when moving hurts, the obvious response can be:

I'd better rest until this goes away.

For many common cases of back pain, though, spending long periods in bed isn't usually the answer.

The NHS advises people with back pain to stay active and continue normal daily activities where possible, rather than remaining in bed for long periods.

Why movement can help

This doesn't mean ignoring pain and carrying on as though nothing has happened.

It means avoiding the other extreme: becoming frightened of movement altogether.

Gentle everyday activity can help keep the back moving and prevent the stiffness that can come from prolonged inactivity.

Walking may be enough to begin with.

The NHS also suggests activities such as walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates may help ease back pain, although you should stop an exercise if it makes the pain worse.

What about sitting?

If you spend much of the day at a desk, the answer isn't necessarily finding one magical sitting position and remaining there for eight hours.

Changing position and getting up regularly can be beneficial

Try making movement part of the working day rather than something reserved for the gym:

Stand up while making a phone call.

Walk around at lunchtime.

Get out of the chair regularly.

Take the longer route to the kettle.

Tiny movements aren't impressive.

But your back doesn't award medals.

When should you get help?

Most back pain improves within a few weeks, but there are circumstances where you shouldn't simply wait it out.

The NHS recommends seeking medical advice if the pain isn't improving after treating it at home for a few weeks, is stopping you doing everyday activities, is severe or getting worse, or you're worried about it.

There are also symptoms that require urgent or emergency medical attention, including certain combinations of weakness or numbness, bladder or bowel changes, chest pain, or back pain following a serious accident.

That's why an article like this can give general guidance, but it can't diagnose what's causing an individual's pain.

So: sofa or movement?

For an uncomplicated bout of back pain, the answer is often neither “push through everything” nor “don't move at all.”

Think:

Keep gently moving.

Continue normal activities where you reasonably can.

Don't spend days in bed.

Stop if an exercise significantly worsens the pain.

Get professional advice when something doesn't feel right or isn't improving.

Sometimes recovery starts with something considerably less dramatic than a treatment programme.

It starts by getting out of the chair.

NHS guidance on back pain