Bed Rest May Not Be Helpful

Research conducted at the University of Queensland Medical School in Australia that shows that the time-honored practice of bed rest for illness may not be helpful.

The researchers examined all previous studies on the effectiveness of bed rest compared to patients who were up and moving around more quickly. The studies involved a total of 5,777 patients with a variety of 15 different health problems. The results showed that with many health conditions, as well as after several medical procedures such as heart catheterization, getting up quicker was more beneficial than bed rest.
Some of the health problems that benefited from moving around over bed rest included acute lower back pain, and increased blood pressure in pregnant women.

Bed Rest May Not Be Answer to Many Ailments

The study suggests that prolonged bed rest may not help and may even be harmful for may ailments. The article was based on researched done in the University of Queensland Medical School, Australia. In this research 5,777 patients with 15 different ailments were studied. Their comments were, “Overall, there was no evidence that bed rest has any significant effect beneficial effect when used as a treatment or when used after surgery. It may actually delay recovery and even harm the patient.” The study concluded that bed rest should no longer be used for ailments such as acute low back pain, hepatitis, or for recovery after a heart attack. The study also suggested that women are better off walking around during the early stages of labor as compared to hours of lying on their back.

“Patients suffering from low back pain tend to lose much needed muscle strength with every day of bed rest,” stated Dr. Steven Read, a Jacksonville, Florida chiropractor. “I make sure my low back pain patients refrain from total bed rest, it is imperative that they safely move around some,” added the Jacksonville chiropractor.

By: James Diesen

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dr. Steven Read is a 1988 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has been practicing in Jacksonville, FL for over 20 years. He is the clinic director for Ortega Chiropractic and Medical Rehab. He treats patients throughout Jacksonville. Please visit Chiropractor Jacksonville or Jacksonville chiropractor for free Initial Chiropractor Consolation.