If your back hurts, it may feel like the couch is the best place to recover. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s consider the difference between “hurt” and “harm.” When something hurts, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is terribly wrong. For example, when you have a headache, it can be very painful. But it’s probably not a sign that you’ve damaged your head, right? Staying active might not feel great at first, and your back may still hurt. But if you don’t have any of the warning signs mentioned on page 4, you’re not likely to harm your back by moving.

You may need to take it easy when you’re having an episode of back pain, but don’t take it too easy! You can rest for a day or two, at most. But after that, the best thing you can do for your back is to start moving. Keep up with your normal activities, like work or household chores. You may need to start slow and ease into things. If you have a very physical job, ask co-workers for help or look for other ways to make your tasks easier to finish. There may also be safer ways to do your job, or devices that can help protect your back.