Physical therapist Dr. Orit Hickman demonstrates what you should do in the case of “acute episodes” of sudden back pain causing your back to go out.

In the past, doctors recommended laying down and not moving until you started feeling better.

However, now doctors have found that not moving is one of the worst things one can do: it can stiffen back muscles and make them tenser and take longer to stop flaring.

The current recommended way to improve acute back pain are follows:
1. Don’t panic and start breathing easily, inhaling in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth 5 to 10 times.
2. Move gently. For instance, take a walk.
3. Meditate to calm your nervous system.
4. Apply heat or ice. Ice is recommended, since it is better for inflammation; try heat if ice does not work. Apply for no more than 15 minutes.

If after this you still feel pain, considering talking to a physical therapist. Pain Science Physical Therapy offers both inbuilding sessions and virtual sessions through telehealth. Learn more at https://www.painsciencept.com