Rest may not be best for sciatica
26 April 2002
Bed rest is not usually necessary for people with sciatica, say Cochrane reviewers.
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation aimed at helping people make well-informed decisions about healthcare by undertaking scientific reviews of evidence for certain treatments.
They recommended people with sciatica remain active, despite evidence showing little or no benefit over bed rest (Issue 2: 2002).
If there is no major difference between advice to stay active and advice to rest in bed, and there are potential harmful effects of prolonged bed rest, then it is reasonable to advise people ...to stay active,' the authors said.
Four trials, involving a total of 491 patients, were included in the review.
This latest advice follows an earlier Cochrane recommendation that people with acute low back pain should stay active.
Last Reviewed: 26 April 2002
- Medical Observer Weekly 26/04/02
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