04/08/2026
That phrase comes up a lot. Someone tweaks their back, and suddenly, sitting through a full workday becomes torture.
Here’s what is usually happening: when you injure your back, the muscles around your spine tense up as a protective mechanism. That is a smart response—your body is trying to keep you safe. However, if you simply rest and wait for it to settle, those muscles can remain tight and become weaker. They can lose some of their ability to support you properly.
So, you rest for a week or two. Maybe the sharp pain eases, but then you sit at your desk and—boom—it is back. Or perhaps it never fully went away.
Painkillers can mask what is happening underneath. Rest may help settle the initial flare-up, but it does not necessarily address the underlying issue: your back may have lost some of its resilience, strength, and support.
Back pain that does not improve with rest alone may indicate that the way your spine is moving, or the way your stabilising muscles are functioning, needs attention.
If sitting at work is still painful after an acute back injury, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify what is aggravating your symptoms and guide you through safe movement, treatment, and exercises to support your recovery.
Ready to get your back moving comfortably again? Book a physiotherapy appointment through the link to our website in our bio.
