“Rest is best for chronic pain”
By Matheus de Paiva, Exercise coach, BSc Physical Therapy, MSc Rehabilitation Science. Updated 2026-10-03.
For most chronic pain, staying active works better than resting. Long periods of rest tend to reduce strength and fitness, which can make pain and daily tasks harder.
What the research shows
Reviews comparing bed rest with staying active for low back pain found that people who stayed active had slightly less pain and better function.
An overview of Cochrane reviews found that physical activity and exercise can reduce pain severity and improve function across many chronic pain conditions, with few side effects.
Moving on a sore day
- Reduce the amount, keep the habit
- Choose gentle movement like walking or mobility work
- Short breaks from sitting help more than full rest
- Return to your usual plan as the flare settles
Common questions
Should I stop exercising during a flare?
Usually you scale down rather than stop. Lower the effort and volume, keep moving gently and build back up over a few days.
Sources
- Dahm et al. 2010, advice to rest in bed versus stay active (Cochrane)
- Geneen et al. 2017, physical activity for chronic pain (Cochrane overview)
These guides are general education and do not replace advice from your doctor or health team. True Pace does not diagnose or treat medical conditions.