You may have heard the phrase sitting is the “new” smoking. While that is extreme, sitting does not do many good things for our body…and it can be bad for your back. Let me elaborate on why that is.

Gravity

It pushes down on the body each and every waking minute. What changes is the relative position of the body…sitting, standing, laying down. When we are in a seated position, gravity can rest upon the shoulders and start to compress the body down toward the floor. Now if a person sits tall, the relative force on the spine (and its joints) is tolerable. However, as most individuals sit in a slouched position, gravity now can put greater force on the lower back in particular when sitting with a slouched posture. This increased pressure can lead to increased stiffness and pain, especially for a person already living with back pain.

Nature of the back issue

Depending on what is going on with a person’s back, they very well may prefer one position or posture over another. Meaning they hurt more in one position vs another. In many cases, especially when a person is living with back and leg pain, it will be sitting is worst and walking is better. For these individuals, the stress of sitting with a “flexed” back can be quite irritating for the individuals. Comparatively speaking, a person’s pain with this type of condition tends to be RELATIVELY better. (Meaning if they had to pick one position, they would prefer stand or walking over sitting due to pain). This is very common and we should look to put our bodies in positions or postures that feel relatively better vs. worse.

Motion is Lotion

Our body is made for movement and sitting at a desk all day (day after day) does not promote optimal movement. The joints in the spine (like any joint) need to move and when we don’t move them, they become stiff. Then the stiffness begets soreness and potentially pain. Even when suffering with back pain, it is better to move than sit or lay. By getting moving, healing fluids are circulated in the body AND this movement also helps to loosen up stiff joints. Even if movement feels sore or hurts, it is still better and will promote faster healing than sitting or lying around.

BUT I need to sit (or drive for work)…OK…then taking time every 30-40 minutes to get up and move for even 2 minutes can be helpful. If unwilling to change positions frequently, the back troubles will likely persist longer and return more often.

Don’t take back pain sitting down. Get up and move for a healthier back.

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