The older we get, the more likely we are to run the risk of experiencing chronic back pain. That risk really starts to increase once you’re past the age of 30. There are many factors that contribute to chronic back pain, including our weight and exercise habits.
We strongly associate a lack of exercise with excessive sitting. While it may be true that there is a correlation between the two, sitting for too long could be causing or exacerbating your pain unrelated to how much you exercise.
Is It Normal for Your Back to Hurt After Sitting Too Long?
It may sound counterintuitive to some, but sitting for too long, or incorrectly, can cause strain on your back. This is because your back requires support that you might not be providing.
It’s important to sit correctly, which means knees and hips are level, use armrests, and use a pillow or something comparable for your lower back to maintain the spinal curve while you sit. Otherwise, you run the risk of straining your back and exacerbating existing pain.
What Kind of Back Pain Is Worse with Sitting?
There are a number of conditions that are exacerbated by sitting. One of the most common is a herniated disc.
A herniated disc feels the least amount of pressure when lying down, but it endures the most pressure while sitting—even more than when standing. Similarly, sciatica, a condition where a pinched nerve causes leg pain, tends to worsen while sitting rather than standing or lying down. In fact, very few back conditions improve with sitting. One exception is spinal stenosis, a type of arthritis that can actually experience pain relief in this position.
How Can I Reverse the Effects of Sitting Too Long?
One important thing you can do to reverse some of the effects of sitting too long is to take the time to get up periodically. It’s important to change your position at least every half an hour, and if you’re able to get up and move from time to time, it should be encouraged. This includes taking breaks during long drives and making sure to get up periodically during a long flight.
Total Chiropractic Care Can Help You Manage Your Chronic Back Pain
There are many reasons we may find ourselves needing to sit for long periods of time, such as for our jobs, whether that’s time at a desk or sitting for our commute or work-related travel. We may also have many hobbies that include sitting.
If sitting is causing you chronic pain, you don’t have to take it anymore. Here at Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness, Dr. Goldman is ready and eager to help. We can work with using a combination of chiropractic care such as spinal manipulation, massage, and lifestyle advice to help continue your progress outside of our facility. You can improve your quality of life and get more out of it every day. Get started now by reaching out to us to set up an appointment.