Is Excessive Sitting Contributing to Your Chronic Back Pain?

When you think about the causes of back pain, your mind might go to something traumatic like a car accident or muscle strain from lifting something heavy. What happens when you’re moving isn’t the only thing that impacts your back, though. What you do while resting also plays a role in your spine health.

As a specialist in back pain, Patrick S. Hill, MD, has treated a broad range of spinal discomfort. In fact, at our Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California, office, Dr. Hill and our team can help you identify some of the more hidden causes of back pain. That includes sitting.

Sitting and back pain

Even though we say you “take a load off” when you sit, a sitting posture can actually strain the muscles of your back and put pressure on the discs that cushion your spine. That’s especially true if you sit for long periods without getting up. 

Plus, the way you sit matters. Improper posture can add pressure to certain parts of your body. Slouching forward while you sit, for example, can strain your lower back. 

Ultimately, if you deal with chronic back pain, the way that you sit might be contributing. Fortunately, making some changes can help.

Adjusting your setup for less pain

When it comes to sitting, you want to do two things: take regular breaks and give your body proper support.

When you deal with chronic back pain, try to minimize the amount of time you spend sitting. Ideally, aim to get up from your chair every 15 minutes. Don’t make it complicated. Simply stand up for a minute or go and get a glass of water to give your body a break.

When you sit, make sure your setup supports good posture. Most people benefit from adding lumbar support, especially if they have low back pain. Something like rolling up a towel or a blanket to place at the small of your back can help. 

Adjust your chair or find one that allows you to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a 90-degree angle. That way, your legs can help to support your back. 

Finally, if you work at a computer, elevate your monitor so you don’t have to tilt your neck down to see your screen. 

Try these adjustments for a few weeks to see if it alleviates your back pain. If you’re not getting relief, come see Dr. Hill. 

He can help you find the correct treatment to ease your discomfort, starting with more conservative options like physical therapy or pain medication. If that doesn’t work, he can explore more involved treatments with you, like interventional pain management. 

You don’t have to live with chronic back pain. To work with Dr. Hill to find the relief you deserve, call our office or schedule your appointment online today.