Most people experience lower back pain at some time in their lives. At its best, it is a nuisance, but at its worst, it can be debilitating, robbing you of an active lifestyle. Various reasons can cause lower back pain, but the result is the same: discomfort, especially when sitting down.
Are you struggling with this affliction and having trouble seated at work or home? Fortunately, there are solutions to ease your discomfort, and you can learn to feel more at ease. Discover the most comfortable sitting positions for lower back pain and how to position your body better to limit discomfort.
Here are some comfortable sitting positions for lower back pain. Practice these sitting strategies and get the relief you need. You can concentrate on healing and living your best life!
Back Brace
Back braces are designed to give optimal support in the lumbar region regardless of sitting or standing. Often, a person experiences lower back pain from poor posture while standing, and then when they sit, it gets worse. When you are experiencing lower back pain, whether from an injury or chronic condition, the more support you can get, the better.
A back brace offers support, which you can wear all day if needed. This is an ideal medical tool for work when sitting for long periods, as it allows for free movement with extra support. They give you slight pressure on the torso to adjust posture and take tension off weakened or inflamed muscles.
Back braces provide overall stability for your back muscles, ligaments, and joints. Most back braces are made of soft material, so they don’t hurt.
Focus on Posture
Most people slump down and curve their spines when sitting down. You don’t naturally do this when standing, but once you are seated. Remember your posture when sitting down, whether in the car, at work, on the couch, or even on the floor.
A good seating posture has your body aligned in a neutral position; no slouching, arching, or leaning to one side. You can avoid undue spinal pressure, muscle tension, and circulation restrictions by orienting yourself upright.
Use Support
The best sitting position for lower back pain is supported in the lumbar region. This will bring your lower back in proper alignment and neutral to the rest of your back. If your car doesn’t have lumber support, you can use a pillow or sitting widget to redistribute the pressure on the area.
Engage Your Core
Your core muscles are deep within the abdominals and back and attach to your spine. They give you proper balance between the spine, pelvis, and kinetic chain. This relies on the spine from excessive loads and transferring them between the upper and lower back.
When you sit, engage your core to support and relieve the lower back. This is because, without it, your back will follow the path of least resistance and end up misaligned, putting more pressure on the lumbar region. A strong core will lessen this stress.
In The Car
We all spend time driving to work and home and running around doing errands and other leisure activities. When sitting behind the wheel, use any lumbar support the seat offers.
You can also bring a lumbar pillow and adjust the seat closer to the steering wheel rather than tilting forward. This will keep you in a neutral position.
On The Couch
Once we get home, clean up, and have a meal, we relax on the couch. However, if you have lower back pain, you need to sit properly here, too. Your couch should support your thighs and back so you don’t sink into it or slouch.
Soft but firm is what you want. Using foot su
pport like an ottoman is good for holding a good position and taking some of the load off your back. With a couch, you can change positions frequently, so move around when you need to to decrease your discomfort.
On The Floor
The floor is not suitable for sitting with a sore back because there is no support. You must recline or lean in an awkward position to support your body. Use your lumber pillow to support your lower back and keep yourself upright.
In a Chair
For chair use, you must keep your core engaged, focus on your posture, and use your lumber aid to ease the pain. It is smart to get a lumber pillow to take with you wherever you go. You can also get a dedicated one for work, in the car, and at home.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.