Question: My back hurts when I have to sit for too long. What can I do to help it feel better?
Answer:
Back pain from sitting too long is such a common issue. While your back pain or discomfort is definitely your body’s way of asking you to do something, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong. Remaining in one position for a long time is hard on your body, so it makes sense that your body is asking for movement (and honestly, it’s probably right!)
Unfortunately, many of us have lives that don’t give us the option of not sitting for extended periods of time. In this situation, yoga therapy can help your back feel better, recover faster, and maybe even prevent back pain in the future.
From my perspective as a Yoga Therapist who helps back pain from sitting, I consider a few things in this situation:
- What can you do to feel better in the moment? This is probably what most people think of first, and what you were wondering when you asked this question.
- What can you do to prevent back pain from sitting in the future? I find that when you improve your connection with your body and build better overall function that often it can help prevent pain or increase your capacity for holding a seated position longer.
- How can you simply get more movement within the context of your actual life? In some cases, moving even a little bit more frequently can be enough to make a substantial difference.
For all of these, it’s important to be realistic and think about small (or even tiny) changes. For most of us, quitting our jobs isn’t an option. The most effective solutions are simple and easy to implement – for the simple reason that you will actually do them!
In the video below, I share a little bit about the different ways your spine moves and give some simple examples that you can use to help alleviate your back pain.
There’s no one stretch, movement, breathing practice, or meditation that will relieve everyone’s back pain from sitting because there are so many factors that can contribute to how your back feels. However, these four movements are a great place to start exploring to discover what works best for you!
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. The practice provided is intended as an exploration only, and may not be suitable for everyone. Always check with your medical provider about the suitability of new activities. If you need more support, get a professional assessment.
Do you get back pain from sitting too long? I can help you with that. Reach out for a consultation today!
