We all think of sitting as a way to rest and give the feet a break. But what about when sitting becomes a cause of pain? This is more common than you might think. Pain when sitting affects 4 out of 5 adults at some point in their lives.
So, why does this happen? Why does something that is supposed to be relaxing become a common cause of pain?
Well, there are a few reasons why. Let’s take a look at the first and most common reason and then explore some potential medical causes as well.
Poor posture causes pain when sitting
When you sit — especially if you’re at a desk all day for work — you should keep your back straight and shoulders squared with your ears. Your feet need to be planted firmly on the ground and your hips and knees should be level. If you’re using a computer monitor, make sure it’s visible at eye level to help you avoid straining your neck by looking down at it all day.
When you do not sit with this kind of posture, you could be exerting strain on your muscles that causes pain to build up in your lower back or hips.
Additionally, sitting for too long causes the muscles to grow weaker and more tense, which increases pain and stiffness. Make sure you get up at least once per hour to stretch and move around to help reduce and prevent pain when sitting.
Medical reasons you have pain when sitting
Some other reasons you may have pain when sitting include:
- Herniated disc — The fluid from one of the discs between your vertebrae could escape, which causes pain and stiffness in the spine.
- Sciatica — Irritation of the sciatic nerve in your lower back and legs can cause pain when sitting.
- Spinal stenosis — Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of your spinal column, which increases pressure on your spine that may feel worse when sitting.
- Injury — An injury, such as a sprain or a strain, can cause prolonged back pain that feels worse when sitting.
Visit Panther Physical Therapy for lower back pain treatment
You shouldn’t always be in pain when sitting. If you are, it’s time to talk to someone about treatment. At Panther Physical Therapy, our team can examine your condition and guide you through a personalized treatment routine to help you manage your pain. Contact our team for more information about pain when sitting or to schedule an initial appointment.