Sit as little as possible, and only for short periods of time (10 to 15 minutes). Sit with a back support (such as a rolled-up towel) at the curve of your back. Keep your hips and knees at a right angle. (Use a foot rest or stool if necessary.)
You should lie down to relieve the pain, but the goal should be not to return to sitting, but rather to regain your ability to stand and move. "The goal isn't to get into the chair.
When our back is in its ideal position, with us standing straight up or lying flat, we're placing the least amount of pressure on the discs between vertebrae. When we sit down and cause the back to curve, we add close to 50 percent as much pressure to these discs as when we're standing.
The researchers found that the upright position, at 90 degrees, caused disks to move the most, while the relaxed position (135 degrees) caused disks to move the least. In other words, the upright position is the worst for the back, while the relaxed position is the best.
Low back pain that gets worse with sitting may indicate a herniated lumbar disc (one of the discs in the lower part of the back). This is because certain positions of the body can change the amount of pressure that an out-of-place disc can press on a nerve.
The optimal sitting position is achieved by keeping the spine in what is known as a neutral position, whilst positioning the legs so your feet are flat on the floor, with feet and knees roughly hip width apart, and maintaining correct arm posture.
If you look at the chart, you can see that laying flat on your back is the position of least pressure. Even laying on your side is appreciably more stress than laying flat. At the other end of the spectrum, sitting while leaning forward and lifting weight puts the most strain across your back.
Walking is one of the best things you can do for your back, both to help relieve a current flare-up and prevent future pain episodes. "We're not designed to be sedentary. Back muscles respond best when you use them regularly — and walking is a big part of that."
The ideal seating position for your posture is with your feet flat on the floor and your back fully supported by the sofa or some cushions. In this position, the body is in perfect alignment with your head in line with your shoulders and spine and your hips level to your knees.
Radiating pain
Strained muscles cause localized pain (at the site of the injury), but the pain can sometimes radiate to your buttocks. However, if you find that your pain runs from your buttocks and down through your leg, you might be dealing with sciatica or even a herniated disc in your lumbar spine.
Bed rest is usually considered an efficient treatment for acute low back pain. However, the optimal duration of bed rest is still being discussed. The recommended periods vary from 2 days to 2 weeks.
It can result from a strain (injury) to muscles or tendons in the back. Other causes include arthritis, structural problems and disk injuries. Pain often gets better with rest, physical therapy and medication. Reduce your risk of low back pain by keeping at a healthy weight and staying active.
Sit Hunched
It goes against the natural alignment of your spine. Slumping forward also puts more pressure on your lower back. Gently stretch and move your head and neck up and down and to the right and left every half-hour.
It can be challenging to get up and move when back pain strikes. However, a short walk, aerobics, yoga, water aerobics, swimming, or another low-impact activity can help alleviate back pain. Exercise may loosen tense muscles and release endorphins, the brain's natural pain relievers.
Your chair has a back.
You're going to want to sit as far back in your chair as possible, so your back is right up against the back of your chair — which, ideally, will have some kind of lumbar and neck support. Don't sit on the edge of your chair. Don't hunch over your computer.
Avoid: High-impact activities.
High impact exercises, such as jogging and high-impact aerobics, can put pressure on a disc and cause more injury. Also, avoid movements that cause twisting, such as golf, as it can up back pain pressure.
While lower back pain just above the buttocks can be a hassle to deal with, something as simple as a muscle strain or common conditions like sciatica or muscle spasms can cause it. Less vigorous activity and basic home care can reduce the pain from these conditions.
Acute (short-term) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. It usually resolves on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no long-term loss of function. Chronic back pain is pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated.
Information. A common myth about back pain is that you need to rest and avoid activity for a long time. In fact, doctors do not recommend bed rest. If you have no sign of a serious cause for your back pain (such as loss of bowel or bladder control, weakness, weight loss, or fever), stay as active as possible.
Back pain accompanied by sensations of numbness, tingling or weakness could be a sign of nerve irritation or damage. This is especially true if the pain persists after taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Nerve pain is serious and can result in permanent damage or disability if left untreated.
Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.