Why Sitting for Long Periods Causes Back Pain

Does your back hurt after sitting in place for an extended period? Research shows that four in five people will experience back pain at some point during their lifetime. If your job involves sitting for multiple consecutive hours, though, you can expect more severe and frequent episodes of back pain. Prolonged sitting is a leading risk factor for chronic back pain. To learn more about the link between sitting and back pain, keep reading.

Muscle Cramps

Your muscles are more likely to cramp up when sitting for an extended period. It may not happen immediately. But if you sit for six or more hours without standing up, you may experience muscle cramps in your back. These cramps can manifest in the form of lower back pain that radiates throughout your spinal column.

Increased Pressure on Spine 

Sitting will increase the amount of pressure on your spine, thereby making you more vulnerable to back pain. Sitting will compress the otherwise soft intervertebral discs within your spinal column. Research, in fact, shows that there's about 50 percent more pressure on these discs when sitting than when standing. Over time, this pressure can create painful inflammation.

No Lumbar Support

You may experience back pain when sitting in a chair that doesn't offer lumbar support. Lumbar refers to the lower region of your back  If your chair has a flat backrest, it may fail to support your lower back. When sitting in it, your lower back will slouch backwards while subsequently creating poor posture.

Fortunately, you can find chairs that offer lumbar support. Instead of a flat backrest, they have a curved backrest. The curved backrest sticks forward so that it will support your lower back.

Not Using Armrests

Assuming your chair has them, you should use the armrests. Most office chairs are designed with two armrests -- one on each side. Some office workers, as well as other workers who use these chairs, may raise the armrests to prevent them from getting in their way.

If you don't use the armrests, though, you may experience back pain. Your arms, of course, are connected to your shoulders. The armrests will support your arms so that they don't weigh down your shoulders. Allowing your hands to dangle from your sides means greater stress will be placed on your shoulders, which can lead to back pain.