Are you frustrated dealing with a herniated disc? Does your low back get irritated when you sit for long periods during work? You may be experiencing lumbar disc degeneration/damage. In this article, we will go over the various sitting positions that can alleviate your disc pressure.
Overview of the Lumbar Spine
The lumbar spine contains a total of 5 intervertebral discs situated between the vertebral bodies. The primary functions of these discs are to:
- Distribute compressive loads placed on the spine
- Act as shock absorption during stress/loads on the spine
- Maintain the distance between the vertebral bodies during movement
- Provide flexibility to the spine and prevent excessive movements
Disc Pressure Based on Sitting Position
Interpretation of Image Shown Above
For most sitting jobs, it is very easy to start slouching forward. If you look at the picture above, sitting in a slouched position (image on the right) will create 190% more disc pressure compared to standing. In contrast, sitting in a reclined position (image on the left) has very similar disc pressure as standing.
Tips to Alleviate Lumbar Disc Pressure
- Reclining on a chair creates less disc pressure compared to slouching forward
- Take frequent standing rest breaks
- Be aware of your sitting posture
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
A physical therapist can improve your lumbar joint mobility, open your lumbar disc space, improve your postural control muscles, improve lumbar range of motion, and alleviate back pain. If you are experiencing lumbar disc pain when sitting for long periods, call Respire Physical Therapy today at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an evaluation.
Tags: respirept, ptworks, Physical Therapy, backpain, physical therapist, disc herniation, healthy living, arlingtonva, alexandriava, fallschurchva
