DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity. ↑ Grab this Headline Animator Related to Back Pain Sit Back, It's Better for Your Back Long Hours Sitting Up Straight May Cause Back Pain, Study Shows Nov. 29, 2006 -- Lean back before reading this; your back may thank you. A new study suggests that sitting upright for hours at a time -- for example, when working at a computer -- may lead to chronic back pain.

Instead, the best position for your back is somewhat reclined, sitting at a 135-degree angle rather than the 90-degree angle most office chairs are designed for. "A 135-degree body-thigh sitting posture was demonstrated to be the best biomechanical sitting position, as opposed to a 90-degree posture, which most people consider normal," says researcher Waseem Amir Bashir, MBChB, clinical fellow in the department of radiology and diagnostic imaging at the University of Alberta Hospital, Canada, in a news release. "Sitting in a sound anatomic position is essential, since the strain put on the spine and its associated ligaments over time can lead to pain, deformity and chronic illness." Bashir presented the results of the study this week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. Back pain is one of the most common causes of work-related disability in the U.S. and helping to identify bad seating postures may help protect the spine and prevent injury.

Using "positional" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) researchers studied the sitting positions of 22 healthy volunteers with no history of back pain. The MRI machine allowed freedom of motion, such as sitting or standing, during imaging. Conventional MRI machines require the patient to lie flat and may mask some causes of back pain. Researchers used the MRI to examine spinal positioning while the participants assumed three different sitting positions: slouching forward (such as hunched over a desk or video game console), an upright 90-degree sitting position, and a relaxed position with the back reclined backward about 135 degrees while the feet were still on the floor. Overall, researchers concluded that the 135-degree reclining position put the least stress on the spine and may reduce the risk of back pain. They recommend that people who sit for long periods of time correct their sitting posture and find a chair that allows them to recline. "This may be all that is necessary to prevent back pain, rather than trying to cure pain that has occurred over the long term due to bad postures," says Bashir.

"Employers could also reduce problems by providing their staff with more appropriate seating, thereby saving on the cost of lost work hours." I have a similar issue I've been working on.  Mine started 2 years ago.  I pulled my groin surfing, then tweaked my back a few weeks later doing a heavy clean.  Ever since, pelvic obliquity, SI, low back, QL, occasional baby toe tingling/numbness.  best ergonomic chair and deskLooking for reasons why the pain wouldn't go away, I found an inguinal hernia. buy cat wheelchairI'm not sure if they are related.  rocking chair rental for baby showerLong story short, I've developed some gnarly compensation patterns to protect the groin/hernia/SI all on the right side.  I think the key here was that I've continued to work around the injury, so my movement patterns have really changed.

I had a problem with my back also. In the past I had partially herniated discs in the last 3 vertebrae of my lumbar spine. it knocked me out for about 9 months from doing anything athletic. but through some PT it healed up so that it was pain-free, although i would get a flare up about 1-2x a year. My posture sucked but I didn't know it.  My first discoveries came from taking the Gokhale Method class with my mother. I had been over extended and didn't even know it. But it only gave me part of the solution. They have some good guides on how to figure out your best spinal alignment, working on torso bracing, and some good elements on hinging. I could have posted this myself, my situation is so similar.  I have been battling SI/Hip pain for about 6 months with little or no improvment.  Been through, Chiro, rolling, lacross ball, acupuncture, Deep tisue massage, MWod/Supple Leopard,  rest, but it always comes back after a few days of lower body movements that involve squatting position. 

It is very prevelant in any sitting position.  I almost feel like giving up its so frustrating.  I crossfit roughly 4-5 times a week.  Almost all of the pain is in the muscle between the SI Joint area and my side/hip.  Not sure if I am explaining this correctly but the pain travels along an area from the SI Joint along the top of the Gluteus Maximus then down into the side/hip area.  It does not go deep down into my leg and the pain is like a constant deep burn, never a very sharp debilitating pain.  I am open to any additional ideas and would love to know more about how to self evaluate posture such as David is refering too. So if I hijacked this post but it seems like many people are in similar situations and I'm just looking for any help I can find. This is right up my alley. I have been battling low back and SI since Oct of last year. started out with sciatica. Went to chiro and made adjustments but never would got better much. Went to my normal doc who thought it was more SI than a lumbar problem.

Tenderness over the glute and SI joint but no tenderness around the lumbar spine. Sent me for PT. Got a little better but the pain never went away. PT had me doing press ups and some stretching but again never really went away. My pain is sharp in my glute and sometimes goes around to my lateral hip ( right where my belt will sit.) Sometimes it will shoot down my quad and hamstrings. sometimes flank pain as well. Now I notice that it is radiating into my lower left abdominal area. I really think it is tight muscles but as much as I use the supernova, lacross ball and other mwod tools it eases but comes back. Training acutally makes it better. Once I get warm I'm good. still feel a little pull but no where near as bad as later in the day and when I wake up. Same when I getg up from a chair. first few mins suck but once I get to going its not as bad. This is an article that resonated with me about SI joint issues.  Use your judgement if it is right for you, maybe have a PT confirm your diagnosis.