[Written by Loan Cao]
Do you ever sit at your desk and start to notice a nagging pain in your lower back? That’s because when you’re sitting, your spine has 3 times more compressive forces on it than when you’re standing. These compressive forces significantly increase especially when your back is in a flexed or “slouched” position.
Back pain while sitting is a common issue that many people experience, often impairing daily activities and quality of life. One of the fundamental reasons for this discomfort is related to the health of our spinal discs. The discs act as cushion between the vertebrae, which help to absorb shock and allows for more flexibility and movement in the spine.
When your spine becomes compressed with daily activities, such as sitting, your disc can become dehydrated and lose elasticity. The gradual degeneration can result in a condition called degenerative disc disease, also known as DDD. In this condition, the intervertebral discs may become thinner and less resilient, which can lead to increased pressure on the surrounding structures, including nerves and joints.
This pressure can lead to pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling, weakness, and particularly pain when sitting for extended periods.
Spinal discs like distraction or decompression because it helps create space between the vertebrae, which can relieve pressure on the discs and allow better alignment. Distraction also facilitates fluid exchange within the discs. When the spine is distracted, it encourages the flow of nutrients and waste products in and out of the disc.
This process is essential for the health of the discs, as they do not have a direct blood supply and depend on this fluid exchange for nourishment and waste removal.
Generally, positions that cause discomfort with DDD include sitting for extended periods of time, bending forward or lifting heavy objects, twisting motions, and lying flat on your back. These positions tend to increase pressure or place additional strain on the spinal disc. If the spinal discs are already compromised due to degeneration, these positions can exacerbate pain.
On another note, positions that DDD generally likes include lying on your back with bent knees, lying on your side with a pillow between your knees, and sitting with good lumbar support. These positions alleviate back pain by promoting spinal alignment and reducing strain on the lower back
If none of these tips and tricks seem to be helping, seek out professional help from a back pain expert at Tandem during a Discovery Visit. We want to make sure that physical therapy is the right option for you. Call today to book your appointment at 504-407-3477.
Upcoming Workshop:
➔ Back Pain and Sciatica in April
Stay tuned for more information!