Why Sitting Down or Leaning Forward Sometimes Provides Relief

Many people who experience back pain tend to get relief from sitting down or leaning while sitting. This is because leaning opens the spinal canal and reduces pressure on the lower back, this also unloads irritated facet joints. The real question though is; should you be leaning or should you avoid leaning completely? This really all depends on the posture of your lean and how often you lean when you sit. Yes, there is a proper form to “leaning” believe it or not. Avoid leaning completely if you can, but if needed to relieve pain, do it by hinging your hips rather than rounding your back and keeping your spine in a neutral position with your chest open. Think about it like going from a 90-degree angle to a small acute angle rather than rounding out. Even if this is comfortable for your spine and back, the duration should be limited to just a few minutes, and you should also be alternating positions. A slight recline in your seat with good lumbar support provides safer and better relief for the back if that is an option for you. So, to sum it up, leaning is ok when done correctly and not for too long, but if you are experiencing ongoing pain, please feel free to reach out to Axis Spine and Orthopedics to schedule a consultation!