Back Pain

What causes low back pain increased with sitting?

everytime I sit for more than a minute my low back hurts so incredibly bad. It radiates to the front of my lower abs what feels like under my hipbones. it hurts to move when I am laying down..what could cause this?

Public Comments

1. sitting improperly in a chair that is not well designed ergonomically. improper posture, or posture that is altered by other factors, like those with a large belly from being obese or pregnant, often get lower back pain because the weight in front pulls the spine out of alignment. Wearing high heels will also do the same sort of thing.
2. Vesper, the answer to sitting is a fairly simple one. The vertebrae are a column and supported at the bottom by the legs and pelvis. When you are sitting the pressure is directly sent up the spine from the pelvis thus taking away the legs as a means of shock absorption. When you are lying down it would seem to be another case of degeneration of the vertebrae. The rear joints of the vertebrae are called facets and when these joints become irritated from degeneration they create pain. This pain can be from just shifting from one spot to another or changing from sitting to lying or etc. There are things that you can do to ease these. If you are over your ideal weight then loss some weight. Out of shape then start getting into better condition. Perhaps the most important aspect is your posture. If it is bad then you need to work on that. I would recommend that you see a physical therapist about this and the other back issues that are present.