Causes for Lower Back Pain When Sitting Too Long

Updated: January 16, 2025

Going about your day with back pain can be distracting, annoying, and even debilitating. Lower back pain can be caused by a wide variety of factors and affects millions of Americans every year. Some back pain is chronic, recurring even after medication and lifestyle changes, while other lower back pain can be treated over time.

If you have lower back pain, you don’t have to struggle alone. FIX24 Joint Biomechanics is here to provide some understanding of common causes of lower back pain while sitting; you’ll be empowered to take control of your healthcare journey.

Common Causes for Lower Back Pain When Sitting

Lower back pain when sitting can be caused by several different things. From medical conditions to improper posture, these are factors to consider when ruling out your pain:

• Poor posture: Bad posture, including slumping or leaning over a table, can cause back pain.
• Strain on your back: Strain can be caused by carrying heavy items, bending and lifting frequently throughout the day, or certain exercises.
• Spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is when the space around your spinal cord becomes too narrow, irritating the spinal cord and the nerves around it.
• Spinal disc compression. When the discs between your vertebrae bulge outward due to stress or prolonged sitting, they can put pressure on your spinal cord. This is known as spinal disc compression.
• Medical conditions. Certain medical conditions, including ailments that result in poor blood flow, can cause lower back pain when sitting.

If you work from home or spend much of your time each day sitting at a desk, you could be particularly prone to lower back pain. Sitting puts more pressure on the back than standing. Additionally, prolonged sitting in the same position can cause your glutes to not fire properly since your hip flexors are in a shortened position. 

What Does Lower Back Pain From Sitting Feel Like?

Lower back pain from sitting can come with a variety of symptoms. Depending on the severity of your pain, you could experience shooting or stabbing pain in your lower back and up to your shoulder area. You might also feel numb or experience a general “achiness” in your back. 

If you have severe lower back pain, shooting pain can even radiate down your legs. There’s a spectrum of back pain, from mildly annoying to extreme. 

Wherever you fall on the scale, your pain is valid and deserves to be addressed.

What Can Help Lower Back Pain When Standing Up from a Sitting Position

There are ways to treat lower back pain. You can consider an ergonomic desk setup, which allows you to work in a position that better aligns with your body. 

Utilizing some form of lumbar support can help keep your back aligned even when you’re seated and reduce lower back pain when standing up from a sitting position.

If you can’t invest in a new setup for work, commit to adding more movement throughout your day. Consistent exercise will keep chronic back pain at bay and improve your overall health outcomes. Good posture can also help with your back pain. Practice good posture any time you have to sit down, whether you’re working or enjoying dinner with a friend at your favorite restaurant. 

FIX24 Joint Biomechanics can help restore your body’s physiology and biomechanics to their optimal level, working with you to determine the underlying causes of your back pain.

If You Have Lower Back Pain When Sitting, There’s Help!

If you’re tired of dealing with lower back pain when sitting, there’s hope. FIX24 is a structural healthcare clinic that is extremely proficient in diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis. 

We want you to feel empowered to take control of your health journey through our personalized services that realign and restore the body. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about how to address and treat your lower back pain.

Image Source: fizkes/Shutterstock

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