Sitting All Day = Lower Back Pain

We have all at one point or another suffered from some type of lower back pain. It can range from a mild ache to severe sharp shooting pain. What many people don't know is that low back pain can stem from many different muscles or structures in the body. It can also be caused by poor or sedentary posture, postural imbalances, previous injuries, and incorrect footwear (to name a few).

There is one cause in particular that I see in most of my clients who work in a seated position. Many of those who work long hours at a desk may not be ergonomically positioned to meet their individual needs. Furthermore, muscles of the lower body are either overloaded in a lengthened or shortened position for too long, therefore, causing pain referral to the back. More often than not, the Iliopsoas muscle group is the culprit. This muscle attaches to the lumbar vertebrae and crosses through the hip bones to the head of the femur. These two muscles (Iliacus and Psoas) are responsible for flexion of the hip joint. When we sit, we shorten the hip flexors often causing them to refer pain to their attachment point in the low back.

This can be treated through Massage, heat, and stretching. Consider taking a few moments throughout your day to try some of these stretches if YOU are experiencing any aches and pains in your lower back and glutes!

Try these stretches below!