Sitting Less Can Help Back Pain, Study Finds

Back pain is a common issue for many, especially those who spend long hours sitting. A recent study from the University of Turku, Finland, suggests that cutting down daily sitting time by just 40 minutes can help prevent back pain from getting worse over six months.

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Why Sitting Hurts Your Back

We all know that sitting too much isn’t good for our health. It’s linked to many problems, including back pain. The researchers found that by simply reducing sitting time, people were able to stop their back pain from worsening. Participants in the study were mostly middle-aged adults who spent much of their day sitting and exercised little. They were able to reduce their sitting by 40 minutes each day, which made a noticeable difference in their back pain levels.

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Moving More is Key

It’s not just about sitting less—it’s also about moving more. Switching positions and adding some activity to your day can make a big difference. The researchers pointed out that regular movement, such as walking, is better for back health than just standing up. The key is to keep your body active and avoid staying in one position for too long.

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Sitting and Back Muscles: No Direct Link Found

Interestingly, the study didn’t find a link between changes in back pain and changes in the muscles of the back, like fat levels or metabolism. Even though previous research suggested that sitting might harm the muscles in the back, this study showed that reducing sitting time alone can help with back pain, even without changes in the muscles themselves.

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Simple Changes, Big Impact

If you suffer from back pain or are worried about it, this study suggests that making small changes to your daily routine could help. Reducing the time you spend sitting at work or at home could prevent your pain from getting worse. The researchers also emphasize that regularly changing your posture is more important than trying to find the “perfect” posture.

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This study shows that small adjustments, like reducing sitting time by 40 minutes a day, could be a simple and effective way to improve back health without needing major lifestyle changes. Stay active, move more, and you might feel the difference!

Reference:
Norha J., Sjöros T., Garthwaite T., et al. (2024). Effects of reducing sedentary behaviour on back pain, paraspinal muscle insulin sensitivity and muscle fat fraction and their associations: a secondary analysis of a 6-month randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084305