October 05, 2024

Reducing Daily Sitting Time May Prevent Worsening Back Pain

Reducing the time spent sitting could help prevent back pain from worsening, according to new research from Finland.

A study led by Jooa Norha at the University of Turku found that people who sat even slightly less each day experienced less progression in their back pain over a six-month period.

"If you are prone to back pain or have a sedentary lifestyle, consider ways to reduce sitting time at work or during leisure," advised Norha, the study's lead author and a doctoral researcher.

The study involved 64 overweight or obese individuals, all of whom had heart risk factors and were already dealing with back pain. Participants were asked to cut their daily sitting time by 40 minutes. After six months, the group that reduced sitting saw no significant increase in pain, while the control group, who continued their usual habits, experienced a notable rise in back pain intensity.

The results, published in BMJ Open, were not surprising to Norha. "Our participants were typical middle-aged adults who sat a lot, exercised little, and had gained some extra weight," he said, noting that these factors not only raise cardiovascular disease risks but also contribute to back pain.

While it's still unclear how reducing sitting directly alleviates back pain, Norha's team used MRIs to explore changes in the participants' back muscles. They found no link between pain reduction and changes in muscle fat or glucose metabolism, suggesting more research is needed.

Norha emphasized that while standing more may help, physical activity such as walking or more vigorous exercise is more effective in managing back pain.