Morning all

Hope all my fellow pain suffers are having a comfortable day!
Just posting to find out if anybody knows of any positions that take the load off the lower back.
I wish i could just take 'time out' an rest it.
I know its practically impossible as you use your back to do everything but i thought some of you out there might have some ideas!

Many thanks.

Yes!! I am afraid I had to discover the position for myself some years ago.

You need to be in a position which is just like you're sitting on a chair but whilst you're lying in a horizontal position. The best way to achieve this is by piling-up some cushions or pillows under your knees and calves which should give you the same position you would be in if you were upright and sitting on a chair..... except now you are lying horizontal instead of sitting upright.

Once you are lying down, ensure that your buttocks are hard up against the pile of cushions (as they would be if you were sitting upright on a chair) and just let your legs and ankles rest on the cushions in front of you.

Hopefully this position should help relieve the pressure on your lower back which should allow some real pain relief for you.

Good luck and let me know how it goes. :)

L

Hi Sherry,
I put a pillow or two under my knees when lying down. I've found that I need to change it periodically so I don't get too stiff, add another pillow or take one out.

If you're working or up and around, it helps to raise one foot above the level of the other while you're standing in one spot. That is, put one foot on a small stool, the rung of a chair, a box, etc. Whatever you can find that is about the right height for you. The height you need depends on your own height and your body. Experiment and you'll figure out what works best. I like about 6-8 inches, but more or less than that works if that's what's available. I also found that I got more relief by having a particular foot being the higher one.

I hope you'll get more tips. Remember, though, that everyone's different. If you try one tip and it doesn't help you, just try another. This is a good practical question that will certainly help a lot of our back buddies. Thanks for posting it, and I hope you get some good suggestions.

Blessings,
Emily

The position that Lapis describes works best for me too. I bought a couple of wedge cushions from Bed Bath and Beyond that, when stacked together, create this effect perfectly.

If you're working or up and around, it helps to raise one foot above the level of the other while you're standing in one spot.

:D I call this my "flamingo pose". I do it when I'm standing in line at the grocery store, or in the hallway at work or whatever.

Hope you find something that works for you!

Hi there.. everybody is different, so you will have to try different things to make you feel better... In my case, since they think the pain is now from facet joint arthritis, flexion provides some relief. I lay on my back, and slowly pull my knees to my chest until I barely feel a stretch and hold it for a few seconds... Then, gradually increase.. I also noticed that If I sit too long, I hurt, and I walk around, then slowly squat and feel a stretch down there that feels good.. But be careful.. Keep those muscles loose.. Hamstrings need to be loose to... takes several weeks to months, so keep doing them twice or more a day..

Maurizio