If you notice pain or a burning sensation in your hip that runs down your leg after sitting for too long, you may be dealing with sciatica. Sitting pain is one of the most common symptoms people experience with this condition, and the good news is that sitting properly can take a lot of that pressure off your back and hip.
How to Sit to Ease Sciatic Pain
1. Sit all the way back in your chair, with your hip against the backrest. Adjust the chair height so your legs are parallel to the ground and your feet sit flat on the floor.
2. Place a back support or a rolled-up towel behind your lower back, right above the waistline, for extra support while you sit.
3. Bring yourself closer to your desk, with your elbows in and shoulders back. This keeps your back and hips in a better position and reduces the pressure that can trigger sciatic pain.
Why Sitting Position Matters So Much
When you sit properly, less pressure is placed through your lower back and hip, which is exactly where sciatic pain tends to start. Small adjustments like these, done consistently throughout your workday, can make a noticeable difference in how much pain you feel by the end of the day.
When to See a Physical Therapist
These adjustments can help take the edge off, but sciatica often has an underlying cause that's worth having evaluated, especially if the pain is frequent or getting worse. Our therapists at Empower Physical Therapy & Wellness can assess what's driving your sciatic pain and build a treatment plan to address it directly.
