Lower Back Under Pressure

"At every moment, even when we sleep, our spinal column is subject to constraints.

Researchers measured the pressure exerted at the level of the two inter-vertebral discs, corresponding to the vertebra L5 and S1. This pressure varies according to each one of our postures, going from 25 kilos in sleeping position, to 50 kilos when we stand up, 140 kilos in sitting position, 150 kilos when we incline ourselves slightly (position of the vacuum cleaner) and 300 kilos when we lean our legs and hands on the ground to take an object.

If one adds the additional pressure exerted by some movement, like raising a load of 20 kilos, one arrives at a pressure of almost 500 kilos on this unhappy disc. The pains and the damage that a bad movement can involve is astonishing."

Received the above in an email. My ex-boss has a slipped disc. She told me that actually in a sitting position, angle between the upper and lower torsor is 90 degree, it is the most strainfull position for the lower back.

Our lower back's spinal disc is most relaxed when we are in sleeping position. So, don't sit up for too long - walking is even better than sitting.