Straighten Up and Sit Right

If you must subject yourself to  prolonged sitting, the least you can do is sit correctly.  It's one good way to avoid future episodes of low back pain.  Good sitting posture requires that you sit upright, preserving as best you can, the natural curve (lordosis) of the lumbar spine.  This means sitting with your back in slight extension.  Use a lumbar back support if necessary and be sure to include back extension and abdominal strengthening exercises in your workout routine.

There is strong evidence to show that a normal degree of lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine is associated with fewer instances of low back pain.  This is because moderate curvature in this area produces a more even distribution of compressive forces on the intervertebral discs.  Slouching in a chair tends to flatten out the lumbar spine and pinch the front portions of the lumbar discs.

Another thing you can do to avoid chronic back pain is to interrupt long periods of sitting with brief periods of standing.  Do this during the day as frequently as possible.  This way, you may be able to dodge the arrow that may be on its way toward your low back.  (Read about the effects of posture on the lumbar spine in Back Surgery-Avoid the Nightmare.)