One of the most popular health topics on Health Central is back pain. Consumer Reports estimates that as many as 80% of adults living in the U.S. have had to cope with back pain at some point in their life. Lower back pain is the most frequently reported type of back pain and according to a Consumer Reports survey, 24% of respondents having lower back pain, say that it greatly interferes with their sex life. In this post we are going to focus on how to maintain a healthy sex life despite having lower back pain.
Please Note: If you experiencing back pain of any kind you need to seek the expertise and guidance of your doctor. The following information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your physician. Probably the best thing you can do to improve your sex life if you suffer from back pain is to be treated by your doctor.
Two Simple Rules to Begin: This may seem like good old fashioned common sense, but talk to your partner about what feels good and which positions feel painful. The other piece of advice is that if something hurts-stop. Sex is supposed to feel pleasurable and not painful. We are going to help you find ways to keep your sex life active and enjoyable despite your back pain.
Sexual Positions Which May Cause Back Pain
• For men and women with back pain the doggie style might be painful or any positions where you are arching your back.
• Women with back pain may also find that lying flat on their back with no pillows to support the head may place too much pressure on the spine during missionary style sex.
• Likewise lying flat on your stomach with no supports under the belly may also cause spinal pain.
• I have no clinical evidence to support my theory but most of the positions listed under Cosmopolitan’s Advanced Sexual Positions look pretty painful to me. The “Arc de Triomph” which requires the woman to arch into a backbend and “Head Game” position where the female is upside don’t look like they would be good for one’s back.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to be a circus performer to have a good time in bed. Sexual intimacy does not depend upon exotic sexual positions. Protect your back so that you avoid injury. One night of “rodeo sex” might seem exciting but if it hurts your back you may be out of commission for quite some time.
Things that can help to prevent or ease back pain prior to sex
• Exercise to strengthen your core muscles including your abs.
• Yoga is another way to increase abdominal strength and improve back pain.
• Taking a relaxing warm bath with your partner prior to sexual intercourse can not only set a romantic mood but can relax your back muscles.
• Who doesn’t like a massage? Giving and receiving a massage prior to sex can be a wonderful form of foreplay and can also help to un-kink tense or tight muscles. There is also evidence that massage can be an effective treatment for both anxiety and depression.
