Back pain and sex: which positions can you choose to help avoid pain?

For the first time, researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada studied the movements of the Vertebral column during sex in 10 couples, in 5 different sexual positions: two versions of the “missionary” position, two versions of “doggy style”, and the “spooning” position. Their Results suggest that some positions affect the Lumbar spine in different ways. They could therefore be more or less suitable depending on whether Pain is triggered by bending, arching, or moving the Back. !⁽¹⁾
 

Sexuality and Back pain: advice FOR Men with low Back Pain

The conclusions of the first Study concern Men with low Back Pain, and describe two main profiles:

• people who do not tolerate bending, and feel Pain when leaning forward
• people who do not tolerate arching, whose Pain starts when the upper body leans backward

Contrary to popular belief, the “spooning” position (lying on the side, one at the back of the other) is not always ideal in case of back pain. It seems less suitable for Men whose Pain is made worse by bending the Back. It could be better tolerated by those whose Pain is made worse by arching. On the other hand, the “doggy style” position is suggested in case of intolerance to bending, and not advised for people who do not tolerate arching.

In the “missionary” position, the advice depends on the position of the partner’s legs. When the partner’s legs are only slightly bent, this version seems to put less strain on the Lumbar spine. However, if they are bent, they may increase Lumbar bending in Men who do not tolerate bending. Finally, for people whose Pain is made worse by Back movements, the researchers suggest choosing movements that come more from the Hips than from the Lumbar spine.⁽¹⁾

Advice for Women with low back pain

A second study on Women quickly followed the first one and gave new recommendations⁽²⁾. As with Men before, Women with low back pain were placed in two groups: those who do not tolerate bending forward, and those who do not tolerate bending backward.

For Women who do not tolerate bending backward, the missionary position is the best, whether their legs are bent or straight. Lumbar Support (for example, a cushion under the lower Back) could also be useful, even if this approach was not specifically studied during sex. For Women who do not tolerate bending forward, the scientists recommend choosing the “doggy style” and “spooning” positions, with a preference for the version where the Women rests on her hands rather than on her elbows.

Backache: do not give up your sex life

These recommendations are very important for the millions of French people with back pain, because fear of movement can lead to less physical activity, including sexual activity. In case of back pain, “the right Treatment is movement”⁽³⁾. And sexual activity is movement!

Some studies suggest that oxytocin, a hormone released in particular during affectionate contact and sexual activity, could change the way Pain is felt. For example, an experimental study showed that exposure to very low doses of oxytocin reduced sensitivity to pain caused in healthy volunteers. More widely, different neurohormonal processes involved in sexual activity could help change the perception of pain and support a feeling of Well-being. So, in some people, sexual activity could help reduce the feeling of pain for a short time, but it is not a Treatment in itself.⁽⁵⁾