Positions are key when sex causes back pain!

Guided by movements of couples engaged in sexual intercourse, a new report published in the journal Spine suggests that alternatives to the traditional missionary-style position can help men who have lower back pain. The findings report that side-by-side intercourse, known as spooning and thought by some to be a cure-all, however is not recommended for everyone.

Back pain during sex is a major issue for many people and there has been little, if any, research into the best positions, the Canadian study authors pointed out.

Patients with severe disc or arthritis conditions, may find certain positions painful. And for those with chronic spine conditions, talking to their partners about pain; exploring new positions and making adjustments to the positions previously used are generally recommended.

The study authors suggested that men who get back pain from flexing their spines forward should avoid the side-by-side position, use the back position and also use their hips, not their spine.

For men who feel back pain when they extend their spines, it would be exactly the opposite: avoid the back position, use the side position. And men who feel back pain from simple movement of their spine should focus on using their hips, the study suggested.