Go ahead, take a seat on that sofa…

…but remember that sitting itself puts pressure on your spine, and melting into an old sofa for 4 hours of Netflix is not doing your back any favors. At Hayes Family Chiropractic, we are not the types to deny anyone their well-earned relaxation hours; however, we do hope that you will keep your spine in mind when it comes to relaxing. A few adjustments to the way you sit while relaxing can vastly improve the relationship between your spine and your sofa. Always remember that good posture is good style! 

How to sit on a sofa without hurting on your spine 

Sofas come in all shapes in sizes; likewise, these rules are malleable. However, the point is that you want to get as close as possible to keeping your spine in a neutral alignment, with your head balanced in a straight line atop your spine. How do we get there? Here are some guidelines:

• Knees level with hips 
• Feet firmly on the floor
• Your lower back supported by a cushion to provide support for the lumbar curve. 
• If you have a sinking sofa, use a wedged cushion or a cushion with a cut out to provide support for the base of your spine.
• Try sitting on the floor: with supportive cushions, the floor is often more supportive than the sofa  
• Try yoga positions: there are various blogs devoted to yoga poses while watching television. These are infinitely better for your spine that simply sitting in a sinking sofa.

Sharing the couch with someone else is a different story, but a good place to start is knowing how to sit on the sofa in a supportive manner by yourself. And don’t forget to get off the couch and stretch at least once an hour!