How Long Sitting Affects Your Hips And Lower Back

Lower back and hip stiffness is something I hear about almost every week, particularly from people who sit for long stretches at work or while driving.

The Sitting Pattern

When you sit, the hip flexors at the front of the hips stay in a shortened position while the glutes and lower back muscles are held still. Over time, the front of the hips can feel tight while the back and glutes feel weak or achy. This combination often shows up as that familiar stiffness when you first stand up.

What Helps

Treatment focused on the hips, glutes, and lower back can ease the tension and improve how the area moves. Outside of the clinic, standing and walking regularly, gentle hip mobility, and avoiding very long unbroken periods of sitting make a real difference.