Body Positions Affecting The Disc Pressure

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

• Different body positions affect intervertebral disc pressure and contributes to lower back pain.
• Lowest disc pressure is measured when lying down supine.
• Disc pressure steadily increases with changing body positions.

Position and it’s Disc Pressure

• Lying on side: 75kg
• Standing: 100kg
• Standing & leaning forward: 150kg
• Hold weight & leaning forward: 220kg
• Sitting: 140kg
• Sitting & leaning forward: 185kg

Highest disc pressure is measured while sitting and leaning forward 20 degrees with 20kg weight in hand.

Inference

• Holding heavy objects close to body while lifting them is important to reduce the compressive forces acting on the Lumbar Spine.