Hello, I have been trying the stacksitting method for two days now, and one thing that seems to be happening is that my low back starts to hurt. I have slouched for all my life until getting Esther's book. I asked somebody to tell me if I was sitting straight or not, or if I was swaying, and they said no.
Could it be my muscles are adjusting to this new way of sitting?
Also note: two hours ago my low back was hurting, now as I type this, while stacksitting, my mid back is where it hurts some, but now my low back doesn't hurt. This has happened now for about two days.
Thanks for any help
Could it be my muscles are adjusting to this new way of sitting?
Also note: two hours ago my low back was hurting, now as I type this, while stacksitting, my mid back is where it hurts some, but now my low back doesn't hurt. This has happened now for about two days.
Thanks for any help
14 years 21 hours ago
11/28/2010 - 9:24pm
I too also have this problem (Im 16 if that helps)
As far as I cant tell, Im sitting, standing and lying the right away but my lower back gets sore. Nothing extremely painful but it's there most of the time and its more annoying then anything.
Like I said, asfar as I can tell Im standing and sitting correctly. Is it my/our muscles and spine just adjusting to the new posture?
13 years 6 months ago
02/12/2011 - 1:10pm
I felt the same for the first few days, and whenever I looked in the mirror I couldn't see any sign of a sway back. Today it feels perfectly comfortable (with a little bit of persistence, figuring my muscles needed time to get used to a relatively new orientation).
Not sure if the same will happen for you, just my random input.
3 years 9 months ago
12/15/2010 - 7:51am
Stacksitting is definitely an art and a science. It can take some time to adjust to Stacksitting for a number of reasons;
1. The Erector Spinae muscles (the long muscles that run up and down your back parallel to your spine) are tight.
If you were a chronic sloucher, or swayer, then those muscles may not be used to be elongated. I would suggest Stretchsitting more often than Stacksitting and then build your way up to Stacksitting. Both Stretchlying and Stretchsitting "loosens the clay" of your tight E.S. muscles. The pain you were feeling could be where the E.S. attach and those attachments were getting sore from being pulled on.
2. You are swaying the back.
While Stacksitting is mostly relaxed, there are some muscles doing some work-you want to be sure to use the Rib Anchor to prevent your back from swaying. The Rib Anchor uses your Internal Oblique muscles. If you need help with this check out 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, pages 84, 140 and 198.
3. Your pelvis is not tipped forward enough
The back will usually want to slump if the pelvis is retroverted or tucked under. Use a wedge and/or sit toward the edge of your chair to help antevert the pelvis. Letting the knees drop lower than your hips can also be helpful.
Enjoy!
-Charlene Hannibal
Gokhale Method Teacher, Palo Alto/San Francisco