Sex Positions to Reduce Back Pain

Living with back pain is frustrating enough. Not being able to have sex, or at least not without being in a lot of pain, only adds to your misery.The good news is that there are more than enough sexual positions for back pain. You’ll probably end up injecting a little fun and experimentation into your sex life in the process, too.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to work your way through the 64 sexual positions in the Kama Sutra to find a position that works for you. This list includes three sex positions for men and three for women that take a lot of pressure off your spine and put most of the thrusting work onto your partner.

Safest Sexual Positions for Back Pain for Men

Sitting Position

Sitting positions take a lot of pressure and weight off your back. You can either sit in a chair with a back support or on your bed with your legs out and leaning back on your arms.

Either way, you have some room for movement to find an angle that reduces your back pain. Plus, this puts the emphasis on your partner to find a range of motion for intercourse.

Cowgirl Position (Woman on Top)

Cowgirl, or reverse cowgirl, are positions where the woman goes on top and you lie flat on your back. Lying flat alleviates a lot of back pain.

If lying flat isn’t comfortable enough, try placing a rolled towel under your lower back to find an arch that reduces your back pain. Once you’re in a comfortable position, it’s all on your partner.

Spooning Position

The spooning position is one of the most flexible positions in regard to hip movement, so it’s great for reducing back pain. It allows both you and your partner to find a comfortable angle without having the weight of the other on top.

Roll up a towel or pillow and place it anywhere underneath your body. Otherwise, use your forearms to prop up your upper body for extra support.

Safest Sexual Positions for Back Pain for Women

Missionary Position

The missionary position is thought of as “boring,” but if you’re suffering from back pain, it’s likely the safest and least painful position for you.

It allows you to lie­ on your back and find an arch that minimizes your back pain. Use a towel for support to find the most comfortable position. Don’t forget to ask your partner not to bear down on you with too much weight!

Lying on Your Stomach

If you can’t find an arch that reduces your back pain on your back in the missionary position, try lying on your stomach and arching your back the other way.

On your front, you can post your upper body up by propping yourself up with your forearms. Or add a pillow under your chest or stomach for more incremental changes of position.

Spooning Position

Spooning is a versatile sex position that gives you a lot of freedom to curve your back in a way that’s not painful. Your partner then does the necessary adjustments from behind, so you don’t have to move your back.

Spooning also reduces any weight bearing down on you from your partner compared with the missionary position and lying on your stomach.

Listen to Your Body

There are various types and causes of back pain, so it’s hard to tell what’s best for you without knowing exactly what’s causing your pain. But a rule that always applies is to listen to your body during and after sex.

If you’re experiencing back pain in a certain position, don’t carry on through the pain or mask it with painkillers. You will only end up causing further tissue damage and aggravating your existing injury.

If you needed any more reasons to find sex positions that reduce your back pain – exercise, or shall we say “sexercise” in a safe way that doesn’t aggravate your back pain will actually be good for your recovery.