Don’t take back pain sitting down

Some conditions can be aggravated by sitting, so after the initial pain subsides, aim to move more, not less.

Sitting down is supposed to be a way to relax after a long day on your feet. But for many women, sitting for any length of time is painful. It aggravates pain in the back instead of relieving it.

If this sounds like you, the problem could be one of several common conditions, says Dr. Steven J. Atlas, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.