What Causes Burning When Sitting? | Chiropractors’ Guide on How to Sit

Do you find yourself feeling a persistent burning sensation when sitting down? If so, don’t worry — you are not alone. It is quite common for patients to experience this type of discomfort and most often it can be attributed to everyday activities like poor posture or lack of movement. However, sometimes a deeper physical issue may be the underlying cause, which is why it’s important to understand the potential medical conditions that could contribute to this kind of burning sensation in your lower body.

In this blog post I will discuss several possible causes— ranging from muscle-related issues such as sciatica and psoas syndrome, to other medical conditions like diabetes or an infection — along with how they need to be treated in order to alleviate any further pain or discomfort.

Common Causes of Burning Sensations When Sitting

As a practitioner with over 30 years of practice, and training as an ergonomist and author on sitting, I’m well-equipped to provide valuable insights. My contributions to this field have been well-received, with TV appearances, my Youtube channel, and a successful Kickstarter campaign for my ergonomic seat cushions. If you’re searching for answers, I’m confident that I can offer meaningful guidance.

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The Phantom Burn: What’s Actually Happening?

Imagine you’re settling into your comfy office chair or curling up on the sofa to watch your favorite show, when suddenly you feel like you’ve sat on a bed of chili peppers. Quite a mood-ruiner, huh? Well, here’s what I’ve discovered through my years of clinical experience and probably more spine examinations than Count Dracula could ever dream of.

Often, this burning sensation can be traced back to an underlying issue with spinal alignment or the strength and balance of your core muscles. See, the spine is like the Eiffel Tower of your body – it’s a structure of monumental importance, and it’s quite complex. Just as a slight tilt in the Eiffel Tower would set off alarm bells, any misalignment in your spine can cause discomfort or pain. The same goes for your core, it’s the muscular corset that keeps you upright and stable – a balanced and strong core is crucial.

If you’re struggling with back pain, I wrote an article on how to manage your pain and why you should do these important steps and I encourage you to read it!

When Your Spine Isn’t ‘In Line’

When your spinal alignment is off, it can cause a domino effect on the surrounding nerves and muscles. Picture this: Imagine you’re driving along a beautiful highway and suddenly there’s a blockade. You’ll either have to brake abruptly, causing discomfort, or you’ll swerve to avoid it, straining yourself. In spinal terms, misalignment can cause nerves to become irritated (brake abruptly), or muscles to overcompensate (swerve), often resulting in that spicy burning sensation you’d rather not feel.

The Core of the Matter

As for your core, think of it as the ever-reliable, hardworking backstage crew at a concert. When it’s strong and balanced, everything on the stage of life runs smoothly. But when it’s weak or unbalanced, you start getting off-key notes, missed cues, and yes, that burning discomfort.

A balanced core provides equal support to your body, alleviating unnecessary stress from any particular part. If the core muscles are weak, it forces your spine and other structures to pick up the slack, leading to overuse and the unwanted feeling of sitting on an invisible furnace.

The Spine and Core: Dynamic Duo

Like Batman and Robin, your spine and core work better together. When your spine is aligned and your core is balanced, it’s like a perfect symphony – each part playing in harmony to support your everyday activities, including sitting.

In my practice, I’ve found that many of my patients have reported less burning pain when they’ve addressed their spinal alignment and core strength issues. So, if you’re experiencing this discomfort, it could be a sign that it’s time to pay attention to these two crucial aspects of your body.

What Can I Do About It?

Now for the golden question – what can you do about this unwelcome hot seat scenario? Well, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. A few changes can make a world of difference:

• Mindful Posture: Keep an eye on your sitting habits. Try to maintain a natural spinal curve when sitting. If you’re hunching over a screen or slouching, your spine and core are already sending you an RSVP to the burning pain party
• Core Strengthening Exercises: Remember that reliable backstage crew we talked about? It’s time to show them some love. Regularly incorporating core strengthening exercises such as planks, bridges, and abdominal crunches can help fortify this crucial muscle group.
• Regular Breaks: If your job involves long hours of sitting, ensure you take regular breaks. A simple walk, a good stretch, or even a quick dance to your favorite tune (I’m a fan of the Macarena myself) can do wonders for your spine and core.
• Regular Check-ups: This cannot be stressed enough. Regular visits to your friendly neighborhood chiropractor (like me!) can help identify any underlying issues with spinal alignment and core strength. A stitch in time really does save nine – or in this case, prevents that pesky burning sensation.
• Ergonomic Support: Invest in an ergonomic seat cushion that provides ample support to your lower back. To optimally handle your seating requirements, it’s crucial to pay attention to several aspects, with chair customization being a primary component. Various techniques can be employed for this, like integrating an ergonomic pillow and lumbar support. These enhancements can reduce stress on your back and legs, boosting comfort and posture during prolonged sitting sessions. Moreover, confirm that your feet are planted firmly on the floor and that there’s enough space between your chair and workstation. By observing these suggestions, any basic rigid chair can be transformed into an ergonomic haven that fosters ongoing health and welfare. I explain the concept of my ergonomic design on a TV show HERE

Ergonomic Stability Cushion

A practical ergonomic seat wedge (above) can be implemented to correctly position your spine and promote balance. This exceptional natural latex seating cushion assists in developing core muscles while alleviating tension in other areas, such as the neck and shoulders. Furthermore, maintaining a straight posture is less taxing on your hips and knees, as it engages more muscle groups concurrently compared to leaning back against something cushioned. This vertical posture averts the development of strain-causing habits that individuals might unknowingly adopt while engrossed in work.