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Safety Positions for Healthy Sex Following Back Pain

Article · May 2012

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Vol.1 ● No.2 ● 2012 Scientific Research Journal of India 31

Safety Positions for Healthy Sex Following Back Pain

B.Arun.* MPT, CMPT

Abstract: Sexual rehabilitation is never a part of low back rehabilitation in India. Sex is
enjoyment, which should be liked by both the partners, around the world about eight out of
every 10 people has experiencing back pain at some time in their lives, Back pain could cause
difficulty in day-to-day activities. Crisis on partner’s relationship may occur due to
unsatisfactory sex. India a Cultural Rich & Religious country will posse’s mysterious side on
sex and people live in India have closed mouth attitude on sex. Fear about pain during sex is
the first thing which produces fear on sex. The partners should understand the facts on pain
and accommodate the new positions for happy and healthy sex. Variety of recommended
positions is there which help to alleviate pain and gives good support and satisfaction to both
partners.

Key words: Sexual Rehabilitation, Sex, Low Back Pain, Physiotherapy

INTRODUCTION
Sex is pleasure, it is a wonderful
feeling experienced by both partners. The
interpersonal relationship between the
partners brings a firm emotional bond.
Sexual activity has not only produced by
physical, emotional aspects but also
biological aspects in human. The strong
union between the partners may be
wrecked due to a variety of causes. One of
the major causes for the breakage is
unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Pain may
produce disappointments during sexual
activity for both the partners. Pain in the
back is one of the major causes of it.1
Sexuality is an integral part of
normal and healthy relationships. It need
not be the first thing abandoned when you
are bothered by a flare-up of Back pain.2
Though it is chronic it should not prevent
one from enjoying this part of the
relationship.
Low back pain is the most common
musculoskeletal problem encountered by
most adult population around the world.
Four out of five adults will experience
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Vol.1 ● No.2 ● 2012 Scientific Research Journal of India 32
significant back pain sometime during Literatures supports that the physical
their life. After the common cold, activity during sex produce similar stress
problems caused by the back are the most to back same like lifting, pulling ect.. On
frequent cause of lost work days in adults while performing a vigorous movement in
under the age of forty-five. 3, 7 the pelvic region there is an increased
In the Indian scenario, stress at the back. During anterior tilting of
rehabilitation of back pain concludes when pelvis, the back muscles get compressed
a patient has significant reduction of pain with ligaments and other soft tissues. The
or he has got ability to do all ADL repetitive activity produces more stress to
activities, like day to day activities or the muscles, fascia and bones around the
handling job task ect.. Very few back result in pain.
rehabilitation protocols followed in India People with back pain are usually
focuses on the other parts of rehabilitation. aware which positions could cause pain
Mostly sexual rehabilitation is not the and they are able to find out which
choice of treatment for patient living in positions tend to increase or provoke pain.
India. During vigorous sexual activity there is
Sexual activity is frequently more stress in the lumbar region which can
inhibited by acute pain. Sexual prevent active participation of the
dysfunctions following back pain is the individual and most of the time back pain
common complaint but infrequently ruins their intercourse. A good scheme to
discussed with the therapist. The reasons keep enjoying sex is to choose sensuality
for this closed mouth attitude are multiple. over sexuality.
People who are suffering with it feel that Back pain may ruin sexual life and
they may be the only ones having the may wreck the relationship between the
problem and therefore embarrassed to talk partners. So finding the positions which
about it, even with the doctor or to the help to reduce or minimize pain is
therapist. Some doctors do not feel important for a successful sexual life.
comfortable with the subject, or may not Modified positions are there to reduce
even recognize it as a problem.4 stress in the back and help in safe sex.
Conditions like herniated disk, spinal
WHY PAIN OCCURS DURING SEX? arthritis, & Sacroiliac joint dysfunctions
During the sexual activity between need modification of the positions. 7
the partners there are number of Fear of pain may ruin the sexual
musculoskeletal activity happens. life between the partners. Back pain

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Vol.1 ● No.2 ● 2012 Scientific Research Journal of India 33
doesn’t stop the sexual relationship Apart from it the modified positions will
between the partners. In fact it tells to also help to ease pain.
accommodate the position to get rid of Physical fitness doesn’t mean that
pain. Back pain is more of psychological the partner is able to handle the pain.
than physical. The most part of pain Mental fitness is as important as physical
depends on mental status of the person. fitness. Understanding the problem
between the partners is very important for
HOW TO ASSESS IT? managing for the problem. Having a good
Various Back disability scale has communication and developing a positive
an inclusion of sexual relationship attitude can reduce the anxiety and
questionnaire. Like, Oswestry has one part apprehension between the partners. Sexual
which focuses on sexual relationship. The intercourse provides a natural pelvic tilt
scale by Laumann et al., 2005, has come movement which is to be encouraged to
up with a scale to find out sexual relieve lower back pain. Partners must
dysfunction in males. The scale will be create and use of other sexual techniques
helpful in evaluating the dysfunction. that can spare the back, like touching,
atmosphere creation and oral sex. Create
HOW TO MANAGE IT? an atmosphere that is very romantic and
Learning up a new posture or pain not be rushed, relaxed and peaceful. Begin
relieving methods like massage or ice prior with oral method and followed with
to the sex helps in reducing pain and recommended potions.
stress. Usually people with back pain are
aware of which positions those cause pain RECOMMENDED POSITIONS
and they usually avoid such positions or No single position is good for all.
1
movements. Positions depend on the type and cause of
People with Back pain should take back pain and are best consulted with the
a proper rehabilitation measures so that to rehabilitation staff. Generally
cure pain, there are variety of treatment recommendations include positions like
measures in physiotherapy, no single the Missionary position for both men and
treatment is best for all patients. women. 1
Combination of various treatment If a male partner complains of back
approaches help in regaining the function pain, he can be at the top of women will
as well as reducing the pain in patients. help to reduce stress at back, or man can
lie at the side of woman either on the front

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Vol.1 ● No.2 ● 2012 Scientific Research Journal of India
or at the back. If a female partner
complains, she can be at the top with
variety of positions like in bed or sitting in
5
a chair.
Depending on the type of back
pain, the position alters. For example,
patients with annular bulge will have an
increase in pain during flexion whereas for
a patient with facet problem pain will
increase with extension movements. There
are no hard and fast rules in dealing pain.
34
General advice given to partners are
placing a towel at the back reduce the
lumbar curvature which helps to prevent
pain. People with back pain can be advised
on good sex through illustration described
by Fahrni in 1976. These illustrations give
guidelines to people with back pain.

ILLUSTRATIONS FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS

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 Vol.1 ● No.2 ● 2012 Scientific Research Journal of India 35

References
1. Danielle Kloeck, “Sex and Back and treatments”.
pain” Webb Physiotherapists Inc, healthynewage.com, 2011.
http://www.physionline.co.za., 6. Kamiah A Walkier, “Tips for
2010, www.spine-dr.com Better sex....even with back pain”
2. Anthony delitto et al., “exercise www.spineuniverse.com, 2008.
based therapy for Low back pain” 7. Grieves.P, “Common vertebral
Sep 2010, uptodate.com. joint problems, Elsevier, 2003.
3. Jerry corners, MD. “ Sex and Back
pain” Healthy back institute,
www.losethebackpain.com. 2010
4. Dr.Kraus. Back and neck pain,
www. Lowback - pain .com 2008.
5. Louise F. Lynch “Sex and back
pain information-causes, Diagnosis

CORRESPONDENCE
*Vice principal, K.G.College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore 35. Email: barunmpt@gmail.com, Mob:
09994576111.

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