You sit at a desk all day…so why does your back hurt so much?

Lower back pain when sitting—but not standing—is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s unavoidable.

If you’ve ever stood up after a long day and thought, “Why does my lower back hurt more when I’m sitting?“, you’re not alone. Lower back pain when sitting but not standing is a common complaint among office workers, remote employees, gamers, and anyone who spends long periods of time in a chair.

It might seem counterintuitive. After all, sitting is supposed to be restful. But the truth is, your body isn’t built to stay in a seated position for hours on end—especially not with poor sitting posture or an unsupportive setup.

If you’ve ever bent down to pick up a heavy item and felt an uncomfortable twinge in your back, you’re certainly not alone. Back injuries from lifting are more common than you might think, and even a single wrong move can lead to days—or even weeks—of discomfort.

While you may recover quickly the first time, a single injury often sets the stage for future flare-ups if you’re not careful. The good news is that with the right techniques, you can dramatically lower your risk of getting hurt.

In this guide, we’ll walk through safe lifting principles that will help protect your back before, during, and after you lift that heavy object. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid and tools that make moving bulky items easier.

Whether you’re rearranging furniture, carrying boxes during a move, or just tackling a home improvement project, these simple steps can go a long way toward keeping your body healthy and pain-free.