Increased spinal height using propped slouched sitting postures: Innovative ways to rehydrate intervertebral discs

•Both PSS with and without lumbar support significantly increased spinal height.•Effects of sitting on IVD hydration may have ramifications for working postures.•PSS postures may restore spinal height, disc hydration and promote IVD health.•PSS postures would provide a valuable alternative to upright sitting.

BackgroundUpright and slouched sitting are frequently adopted postures associated with increased intradiscal pressure, spinal height loss and intervertebral disc pathology.ObjectivesTo examine the effects of two sustained propped slouched sitting (PSS) postures on spinal height after a period of trunk loading.MethodsThirty-four participants without a history of low back pain (LBP) were recruited (age 24.4 ± 1.6 years). Subjects sat in (1) PSS without lumbar support and (2) PSS with lumbar support for 10 min, after a period of trunk loading. Spinal height was measured using a stadiometer.ResultsMean spinal height increase during PSS without lumbar support was 2.94 ± 3.63 mm and with lumbar support 4.74 ± 3.07 mm.ConclusionsBoth PSS with and without lumbar support significantly increased spinal height after a period of trunk loading (p < 0.001). Such PSS postures can provide a valuable alternative to upright sitting and may be recommended for recovering spinal height in the working environment following periods of loading.