Sex and Intimacy With Back Pain

“The IntimateRider allows my wife and I to experience intimacy in a new manner and without discomfort.” – James.

Back pain can be a difficult obstacle to overcome in the bedroom. Pain and discomfort can affect stamina or make it difficult to position yourself. In some cases, even natural body movements during sex can send shooting pain through your back. When sex becomes stressful or painful, your libido may decrease, or you may even try to avoid sex altogether because of the pain.

Maintaining a healthy sex life doesn’t have to come at the expense of your comfort. Let’s discuss common causes of back pain during sex and ways to alleviate aches and irritation for pleasurable, pain-free intimacy.

Common Causes of Back Pain During Sex

Back pain has many potential causes. It can be associated with minor injuries, or it may indicate a chronic issue, such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or joint dysfunction. These chronic conditions can make thrusting, arching, or supporting one’s weight excruciating.
Understanding your pain starts with knowing the cause and receiving an informed diagnosis from a doctor or therapist. Then, you and your partner can explore new positions, gentle intimacy techniques, and pain-reducing sex aids to increase the pleasure of having sex with back pain.

Tips & Positions for Pain Relief

While there’s not a single definitive solution to relieving back pain during sex, there are a variety of ways to alleviate discomfort. However, even under the best circumstances, back pain may still occur during sex. Remember, listening to your body and communicating with your partner is key to sexual intimacy.

Explore Different Positions

People with chronic back pain may prefer bending backward, standing straight, or bending forward, depending on the underlying concern. Bending backward and standing straight experience the most comfort in “extension”, where standing more upright provides relief. “Flexion” is related to bending forward, where slouching or tipping the shoulders is more comfortable.

Explore pain-free sexual positions to find what’s most comfortable for both of you. Based on a study from 2015 examining spine movements of heterosexual couples, here are some of the best positions for sex with back pain:

• Doggy style, for men who prefer flexion and women who prefer extension
• Missionary, for men who prefer extension and women who prefer flexion
• Side-by-side or rear-entry spooning for those who are extension-intolerant

Experimenting with new positions is a great way to revive sexual intimacy. Still, there are many techniques to be explored that mitigate back pain and discomfort when having sex, allowing you and your partner to explore each other in new ways.

Other Techniques to Minimize Back Pain

There are several ways to alleviate or reduce back pain during sex that don’t involve trying new positions. Improving your sexual experience while dealing with aching and soreness might include:

• Taking a hot bath or shower to relieve muscle tension (you can even ask your partner to join you!)
• Use a pain-relief cream or take an anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen or naproxen, beforehand
• Move with your hips and knees to avoid spinal movements that cause pain or discomfort
• Adjust your posture if a certain position is uncomfortable, or place a pillow beneath the neck, back, or hips
• Try other ways of pleasing each other with oral sex, sensual massage, and exploring erogenous zones

Finding what works best for you and your partner may include a combination of techniques and pain-free positions. You can also incorporate sex aids and accessories to improve sexual experiences while dealing with chronic back pain.

Sex Aids to Alleviate Pain & Improve Intimacy

For people with back injuries or back pain, sex aids can provide the stability and security needed to enjoy intimacy fully. Communicating with your partner is the first step to improving intimacy. It’s important to be open and honest about how using sex aids for back pain can take your relationship to new levels, improving the sexual experiences of people with chronic back pain while introducing fun into the bedroom!

In the case of sex after a back or spinal injury, you should also consult with your doctor about sex aids for back pain.

With the IntimateRider’s supportive back and smooth, gliding action, there is a gentle approach to intimacy. By decreasing the demand from your back and diminishing the fear of back pain during sex, you and your partner can explore sexual intimacy in exciting ways. Paired with our positioning cushions, the IntimateRider chair can introduce new positions you may have been hesitant to try before. Our sex aids for back pain provide the stable support needed to reduce the stress on your back, helping you focus on your partner. We help sexually active couples discover sensational levels of interpersonal and physical closeness!

Grab your partner and invite them to learn more about the IntimateRider Chair and RiderMate™ Positioning Devices!

IntimateRider: Enhance the Sexual Experience of Intimacy with Reduced Back Pain

Learn more from our helpful resources on sex and disability on our blog. If you have questions about our products, please contact us to receive answers from a friendly and knowledgeable representative. All IntimateRider products are available from our sole distributor, Living Spinal, and can be purchased directly from their online store.