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Researchers scanned 22 volunteers with healthy backs to see if how you sit makes a difference.
The big problem is that we spend too much time sitting, which puts a lot of strain on our lower backs.
They used what's called a positional MRI--where you can sit or stand instead of lying down--to get a three dimensional look inside the spine.
They discovered slouching forward puts the most strain on your lower back.
Sitting up straight at a ninety degree angle is almost as bad.
The best position is leaning back but also adjusting your seat so your knees are lower than your hips.
The angle between your thighs and your torso is 135 degrees. The lead researcher reported that the 135 degree position is that it's almost as good as lying down in terms of reducing the stress on your back.
It's also interesting to note this is very close to the position that's used when women give birth.
