Why Does My Back or Hip Hurt When I Get Up From Sitting?

Why Does My Hip or Back Hurt When I Get Up from Sitting?

If you’ve ever stood up after sitting for a while and felt a sharp or stiff pain in your lower back or hips, you’re not alone. Many people search for answers to questions like:

• “Why does my low back hurt when I get up from sitting?”
• “Why does my hip hurt after sitting too long?”
• “My back feels stuck when I stand — what’s going on?”

At M&M Chiropractic and Wellness in Fort Myers, located right in front of the Bell Tower neighborhood, we often see patients with this exact concern. Let’s break down what might be causing your discomfort — and what you can do about it.

Common Causes of Back or Hip Pain After Sitting

1. Joint Stiffness and Muscle Tightness

When you sit for extended periods, your hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hips) become tight, and your glutes and core muscles weaken. This imbalance can place extra stress on your lower back and sacroiliac (SI) joint — a small joint near your hips that connects your spine to your pelvis.
When you finally stand, those tight muscles and restricted joints can make your hips or low back feel “locked up” or sore.

2. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

If your pain is sharp and feels deep in one side of your lower back or near your buttock, your SI joint may be involved. The SI joint is meant to move just slightly, but sitting unevenly, leg length differences, or past injuries can cause it to become irritated or inflamed. Patients often describe this as pain that makes it hard to stand straight after sitting.

3. Degenerative or Mechanical Low Back Pain

Sometimes, the issue comes from the spine itself. Degenerative disc changes or joint wear can cause stiffness that’s most noticeable after inactivity. Once you start moving, the pain might improve, but it can return with prolonged sitting or bending.

4. Posture and Ergonomics

Modern life — long hours at a desk, driving, or looking down at devices — puts your spine in positions it wasn’t designed for. Poor sitting posture can gradually strain your back, hips, and even your supporting muscles.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

At M&M Chiropractic and Wellness, our goal is to identify which structure — the spine, the SI joint, or the surrounding muscles — is causing your pain when you stand. Through gentle chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and posture guidance, we help restore motion and reduce inflammation.

Many patients notice immediate relief in stiffness after an adjustment and improved ease when getting up from sitting.

Tips You Can Try at Home

• Stand up and move every 30–45 minutes when sitting for long periods.
• Stretch your hip flexors and glutes daily.
• Adjust your workstation so your hips and knees are level when seated.
• Avoid crossing your legs for long periods — it can tilt your pelvis and irritate your SI joint.
• Use a lumbar support cushion to maintain healthy posture.

When to Seek Care

If your hip or back pain when standing from sitting keeps returning, is sharp or radiates down your leg, or limits your movement, it’s time to get it checked. Identifying the cause early helps prevent chronic stiffness and pain from becoming your new normal.

At M&M Chiropractic and Wellness, our Fort Myers chiropractors can help you move and feel better — so getting up from sitting doesn’t have to hurt anymore.

Ready to feel better?
Call M&M Chiropractic and Wellness in Fort Myers, conveniently located right in front of the Bell Tower neighborhood, to schedule your visit today. 239-313-5004