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BodyRipple한국어

When I lie on the sofa with my head on the armrest and watch TV, my back feels like it's bending

Asked by a member on Aug 1, 2026한국어

This question was asked in Korean and answered by Korean body care experts. Read the original or ask your own question on the Korean site.

Area
Lower back, side of the torso
Started
Since last year

After work, my favorite thing is to lie on my side on the sofa, rest my head on the armrest, and watch TV… When I get up after an hour or two, my back feels stiff, as if it's bent to one side. I know my posture is the problem, but it's so comfortable that I can't give it up.

Key takeaways

  • Keeping your spine curved like a bow to match the height of the armrest for a long time may be contributing to the stiffness
  • Try supporting your head and lower back with cushions, and turn to lie on the other side partway through to distribute the strain
  • After getting up, reach both arms out and stretch the compressed side of your torso by lengthening it in the opposite direction

Warning signs

  • If the discomfort lasts a long time or gradually gets worse
  • If tingling, weakness, or changes in sensation occur as well
  • If the discomfort began after an injury
  • If pain wakes you at night or greatly interferes with daily life

Answers1

BodyRipple expert

Aug 1, 2026

It’s ironic that the most comfortable position happens to be one that puts strain on your lower back.

When you lie on your side with your head on the armrest, your spine—from your neck to your lower back—arches to match the height of the armrest. Armrests are especially higher and firmer than pillows, so the angle your spine bends at can be greater than you might expect. The side of your waist facing the floor gets compressed and shortened, while the side facing the ceiling stays stretched. Muscles tend to remember their length when they stay in one position for a long time, so you may still feel bent over for a while after getting up.

If it’s hard to break the habit, a more realistic approach is to make the position itself less curved. Add another cushion under your head to bring your neck and lower back closer to a straight line, and try placing a thin cushion in the gap between your lower back and the sofa. Also, rather than always lying on the same side, turning over to the other side from time to time will distribute the strain between both sides. You could even make a rule of switching sides whenever a TV commercial comes on.

After getting up, stretch both arms overhead and slowly bend your torso away from the side that feels stiff, lengthening the side of your waist that was compressed. Try this for a few days and see how quickly the feeling of being bent over eases after you get up.