Lower Back Pain When Kneeling?

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Melodeonist

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DISCLAIMER: This is not a medical advice thread. I am not interested in a medical diagnosis, nor am I interested in a cure.

Often times at Mass, or before Mass while kneeling I feel a pain in my lower back. I’m only 19, almost 20, and this can get quite annoying. I have heard that the “kneel sit” position is really only recommended for older folks, but I feel that this way is the best way to eliminate the pain for me. However, I am wondering if it’s God’s will that I feel the pain, so I may offer it up as a prayer.

Thoughts? 🙂
 
I feel a similar discomfort sometimes. Usually it’s because I’m leaning back slightly and/or pushing my hips forward, such that my shoulders are slightly behind my hips. The extra pressure on the lower back causes it to hurt after a little while.

My solution has been to simply engage the ab muscles and kneel in a more straight fashion instead of leaning back, and the issue is solved. Though sometimes my muscles don’t feel like working an I lean back anyway. 😛
Mary_Estelle said:
Ask your priest. Peace
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Haha, is pain in the lower back really something the priest needs to be hearing about?
 
dshix said:
I feel a similar discomfort sometimes. Usually it’s because I’m leaning back slightly and/or pushing my hips forward, such that my shoulders are slightly behind my hips. The extra pressure on the lower back causes it to hurt after a little while.

My solution has been to simply engage the ab muscles and kneel in a more straight fashion instead of leaning back, and the issue is solved. Though sometimes my muscles don’t feel like working an I lean back anyway. 😛

Haha, is pain in the lower back really something the priest needs to be hearing about?
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the priest can advise weather he can offer it up, go to a Dr. or just counsel him. I was not joking. Peace.
 
I have problems kneeling and I just barely make it through the kneeling portion of Mass. What I do is to push myself forward as much as possible and lean on the top of the pew in front of me. Other things I have done is kneel directly on the floor so the seat of the pew will act as a support for my backside. When I have back pain I find changing position is what hurts and that sitting is also uncomfortable.
 
Please consider seeing a highly recommended Chiropractor or maybe a Physical Therapist if you don’t feel better soon.

At 19 you are very young to be in pain in any normal movement/position.

You might be holding yourself in an awkward position, but if you have certain diseases/injuries it would be possibly the answer and you can get help.

I’m almost pushing 50 and I’m overweight. (Which I’m working on,) Kneeling kills my knees when I’m on the bare floor, but a padded kneeler I’m okay.

God Bless you, you are in my prayers.
 
I sometimes cross my ankles when kneeling.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
 
I apologize, I didn’t read the HUGE Disclaimer for not wanting Medical Advice.

Now, at 19 you might not believe it, but you probably will be granted many opportunities to offer up pain that comes into your life.

I don’t recommend creating any though.
 
Melodeonist said:
DISCLAIMER: This is not a medical advice thread. I am not interested in a medical diagnosis, nor am I interested in a cure.

Often times at Mass, or before Mass while kneeling I feel a pain in my lower back. I’m only 19, almost 20, and this can get quite annoying. I have heard that the “kneel sit” position is really only recommended for older folks, but I feel that this way is the best way to eliminate the pain for me. However, I am wondering if it’s God’s will that I feel the pain, so I may offer it up as a prayer.

Thoughts? 🙂
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I personally would recommend that if kneeling is causing you pain to NOT kneel, but I’m worshiping in the Maronite tradition and we do NOT kneel at Mass EXCEPT for a few moments at the Good Friday service.
 
Last year our pastor, now in his mid fifties, had knee replacement surgery, so apparently he, his doctors, his spiritual advisor and the bishop did not think that simply enduring pain was God’s will for him.

When I experience physical pain, I look for the reason and try to modify whatever behavior or condition might be causing it. Personally, if pain was really bothering me, I would talk to my doctor before I spoke with my priest, although I know my priest well enough to know that he would tell me not to kneel so much if kneeling was causing my back pain.

But we’re all different. God bless you. You are indeed young, and from my perspective (also in my mid fifties) there is a lifetime of painful experiences (and hopefully joyful and pleasant experiences too!) ahead of you without trying to seek them out.
 
Thanks for the replies! It’s probably just my back getting stiff from kneeling there. I don’t exercise because I don’t care for it at all. This is possibly the cause for the back pain, but I’d rather have the pain than have to exercise. 🙂
 
Melodeonist said:
DISCLAIMER: This is not a medical advice thread. I am not interested in a medical diagnosis, nor am I interested in a cure.

Often times at Mass, or before Mass while kneeling I feel a pain in my lower back. I’m only 19, almost 20, and this can get quite annoying. I have heard that the “kneel sit” position is really only recommended for older folks, but I feel that this way is the best way to eliminate the pain for me. However, I am wondering if it’s God’s will that I feel the pain, so I may offer it up as a prayer.

Thoughts? 🙂
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GIRM: Extract from 43:

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer,** except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason.** Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
 
Melodeonist said:
Thanks for the replies! It’s probably just my back getting stiff from kneeling there. I don’t exercise because I don’t care for it at all. This is possibly the cause for the back pain, but I’d rather have the pain than have to exercise. 🙂
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Exercise isn’t something you necessarily do for enjoyment. You do it to maintain good health and fitness. I don’t find brushing my teeth to be the most fun thing on Earth, but I still do it because I don’t want to have rotted teeth and stank breath.
 
If you can offer it up you may do so. If the pain is such that you are unable to fully participate in the Mass than you may not want to kneel. I wish I could still kneel but the pain in my knees is so great due to arthritis that when I attempt to do so I cry out in pain.
 
Melodeonist said:
Thanks for the replies! It’s probably just my back getting stiff from kneeling there. I don’t exercise because I don’t care for it at all. This is possibly the cause for the back pain, but I’d rather have the pain than have to exercise. 🙂
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Even if you did exercise, it probably would have no impact on this sort of pain. I frequently engage in strenuous physical activity, and the discomfort of kneeling doesn’t go away. 😛

It’s kneeling. The point of kneeling is not to feel no pain. Sometimes we have to suffer a bit when giving reverence to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
 
I deal with a lot of pain from illness and I offer that up to God … but I also have severe arthritis in my knees and can no longer kneel without crippling pain … so I do not kneel … I don’t think God wants me to be thinking about the pain instead of the mass that I am attending. So my advice to you would be not to kneel … this way you can concentrate on the mass.
 
Katherine438 said:
I deal with a lot of pain from illness and I offer that up to God … but I also have severe arthritis in my knees and can no longer kneel without crippling pain … so I do not kneel … I don’t think God wants me to be thinking about the pain instead of the mass that I am attending. So my advice to you would be not to kneel … this way you can concentrate on the mass.
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You are not required to kneel. See my earlier post from the GIRM.
 
I would get checked out by a physical therapist if this is really pain and not discomfort, or if it gets worse over time. My spine was at one point not aligned properly due to strong back muscles and comparably weak abs, which meant my back was slowly pulling my spine out of place. Physical therapy and making some lifestyle changes (quitting sleeping on my stomach was the big one) reversed it very easily.

I’m not saying you’re going through the same thing, but IMO it’s very unusual for a young able bodied person to experience anything more than mild discomfort from kneeling.
 
thistle said:
GIRM: Extract from 43:

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer,** except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason.** Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
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If you cannot kneel, it is generally preferable to stand and bow instead of sit during the kneeling portions of mass. But obviously if that causes you issues too, you can only do what you can and are able. One can offer it up and kneel anyway as the OP said, but I’m in agreement with the others here that if it’s causing pain, there’s no reason to do that, especially if you’re not sure the cause of the pain.
 
I have back and abdominal pain due to a health condition. I actually find kneeling directly on the floor versus the kneeler way more comfortable. 🤷 😃
 
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