Toronto, Sep 10 (IANS): Is back pain affecting your sex life? Now, get to know why certain positions are better than others when it comes to avoiding back pain between the sheets.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada have discovered that spooning - the name is derived from the way two spoons are positioned side by side - is not the only position that helps people with a bad back.

"Sex positions that are suitable for one type of back pain are not appropriate for another kind of pain," said lead author Natalie Sidorkewicz.

The findings recommend that men whose back pain is made worse by touching their toes or sitting for long periods of time should replace spooning with the doggy-style position.

"They should use a hip-hinging motion rather than thrusting with their spines," researchers noted.

During the study, researchers used infrared and electromagnetic motion capture systems to track how 10 couples' spines moved when attempting five common sex positions.

The findings resulted in a set of guidelines that recommends different sex positions and thrusting techniques for people with back pain.

The study also found that it is abdominal and buttock and not back muscles that are most active during male orgasm.

Spine motion, on the other hand, varied with the individual.

"These guidelines have the potential to improve love life for many couples," the researchers added.