It does this by freeing circulation and breathing which in turn help induce relaxation. Back pain can hamper or even prevent one from meditation practice. With meditation comes body awareness. Since we are designed for constant movement, we do not fit in with our specialized, technological environment where tasks are performed over and over again, usually in a static posture. That is why we have repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Most back pain is caused by the repetitive activity of sitting.
We sit at home, in the car, at work or school, in the movies. What's worse, most of these seats or chairs will not allow autonomous sitting. When people begin to meditate on a zafu or kneeling bench they are often completely unprepared. Five or ten minutes can be difficult. Also, it can seem uncomfortable and the meditation can become a struggle just to keep upright.