If you’re an ex-athlete or a hardcore gamer who’s spent one too many hours laying in his Sumo, you’ve probably suffered from some amount of back pain. This kind of pain can be a bummer after a long day on your feet or while you’re trying to sleep, or worse – when you’re trying to get some booty. This can lead to awkward positioning and totally unsexy moves, like the fetal-position-convulsing-like-an-upturned-turtle move (aka spooning) that allows both partners to be laying down.

According to new research though, the best position for pain-free sex is actually one of our favorites: doggy style! Via The Daily Mail:

The researchers analysed information gathered by infrared and electromagnetic motion capture systems which documented how 10 couples moved when attempting five common positions.

They then created a set of guidelines that recommended different positions and ‘thrusting techniques’ based on what triggered a man’s back pain.

The findings, published in the journal Spine, included a recommendation for men who were flexion-intolerant – meaning those whose back pain was made worse by touching their toes or sitting for long periods of time – who should replace spooning with doggy-style sex.

They should also try a ‘hip-hinging motion rather than thrusting with their spines’, the authors said.

Got that, gentlemen with back pain? Thrust with your hips, not with your back, and you’ll be able to have hours of fun, instead of collapsing into a geriatric puddle after 5 minutes with your booty call. Science: helping sad dudes with their sex lives, one study at a time!