Sex Positions That Give Your Wrists and Knees a Break

You wanted sex. Somehow you've ended up holding your body weight on two bent wrists while trying to look pleased about it.

If your wrists or knees dislike a position, give them less to do. Side-lying, reclining and supported seated options can change where your weight goes, leaving more attention for the person touching you. None is guaranteed to suit every body, but you don't have to keep doing the one that hurts.

Lie on your sides instead of leaning on your hands

Facing each other on your sides lets the mattress support most of your body. You can kiss, use hands or a toy and adjust your legs without staying on all fours.

Facing the same direction gives you spooning. Keep the lower arm somewhere comfortable rather than trapped beneath a partner. A wrist-friendly position loses some of its charm when your shoulder starts complaining instead.

Use head support that lets your neck relax. You should be thinking about the touch, not counting down until you can move your arm.

Recline with your legs comfortably supported

Lying on your back can take weight off your hands and knees. Let your legs rest in a comfortable position rather than holding them high or wide for someone else's convenience.

The partner alongside you can use hands or a toy without climbing on top. If you do want penetration, choose an arrangement that supports both people rather than transferring all the hard work to one set of joints.

There is no rule saying the person giving the attention has to kneel. Sit or lie beside your partner if that gives you better access.

Use a stable seat if it suits your body

A supportive chair can let you sit upright without leaning through your wrists. Both feet need comfortable support, and the chair must stay stable rather than sliding or tipping.

Getting into and out of the chair matters as much as sitting in it. If the transfer is difficult or the seat makes your hips uncomfortable, the bed may be the easier choice.

Our seated sex guide explores those options. Don't give the dining chair special treatment just because someone once called chair sex adventurous.

Use pillows to support, not force a stretch

A pillow under an arm or leg can help hold a comfortable position. Keep it stable and stop if it pushes a joint somewhere you don't want it.

The sex pillow comparison explains shape and firmness. Buying a wedge isn't a treatment for pain, and a taller stack of pillows isn't automatically a better idea.

For injury, recent surgery or ongoing symptoms, get advice suited to you from a clinician or physiotherapist. Stop for pain, numbness or instability.

Keep the pleasure, ditch the pose

Our non-penetrative sex guide has more options that don't depend on aligning two bodies for penetration.

You can still flirt, get naked and enjoy a filthy sense of humour while being properly supported. Comfortable sex is sex. Your knees don't have to suffer to prove you meant it.