TIFF 2014: A back-friendly guide to surviving screenings

Hundreds of thousands of filmmakers, movie buffs andcritics are flocking to the silver screen to take in the films on offer this year at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Withnearly 400 movies on theroster, one would have to sit for three weeks straight to see them all.

• TIFF 2014: How the professionals survive

But for many of the80 per cent of Canadianswho suffer from back pain, the thought of sitting through just onefeature film is enough to make them cringe.

Suffer not the screenings

Whether you're a die-hard cinephiledetermined to achieve maximum movie time, or you're just catching a flick after work, there are some easy things you can do to avoid an aching back.

Dr. Sid Lisseris achiropractor, acupuncturistandaction movie buff living in Toronto.

Despite his own experience with back pain, Lisser satiates his appetitefor movies by watching at least a couple every week.

"Sitting in any position for a long period is bad for you," he warns. "If I know Imgoing to see a long movie thenIll actually bring a sweater. I roll it up and put it behind my back, or I'll sit on it so I can raise my butt."

He also follows the following ergonomic rules for successful screenings:

• On mobile? See the photo here.

"Your knees should be equal to or slightly lower than your hips, the backs of your knees should always be two inches away from the seat pan. You should be as upright as possible," he said.

"I don't use the recline feature on the seats and generally speaking, if you're there for long periods of time, use a lumbar support."

It's not just how you're sitting that's the issue, but also for how long. Lissersays movement iskey.

"If I were [watching days of screenings], I would be in the back row, I would stand as much as possible ... I'd sit beside the aisle and stand up. Myseat isalways in the back row right beside the aisle."

Before the lights go down

There are alsopreventative measures moviegoers can take long before the lights go down.

"Before you go to the movie theatre, go see your health-care provider," Lisser suggests.

"You can get a massage therapist to massage you and kind of preemptively loosen your muscles,or chiropractic or physical therapy. They're all equally amazing."

Additionally, keeping spinal discshydrated by drinking lots of water and loosening muscles by stretching can also help.

TIFF's longestfilm, theblack-and-white Filipino dramaFrom What is Before,clocks in at over 5 hours. Not only will drinking water before a movie that long help keep your discs lubricated, it'll also guarantee a trip or two to the restroom, which would offer a back-friendly opportunity for stretching your legs.

The Toronto International Film festivalruns Sept. 4-14.