depends on the day and how he is feeling. Not sure there is a set time, but I notice on the weekends I have more back pain, b/c I sit too much. Probably a good idea to stand up and walk around at least each hour. Even if only for a minute or two.

I can't sit on my sofa, I can only sit in a recliner with lumbar or my office chair. If I sit on a couch for more than a few minutes I can feel it. It must be the slouching putting pressure on my low back. My back pain is the 2 lowest vertebrae, if his pain is in different parts he may have to try other things.

I also bought a teeter inversion table, I stretch by hanging upside down at 60 degrees for 3 minutes a day. I have read of possible issues with high blood pressure with inversion tables, I am in my late 40s.

thermacare heat wraps help a lot on occasion, not a daily thing, just if he has a real bad day.

I had back surgery once years ago, but they just removed fragments from one of my discs and pushed it back in place. Went to a nuerosurgeon, he warned me against spinal fusion, which is what orthopedics do.