Best Sleeping Positions for Back Pain Relief
You’re not alone if you experience lower back. A study from the Global Burden of Disease found the leading cause of disability is lower back pain.
Most back pain is often caused by stress or strain from bad posture, awkward sleeping positions, and other lifestyle habits.
Try these sleeping positions to help get a better night’s rest if you’re experiencing lower back pain.
Sleep on Your Side
Using a pillow between your knees is the trick to helping you feel better. A pillow will help keep your hips, pelvis, and spine in better alignment.
If possible, you should resist the urge to always sleep on the same side. Sleeping on the same side of your body may cause issues like muscle imbalance and even scoliosis.
Sleep in the Fetal Position
Sleeping on your side, curled in a fetal position, may help if you have a herniated disc. Your discs are soft cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Herniation happens when part of a disc pushes out of its normal space, causing weakness, nerve pain, and more.
Curling your torso into a fetal position opens the space between vertebrae. Remember to switch sides from time to time to prevent any imbalances.
Sleep on Your Stomach
You may have heard that sleeping on your stomach is bad for back pain. This is partly true because it may add stress to your neck.
But you don’t have to force another position if you find yourself resting on your stomach. To relieve some of the pressure off your back, simply place a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen.
If you have degenerative disc disease, you may benefit the most from sleeping on your stomach with a pillow. It can relieve any stress that is placed on the space between your discs.
Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping on your back is commonly the best position to relieve back pain. Place a pillow underneath your knees and keep your spine neutral. The pillow is important; it works to keep that curve in your lower back.
When you sleep on your back, your weight is evenly distributed and spread across the widest area of your body. As a result, you place less strain on your pressure points.
Speak with an Orthopedic Specialist Today
Are you suffering from back pain? Make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists today to start your healing journey. OrthoArizona has nearly two dozen offices throughout the Valley, each focused on quality care, compassion, and excellent customer service. Since 1994, OrthoArizona has been dedicated to compassionate care of the highest quality.
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.