How to Relieve Lower Back Pain While Sleeping: Back Pain Medication
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How to relieve lower back pain while sleeping? In the United States, over 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Lower back pain is one of the common reasons people seek their health providers. Back pain at night time or while sleeping means you have a severe spinal problem.
Many people with lower back pain can adjust their sleeping postures to relieve the pain they experience during the day. However, some people have increased pain at nighttime, mostly when they lay down on the bed. This is known as nocturnal back pain. The question is how to relieve lower back pain while sleeping? Let’s find out in this article.
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How to relieve lower back pain while sleeping?
Causes of lower back pain while sleeping includes mechanical problems like disc degeneration, injuries, sprains, fractures, and conditions like scoliosis, spinal stenosis, compression, kidney stones, arthritis, cancer, and even pregnancy.
Here at MINT, our back pain Plano TX has the answer for “how to relieve lower back pain while sleeping?” First, we will discuss some postures and then highlight some medication that can help you relieve lower back pain while sleeping. Continue reading!
Sleep on Your Stomach
If you are looking for severe back pain relief in Plano TX, make sure you sleep on your stomach. Our back pain doctor Plano, TX, recommends this position for individuals with degenerative disc disease. It releases pressure on the space between your spinal discs.
Although many people think that sleeping on the stomach can worsen back pain, there is no scientific evidence that supports this view. However, it can put stress on your neck. Place a soft pillow under your abdomen and pelvis to relieve some pressure off your lumbar spine. Our back pain doctor, Plano TX, recommends not using a pillow under your head to stay comfortable while sleeping.
Sleep on Your Side
How to relieve lower back pain while sleeping, especially if you have herniated disc? Our professional back pain doctor Plano TX, suggests sleeping on the side for people with a herniated disc. Discs serve as soft cushions between your spinal vertebrae. A disc with poor alignment causes herniation that leads to spinal weakness and pain.
When you sleep on the side in a curling position, it opens the space between your discs and relieves pain. While sleeping on your side, tuck your knees toward your torso. Don’t forget to switch from one side to another from time to time to avoid imbalances.
Sleep in a Reclined Position
Another posture for severe back pain relief Plano TX is sleeping in a reclined position. It works better when you sleep on your back. The position is best for people suffering from spondylolisthesis. Make sure you have an adjustable bed to maintain alignment and support.
Nocturnal Lower Back Pain Medication
How to relieve back pain while sleeping with medication? Here at MINT, our qualified and professional doctors recommend various medications to people for severe back pain relief Plano TX.
Each medicine or drug is prescribed based on the pain severity and patient’s tolerance level. Pain relievers, such as NSAIDs, are prescribed to help fight inflammation in the back that causes pain. Some common NSAIDs are Motrin, Ibuprofen, and Aspirin.
Acetaminophen works on the brain and spinal cord to relieve lower back pain. It blocks pain receptors to send signals to the brain and produces an analgesic effect on the spinal muscles to help you sleep better at night.
Sometimes, our doctor prescribes muscle relaxants, such as Cyclobenzaprine, Metaxalone, and Tizanidine, to patients with lower back pain. These medications soothe your muscles, trigger cellular mechanisms to supply more oxygen and nutrients to the affected muscles in the spine. As a result, you feel less pain and sleep comfortably at night.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Although sleeping postures and medications can relieve pain in the lower spine, our experienced surgeon will suggest minimally invasive surgery to permanently relieve pain. Conservative treatments are useful, but when they fail to provide relief, patients undergo spinal surgery.
Unlike open back surgery that has many downsides, a minimally invasive spinal surgery offers many benefits. For instance, it spares delicate muscles, tissues, and nerves in the lower spine by making a small incision to perform the procedure.
Likewise, there is less or no blood loss, fewer scars, shorter hospital stays, and a short rehabilitation period. MINT has qualified and skilled surgeons with many years of experience, and to date, we have treated hundreds of patients with nocturnal lower back pain.
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology tools and equipment to ensure the process goes smoothly without any complications. This article has talked about how to relieve lower back pain while sleeping through postures, medication, and minimally invasive surgery. Contact us today!