How to Relieve Lower Back Pain While Sleeping: Proper Sleeping Positions and More
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How to relieve lower back pain while sleeping? This is an important question asked by patients who are looking for severe back pain relief Plano TX. Back pain doctor Plano TX says that the lumbar spine has a series of musculoskeletal structures, such as vertebrae, discs, and ligaments.
Discs strengthen the vertebrae and absorb shocks while ligaments hold them in place. Tendons connect your lower back with surrounding muscles and provide support. Nerves running through your spinal column have an important signal delivery function.
According to back pain doctor Plano TX, the lower back usually suffers from two types of pain: acute and chronic. The first one is short-term and lasts a few days or weeks. Acute back pain is often associated with an accident or fall that causes the injury.
On the other hand, chronic back pain goes on for more than three months. It is usually due to spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and myofascial pain syndrome. Read on!
How to Relieve Lower Back Pain While Sleeping
Discomfort and pain in your lumbar spine can significantly affect your quality of sleep. Many people with lumbar spine pain stay awake at night because the pain surges at nighttime. So, how to relieve lower back pain while sleeping?
Well, you can take medications and apply topical ointments or creams to relieve back pain, but drugs like NSAIDs can cause side effects if taken regularly. Research highlights that certain sleeping positions can alleviate lower back pain. Here are the best sleeping positions to reduce discomfort and pain at nighttime.
Sleep on your stomach with hip support
Although it is difficult for many patients to sleep on their stomachs, it is useful for those who struggle to sleep on their back or side. Place a comfortable pillow under your hips to provide some extra cushioning to your spine.
This sleeping position prevents your spine from curving unnaturally and helps reduce pressure on your lower back. Make sure you use a thin pillow under your head to ensure your head does not curve backward. That way, you can get severe back pain relief Plano TX.
Sleep on your side with knee support
Side sleeping is a common position, but it can lead to misalignment of your spine, especially if you have a low-quality mattress. Buying a comfortable mattress is worth your investment if you want to reduce back pain while sleeping. Sleep on your side and place a soft pillow between your knees to maintain spinal alignment and reduce back pain.
Back pain doctor Plano TX recommends side sleeping for pregnant women with lower back pain. Instead of using two separate pillows, it is best to sleep on your side with a body pillow to get severe back pain relief Plano TX.
Sleep on your side in the fetal position
How to relieve lower back pain while sleeping on your side? One way to do it is sleeping in the fetal position. Instead of sleeping straight, curl up your knees and tuck them into your chest to open up your spinal joints and prevent them from curving backward.
The fetal sleeping position is useful for patients with a bulging or herniated disc. So, if you want to maintain the health of discs and tissues in your spine, back pain doctor Plano TX recommends sleeping in the fetal position. Curling up creates more space between your vertebrae and decreases pressure and tension on your discs.
Inclined back sleeping position
Use an adjustable base or a wedge pillow when sleeping at an incline. It is an excellent severe back pain relief Plano TX that opens up space between your torso and legs to prevention pressure on your lumbar spine.
Moreover, inclined back sleeping is useful for various spinal conditions, including isthmic spondylolisthesis. Sleep at an incline if you want to reduce the symptoms of this condition, such as muscle spasms, stiffness, discomfort, pain, and sciatica.
Sleep on your back with knee support
Back sleeping provides comfort to your lower spinal structures. It can soothe your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and tissues. Place a pillow under your knees to maintain the spine’s natural curve.
Sleeping in this position allows for even distribution of bodyweight on your spine. As a result, it causes less or no stress on your lower back muscles. You can use a small blanket or rolled-up towel if you don’t have a comfortable pillow.
If your back pain persists even after you sleep in these positions, it is time to talk to a specialist at MINT. Our qualified and experienced back pain doctor Plano TX will advise you on how to relieve lower back pain while sleeping with techniques tailored to your needs. Contact MINT today!
