If you're one of the thousands of people who suffer from back pain you probably agree that one of the worst moments of the day for pain and stiffness is upon waking in the morning. This is often a result of poor sleeping positions. Believe it or not, say Ontario chiropractors, the way you sleep can often make a big difference in alleviating back pain or aggravating it. In order to wake up feeling less back pain, wellness practitioners will often recommend these sleeping positions:
Sleep on your side in a slightly curled position and try putting a small pillow between your knees and make certain you neck is well supported by your pillow.
If you prefer to sleep on your back, try sleeping with a small pillow tucked under your lower back and another under your lower legs. This will help to keep your spine aligned while sleeping. Again, be certain your neck is well supported.
Sleeping on your stomach is not generally recommended as it is the most unnatural position for the spine.
The type of mattress you choose can also have a huge impact on back pain. The mattress you sleep on should be firm yet comfortable and configure itself to your body. A mattress that is too soft will allow your spine to curve too much and a mattress that is too firm can cause increased stiffness. It can take some time to adjust to a new sleeping position if you have been sleeping a certain way for a long time. It may feel at first as though the new sleeping position is actually causing increased pain, but this is generally just your back adjusting to being aligned properly. Give it some time and you will see marked improvement.
As well as sleeping properly, how you get out of bed in the morning can also alter the way your back will feel throughout the day. When you go to get out of bed, swing your feet over the side of the bed and rest them on the floor while keeping your back straight. Stretch your back gently and then push yourself to your feet with both hands while keeping your spine straight. No doubt you get out of bed every morning without even thinking about how you do it, but the way you stand up can actually affect your entire day!
As always, if you continue to have back pain in spite of all your efforts to improve your posture, sleeping and lifting activities, you should consult an Ontario wellness practitioner in case there are more serious underlying problems that require attention.
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