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Find out how flexible you areWhy do some people find that their back pain is worse when they try to sleep, while some people find that going to bed eases pain significantly? Well, it all depends on your sleeping position. In today's blog post I discuss the best sleeping positions for easing back pain.
If you suffer from back pain, the last thing you need is terrible sleep. And yet some people tell us that the only time they find relief is when they go to bed, so what are they doing right?
You may have seen people walking about with a bent posture, perhaps with the aid of a stick or frame. They’ll have a degree of Spinal Stenosis. Stenosis means ‘choking’ and when the discs, or the supporting muscles, tendons or ligaments of the spine deteriorate, the nerves that run through the spine can become compressed (or ‘choked’). People with Spinal Stenosis tend to lean forward because doing so opens up the joints in the spine, relieving their lower back pain.
It’s this clue that tells us what to do at bedtime.
You don’t have to have Spinal Stenosis to benefit from these simple bedtime measures, as they may relieve other causes of back pain, such as a bulging disc from over exertion or compression after a long car journey, so do give them a try.
Her's my advice on how to sleep better for back pain. Don’t think that the position you choose must be strictly adhered to all night long though. You’ll toss and turn anyway and remaining in one position too long will cause joints to stiffen up. However, these positions are a good way to start the night.
Just like you shouldn't maintain the same position all night, you also shouldn't spend to much time in the same position during the day. If you’re committed to a desk chair, a car seat or the couch, get up and moving for better mobility, perhaps taking the time to perform some daily back strengthening exercises.
Keeping active may be a better back pain remedy than taking paracetamol, which was found to be no more effective than dummy pills according to a recent report. I recommend swimming as an excellent step and other hydro therapies are also helpful if you’re not swimming-fit or need the support of the water to protect your back. Our local leisure centre has “£1 Wednesdays”, perhaps yours has something similar?
Applying some Atrogel arnica gel before getting into bed can also help to ease pain as you go to sleep, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Some foods can increase inflammation and discomfort, whilst others can actually reduce it and relieve pain. Discover which foods you should eat fewer of (some might surprise you) and what you should eat more of instead, when suffering from muscle & joint pain.
Answer our questions and find out if your flexibility is compromised.
Find out how flexible you areAs the A. Vogel Muscles and Joints advisor, I recommend Atrogel® for the effective relief from aches and pains.
Learn moreBack pain is one of the most common complaints of the UK workforce, resulting in approximately 15 million missed days at work per year!
Don't let work be a pain in the back!Discover the story of Alfred VogelNature is just about the best thing we’ve got!
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