The Best Sleeping Position for Back Pain

The Best Sleeping Position for Back Pain

Sleep is one of the most important factors contributing to good health. While many overlook its importance, sleep, or lack thereof, can have a huge impact on your mood, performance, energy levels, mental cognition, and even risk of disease, among other things.

For those that do understand the value of a good night’s rest, kudos!! You may not know it, but you’re improving your health without even being awake for it!

The result from a chiropractic standpoint if you don’t? Poor recovery, increased risk of injury, and ultimately, a much-needed visit to your friendly neighborhood chiropractor.

There’s more to getting a good night’s rest than just putting your head down on the pillow and shutting your eyes. In fact, several factors impact the quality of your sleep and the duration at which you remain asleep.

One of the most important factors, especially when it comes to back pain? Your sleeping position.

The Effects of a Poor Sleeping Position

As mentioned above, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the best sleeping position. Simply put, the most optimal sleeping position for you is one that will result in the best night’s rest; one that will allow you to sleep the longest and deepest, and one that is the most comfortable, of course.

With that being said, certain sleeping positions are inferior and are most commonly shown to negatively impact one’s health, especially from a chiropractic standpoint. Below are the most common symptoms of poor sleep resulting from a poor sleeping position when it comes to musculoskeletal health:

• Back and Neck Pain, Discomfort, or Stiffness
• Shoulder Pain and Discomfort
• Spinal Misalignment

Other unrelated side effects from a poor sleeping position include excessive snoring. Development of sleep apnea, and skin breakouts, among other undesirable side effects…

The Best Sleeping Position for Your Back

The common theme here is to find a sleeping position that works for you; A sleeping position that’s suitable, comfortable, and healthy; A sleeping position that prevents or relieves symptoms of poor sleep; A sleeping position that you can enjoy and sustain for the long term.

For those with evident back pain, however, and especially in cases where such pain is chronic or acute, a more specific sleeping position is likely required… With that said, no matter what sleeping position you deem suitable for you, ensure that your spine is aligned.

Below are some of the most optimal sleeping positions for the prevention or relief of back pain:

• The Side Fetal Position – If you’re like most, you already sleep on your side. If so, you’re one step ahead! However, here’s how to optimize this position… It’s simple; simply place a pillow between your knees!
• The Belly Position – Contrary to what you might have heard, you can still sleep on your belly while keeping your spine aligned. How? By placing a pillow underneath your abdomen!
• The Back Position – Arguably the most recommended position for back pain, sleeping on your back with a pillow underneath your knees is evidently effective at preventing and reducing back pain.

As you can tell, a sleeping position is optimal when your spine is aligned. By using an additional pillow to your advantage, you can place your spine in alignment with almost any position you choose!

Here at Chawla Chiropractic:

One of the primary benefits of chiropractic care is the prevention of pain and discomfort, especially as it pertains to the neck, back, and spine. While we here at Chawla Chiropractic are eager to assist in the prevention of such pain or discomfort to our clients, we’re just as eager to provide solutions that you can implement outside of your chiropractic appointments.

If you want to learn more about our services, or if you’re eager to book in an appointment, contact us by phone at (617) 334-5002, email us at drc@chawlachiropractic.com, or visit us onsite at 435 Newbury St. Danvers, MA 01923. We look forward to meeting you!