How Sleeping Posture Causes Back Pain

29 Nov How Sleeping Posture Causes Back Pain

When you think of poor posture and back pain, your sitting or standing posture is likely what comes to mind. However, you may be forgetting your sleeping position. Your posture during sleep can have adverse effects on your spinal column and cause you to wake up with back pain. At Island Chiropractic, our Chiropractors in Jericho NY can help determine your pain issues and how your sleeping posture contributes to them. Continue reading to discover how sleeping posture can cause back pain. 

How Can Sleeping Posture Cause Back Pain?

If you wake up in the morning with pain you normally don’t feel during the day, your sleeping position is likely playing a role. Aside from tossing and turning in the night, your sleeping posture is maintained for several hours at a time. If an area of your body is twisted, crooked, or held at a strange angle, it will remain that way longer than it would when you’re awake. As a result, an awkward sleeping posture can leave you in a lot of pain the next day. 

Best Sleep Posture For Spine Health

When you sleep, trying to keep your spine as neutral as possible is essential. Your legs should keep a natural bend in the knee and not be overly straight. By keeping your spine and body position neutral and relaxed, your spine will remain in a position similar to optimal standing posture. If you’re struggling with back pain, try sleeping in these optimal positions:

• Side fetal position – Lying on your side in a fetal position helps open up the space between your spinal vertebrae and prevents the spine from curving backward. Lessening the tension on your discs can help avoid pain. 

• Reclined – Lying flat in a reclined position reduces pressure on your spine. Reclining provides more support to your back by creating an angle between your torso and thighs. 

• Pillow Support – Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees can help reduce lower back pain and maintain proper spinal alignment. 

Contact Our Chiropractors in Jericho NY

Back pain can seriously affect the quality of your day-to-day performance, but it doesn’t have to take a toll on the quality of your sleep. At Island Chiropractic, our Chiropractors in Jericho NY will evaluate your back pain and help you find the optimal sleeping position to reduce your back pain overnight. Be sure to contact us today to learn more and request an appointment!