Back Pain: Sleep Your Way to Less Pain

Back pain is a common issue that affects many individuals, and the quality of your mattress and your sleep position can play a significant role in promoting or reducing pain. Rest is designed to help the body recover, but a bad mattress and poor sleep position could be promoting more dysfunction and pain. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of a good mattress and proper sleep position in reducing back pain.

Recently I was working with a client, whose primary complaint was not back pain but each session would mention that he would wake up with back pain that would gradually get better throughout the day. We tried several different things but his pain kept coming back. So I started asking him about his sleeping habits, sleep position, pillow use, and mattress. Now I know they built items to last and they don’t make things like they used to, but he told me is mattress is over 30 years old! I told him, look no further, that was the cause of his back pain.

A quality mattress should provide adequate support for the spine, allowing the body to maintain its natural alignment while sleeping. An old or worn-out mattress can put extra strain on the back, leading to chronic pain and discomfort. A good mattress should be firm enough to provide support, but also soft enough to allow for comfort. Not only is the mattress important but also the pillows or how many you use. The goal is to facilitate a neutral position with your spine so a supportive pillow that promotes this in whatever position you sleep in, will help

In addition to a good mattress, the way you sleep can also play a role in reducing back pain. Sleeping on your back with a pillow to support the neck and maintain spinal alignment is the ideal position for reducing back pain. Sleeping on your stomach can put extra strain on the neck and back, and sleeping on your side can cause strain on the hips and lower back. However, I know many people aren’t going to change their sleeping position now, so make sure you utilize the right pillows to help that spine stay in neutral alignment.

The combination of a good mattress and proper sleep position can go a long way in reducing back pain and improving your quality of life. However, if you are experiencing back pain, it is important to seek help from a professional. A physical therapist at Resolve Physical Therapy can perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the root cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to help reduce pain and improve your overall quality of life.

In conclusion, the quality of your mattress and your sleep position can play a significant role in reducing or promoting back pain. By investing in a good mattress and maintaining proper sleep posture, you can help reduce pain and improve your quality of life. If you are experiencing back pain and ready to take control of your pain, our team at Resolve Physical Therapy is here to help. Don't wait, schedule an appointment today!