Can A Poor Sleeping Position Cause Back Pain?

Are you waking up with back pain? Sleeping and poor sleeping habits is the main cause of major back pain in the morning and misalignment of the spine. Everyone sleeps in different ways, but there are certain positions that are better for your back than other positions. Let’s start with the sleeping positions that you should avoid, then work our way to the best sleeping positions for you. The worst sleeping position for you is lying flat on your stomach (prone). This position flattens the natural curve in your spine and forces you to twist your neck, placing massive stress on your spine and lower back. It may be comfortable for a little while but tends to cause spine pain overtime. Next, sleeping on your side can be bad for you, but if you do it the right way it can be done comfortably. The wrong way to lay on your side is to extend your legs fully without any support in between your legs. This shifts your hips, pelvis, and spine out of alignment. The correct way to lay on your side is in more of a fetal position with a pillow between your legs to keep your pelvis and spine in a more neutral position. Lastly, the best position to sleep in is flat on your back with a little neck support from a pillow and a pillow or support under your knees/ behind your legs to promote the natural curve in your spine. Lots of people don’t like sleeping on their back because they say it’s uncomfortable, but if done right, it can relieve the pain and stress in your back. If you are feeling severe pain or would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to reach out to Axis Spine and Orthopedics!