It is well known that back injuries are one of the most common health problems afflicting Americans. Sports, workplace accidents, and repetitive, strenuous physical movements, as well as obesity, may cause back problems. To promptly recover from back injury, doctors recommend adequate sleep and rest.
However, to gain the right rest, you need a sound, comfortable sleep in bed, which makes sleeping on the right type of mattress imperative. When looking for one, consider every one of your sleeping positions.
How Sleep Quality Affects Your Back’s Recovery
Sleep is the only occasion when all your muscles, ligaments, and your spine components can completely relax. If you’re suffering from a back disorder or injury, a sound sleep becomes ever more important because a good night’s sleep helps your body recover faster physically and psychologically. Sleeping provides torn muscles and ligaments time and energy to heal, while easing your mind so that your body can focus on recuperation without the complication of stress.
The Role Mattresses Play in Sleeping Patterns
Mattresses should especially fit your sleeping pattern when suffering from a bad back. Choose one that fits the curves of your back and makes you feel comfortable in whichever position you might lie. Medium-firm mattresses are recommended for back pain, although the meaning of medium-firm can differ for each person. Select a mattress that’s not too soft or too hard for your back in order to help you sleep and recover faster.
A Sleeping Guide for Every Sleeping Position
Since you need a quality of sleep conducive to back recovery, heed some tips for every sleeping position.
If you like to sleep on your side, pull your legs up slightly to your chest and put a pillow between your legs. A full-length pillow between your legs can help you sleep better, too.
If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees to help preserve the natural curve of your lower back. You can also place a small, rolled towel under the small of your back for improved support. Likewise, using a neck pillow or a pillow under the neck can help you maintain a comfortable sleeping position.
When sleeping on your stomach, try placing a flat pillow under your stomach and hips to decrease pressure on the spine. Doctors do not recommend sleeping in the prone position, however, because it taxes the back and the neck, which produces back pain by morning.
Back injuries can heal faster through high-quality sleep, such as that derived from a medium-firm mattress and proper sleep arrangements for all of your sleeping positions. By merely adding strategically placed pillows to the equation, you will experience a sounder sleep and a faster recovery from back injuries.
Sources:
“Slide show: Sleeping positions that reduce back pain,” MayoClinic.Org
“Mattresses for Back Conditions,” Spine-Health.com
