Use This Sleep Position for Back Pain
If you've got a testy lower back, here's something you can do in your sleep that might help: Sleep on your side.
Health experts say that this position puts less strain on your spine than sleeping on your back or your stomach does.
Less Painful Positioning
Joseph A. Abboud, MD, and Soo Kim Abboud, MD, coauthors of No More Joint Pain, contend that sleeping on your side is better for your back because it produces less curve in the spine. Also helpful: a firm mattress that supports your lower back. Tucking your legs up a bit and placing a pillow between your knees can help keep your spine comfier, too. (Find out what's causing your back pain with our Back Pain Assessment tool.)
More Back Issues
Another novel way to protect your back: Avoid cigarette smoke. Aside from all the obvious reasons that tobacco smoke is bad for you, it could also decrease blood flow to your spine and even fuel disc degeneration, according to the book's authors. Smoking also slows down your body's ability to heal and recover from injuries.
Keep your spine feeling fine with these other back tips as well:
- Feed it the good stuff. Chemical compounds in this fruit may help protect the cartilage in your back.
- Get a buff backside. Try these five tricks for a strong and resilient back.
- Sit strong in front of the TV. Learn the easy way to strengthen your back while channel surfing.
No More Joint Pain. Abboud, J. A., Abboud, S. K., New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2008.
