I have been told your preferred sleeping position can tell a lot about your personality. Your sleeping position can also tell a lot about your physical health as well. The average person spends about 1/3 of each day sleeping, yet most of us don’t concern ourselves with our quality of sleep health .
So are you a healthy sleeper? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I awake refreshed?
- What position do I sleep in?
- How old is my mattress?
- Do I experience morning back pain?
- What is the quality of my pillow?
- Do I experience morning neck pain?
- How many hours do I sleep continuously
The best position for sleep is usually on your back. For most people putting a pillow under your knees can reduce any low back strain that may be present while in this position. Most therapeutic grade pillows are designed to accomodate a ‘back-sleeper.’ Side sleeping is a fine alternative for those who don’t like back sleeping. In this case be sure to place a pillow between the knees to reduce the amount of low back rotation that can occur. Stomach sleeping is not recommended. When sleeping on the stomach the head and neck are in extension and rotation. This happens to be the most problematic position for your neck and can cause multiple problems. There is no healthy way to sleep on your stomach when it comes to posture. Morning neck pain frequently accompanies stomach-sleeping. Deneration of the cervical spine can also be perpetuated by stomach sleeping postures.
If you are waking up with neck pain you should first evaluate your pillow. Does it support your head and neck? Does it support your head away from your shoulder if you are sleeping on your side? If your shoulder needs to be raised in order to sleep you should look for a new pillow as this may be the source of your neck pain.
There are many types of pillows that claim to solve sleep problems and range form $20 to $150. To decipher which pillow might work best for you identify which sleep position you prefer- on your back, side, or stomach. (Remember- it is highly recommended to avoid sleeping on your stomach).
If you are experiencing morning back pain there are some simple things to do to help alleviate that pain. If the pain does not diminish within a few days after adjusting your posture you should seek professional advice as your condition may be more serious. Chiropractic has an outstanding track record for alleviating low back pain. Additionally, you should evaluate your mattress. Most mattresses have a five to nine year warranty. This is due to the wear and tear that occurs. If your experience back or neck pain or diminished sleep quality consider the age of your mattress.
For any specific questions about sleeping position or morning low back or neck pain please contact us at 801-810-4144 to schedule a no charge consultation with Dr. Reynolds. We have offices in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah.
