For most people suffering with back and neck pain, sleep may not be as pleasant. To better deal with such dilemmas, it is helpful to understand and know what you can do to alleviate your condition and prevent further damage. With proper guidance and a proactive attitude, you don’t need to simply manage the condition, but improve it.

Back Pain Sleeping Positions

Back pain can be triggered by a number of reasons such as osteoarthritis, cervicalgia, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and sciatica, to name some. The best determine which sleeping position will work best for you, you need to know what is the underlying cause of your back pain.

• Supine Position

There are no rules when it comes to sleeping, but there are certain guidelines that you can follow to ensure a more comfortable sleep. If you prefer to sleep on your back, it is advisable to place a pillow underneath your knees, and another one under the small of your back. In this position, gravity can force the back to arch abnormally.

If you have sciatica or low back pain, sleeping in this position can be a challenge. So be sure to provide support on your back and beneath the back of your knees to alleviate any pressure on the lower back. A good variation of this position is to lie on your back but with both knees slightly bent

• Prone Lying

This refers to lying on your stomach. In this particular position, gravity forces your back to arch towards the stomach. This can be uncomfortable for people with low back pain. To best accommodate this position, place a pillow under the stomach. This will effectively prevent your back from arching too much.

• Side Lying

Now, if you prefer to sleep on your side, then that’s a good thing. Most experts consider this as the best position for people with back pain. However, keep in mind that you will still need pillows for support, one placed between your knees and under the waist. This position is best adapted by people who are in the inflammatory stage of pain, where even the most minimal movement can trigger pain.