AreYouHurtingYourNeckWhileYouSleep? We spend one third of our lives sleeping. Therefore, how you sleep and the bed you sleep on can have a dramatic effect on the support of your body. When you sleep you need to be aware of how your neck and spine are supported. There are many different types of beds on the market today which can be very confusing for consumers. The best type of bed is the one that you try out and feel most comfortable using. Typically, a bedthat isfirmunderneath,with a softer top helps to provide support as well as contour your body. If your mattress is old, then think about investing in a new one so that your neck and spine are supported well. The best positions to sleep in for your spine are on your backorsides.Avoidsleepingon your stomach since your spine endsuptwisted,especiallyyour neck.Overthehoursofrepetitive sleeping on your stomach, you can damage the joints of your spine and compress the nerves exiting your spine. Use a pillow to help support your body and take the weight of your legs off your spine. If you like to sleep on your back, place a pillow under the backs of your thighs and knees. This should place yourknees inaslight,supported bend which takes pressure off your lower back. If you sleep on yourside, besure to putapillow between your knees. This helps keep the alignment of your spine, and takes the pressure of your upper leg off the spine. Have 1-2 pillows under your head to keep your neck in proper alignment. If you need 2 pillows stagger them so that one pillowoverlaps the other by one half. The lower half goes under the shoulders, while the upper half supports the neck. As part of our SPINE Program, our physical therapists can show you exercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about our SPINE Program and discover howwe can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life!
Exercise Essentials
SCAPULAR RETRACTION Holdyourhandsbehindyourbackandslowly raise them off your back in a backward direction. Repeat 8 times.
DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING While lying down on your back, place one hand on your breast bone and one hand on your abdomen near your navel. Slowly take a deep breath in and focus on trying to get your hand on your navel to rise while the hand on your breast bone remains still. Repeat for 2 minutes.
Good For Your Whole Body
Good For Neck Pain
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