A good night’s sleep is key to having a successful day. If you find yourself tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable because of lower back pain, then you can lose hours of precious sleep. There are so many reasons why people don’t get enough sleep each night, and you shouldn’t let lower back pain be one of them. Thankfully, there are many options for how to sleep with lower back pain and sciatica so you can get a good night’s rest. No matter what is causing your lower back pain or sciatica, car accident chiropractors can help walk you through what will work best for your body. Learn more about the best sleep position for sciatica that could help you.
How Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Can Affect Your Sleep
Lower back pain can be dull and throbbing, sharp and stabbing, or even all of the above. No matter what type of lower back pain or sciatica you are struggling with, it can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule and leave you feeling tired and irritable the next day. Here are common causes of lower back pain and sciatica
Poor Posture
If you spend a significant amount of time at a desk hunching over a keyboard, then your poor posture could end up causing those sleepless nights. Poor posture throughout the day can trigger lower back pain and sciatica, making it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Acute Lower Back Injury
A sudden or acute injury to your lower back can also negatively affect your sleep. If you suffered a lower back injury during a car accident, then you may have difficulty sitting or laying down in certain positions without experiencing pain or aggravating nerves.
Overuse Injury
Repetitive movements and overuse like heavy lifting can also aggravate your sciatica and cause lower back pain. Whether you recently moved into a new home and carried really heavy furniture or have a job that requires frequent heavy lifting, poor support for your lower back can lead to back pain that leaves you sleepless and uncomfortable at night.
Pregnancy
Women can develop sciatica during pregnancy as their bodies stretch and grow. The sciatic nerve at the base of the spine can become aggravated, causing shooting or stabbing pains that may radiate down one or both legs.
Best Sleeping Positions for Sciatica and Lower Back Pain
The best way to sleep with sciatica can depend on what is causing your lower back pain in the first place. Here are several sciatica sleeping position options to consider:
Sleeping on Your Side
If you are experiencing sciatica during pregnancy, then sleeping on your side can help alleviate your pain. Sleeping on your side can help take the pressure off the sciatic nerve, reducing irritation and inflammation.
Sleeping in the Fetal Position
The fetal position is a specific way to sleep on your side that can help stretch your spine while you sleep. If you have lower back pain due to a herniated disc, then sleeping in the fetal position can help create more space between your vertebrae and keep the disc from compressing nearby nerves.
Pillows for Knee Support
Pillows or rolled-up towels placed between your knees can also help provide extra support when you sleep on your side. When you sleep on your side with your knees together, it can cause your lower back to twist and may make your discomfort worse. Placing a pillow between your knees can help keep the hips in proper alignment and keep your spine from twisting.
Pillows for Lower Back Support
If you prefer to sleep on your back, then try putting a pillow or rolled-up towel underneath your lower back to help allow for support. Sleeping on your back can exacerbate your sciatica when there is a gap between your lower back and the bed. The pillow can help bridge the gap and help your spine stay in its natural alignment.
Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
Visit your car accident doctor to learn more about treatment options for lower back pain and sciatica. Talk to your chiropractor if your pain and other symptoms are preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, and try these natural and noninvasive techniques to help find a sleeping position that works best for you.
