If you suffer from lower back pain, you are far from alone. Statistics say that in a six-month period, five in 10 Canadians have suffered from lower back pain and up to 85 per cent of working people can expect to experience low back pain at least once during their lifetime. The medical costs in Canada associated with lower back problems ranges from 6 and 12 billion dollars annually.
Tossing and turning all night while trying to find a comfortable position can make it nearly impossible to sleep. Many people are unaware that how you sleep can make a big difference when it comes to lower back pain. Some positions can make your pain worse because they put a strain on your back whereas other positions will actually make your pain better!
According to the National Sleep Foundation, those who experience acute or chronic pain will have trouble sleeping, thus affecting their daily lives. In turn, this reduced amount of sleep affects their relationships, moods, and even enjoyment of life.
“Sleep quality and duration should be considered a vital sign, as they are strong indicators of overall health and quality of life. Just getting 18-23 minutes of extra sleep increased many people’s feelings of increased health. At first, low back pain does not cause sleeplessness. However, as this pain continues it creates several disruptions in sleep each hour of sleep, leading to awakening. By not getting a continuous sleep cycle, the person never completely rests. Decreased sleep makes chronic low back pain worse.”
However, there are simple things you can do at home to help you sleep better despite your back pain.
- Sleep On Your Back With A Pillow Under Your Knees
Laying flat on your back with a pillow underneath your knees will help keep your spine neutral. The reason that the pillow is so important is because it aids in keeping the curve in your lower back.
- Upgrade Your Mattress
How long has it been since you have upgraded your mattress? Over time, a mattress can lose some of its springiness over time and this means it’s not as good at keeping your spine aligned when you sleep. If you suffer from back issues, the more support you have the better. If you’re not read to replace your current mattress completely, simply adding a foam topper to your existing mattress can help.
- Limit Electronics Before Bed
Turning off all electronics in the house at least thirty minutes before you head for bed is an essential part of a good night’s sleep. The reason being is that your body can often get confused as to what time of day it is by the light emitted from your devices – whether you suffer from back pain or not. Leave phones, iPads and tablets out of the bedroom, so that there is zero screen light and electronics in there, you should also avoid blue light that comes out of every screen.
All to often low back pain is caused due to a structural shift. A Grimsby chiropractor from West Niagara Chiropractic team can help you get rid of the pain for good, rather than providing only temporary relief. When it comes to complete chiropractic care, their Grimsby Chiropractic team will customize a treatment plan specific to your health care need. Call them today at 905-945-3730 to make an appointment at their conveniently located chiropractic office at 17 Ontario St. in Grimsby, Ontario.
