Back pain can make restful sleep difficult, often leading to tossing, turning, and waking up feeling more sore than before. Discomfort in the spine or muscles can interfere with the body’s ability to find a supportive position at night (Finan et al., 2013). Without proper rest, recovery slows down, and pain may become more persistent (Haack & Mullington, 2005). At Delmarva Chiropractic P.C. in Salisbury, MD, our chiropractor provides solutions designed to improve both spinal health and sleep quality.

Choosing The Right Sleeping Position

The position you sleep in can either reduce strain or make your pain worse. For many patients, lying on the back with a small pillow beneath the knees helps relieve pressure in the lower back (Gordon & Grimmer-Somers, 2011). Side sleepers often do better when placing a pillow between their knees to keep the spine aligned (Mawdsley & Knapik, 2000). Stomach sleeping is generally discouraged because it increases stress on the spine and neck (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Supportive Mattress And Pillow Choices

The right mattress and pillow play an important role in supporting the spine while resting. A medium-firm mattress is often recommended since it cushions the body without allowing it to sink too deeply (Jacobson et al., 2010). Pillows should provide enough support to keep the head and neck aligned with the spine (Radwan et al., 2015). For patients needing lower back pain treatment, a small lumbar pillow may provide added comfort (Kuslich et al., 2006).

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care addresses the underlying issues that may be contributing to poor sleep and discomfort. Regular chiropractic adjustments can relieve pressure on joints, improve mobility, and help reduce inflammation (Goertz et al., 2018). Our chiropractor also provides personalized advice on posture and lifestyle habits that support healing (Paige et al., 2017). For anyone searching for a chiropractor near you, our clinic offers care that focuses on both symptom relief and long-term wellness.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Back pain should not prevent you from getting the sleep your body needs. At Delmarva Chiropractic P.C., our chiropractor offers lower back pain treatment and personalized chiropractic care to patients in Salisbury, MD. Call Delmarva Chiropractic P.C. today to schedule your visit and take the first step toward sleeping better and waking up with less pain.

References

Finan, P. H., Goodin, B. R., et al. (2013). The association of sleep and pain: An update and a path forward. Journal of Pain, 14(12), 1539–1552.

Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., et al. (2018). Effect of usual medical care plus chiropractic care vs usual medical care alone on pain and disability among US service members with low back pain. JAMA Network Open, 1(1), e180105.

Gordon, S., & Grimmer-Somers, K. (2011). Your guide to a healthy back. Adelaide: The University of South Australia.

Haack, M., & Mullington, J. M. (2005). Sustained sleep restriction reduces emotional and physical well-being. Pain, 119(1–3), 56–64.

Jacobson, B. H., Gemmell, H. A., et al. (2010). Effectiveness of a selected bedding system on quality of sleep, low back pain, shoulder pain, and spine stiffness. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 1(3), 96–103.

Kuslich, S. D., Ulstrom, C. L., et al. (2006). The tissue origin of low back pain and sciatica: A report of pain response to tissue stimulation during operations on the lumbar spine using local anesthesia. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 22(2), 181–187.

Mawdsley, R. H., & Knapik, J. J. (2000). Effects of side-lying sleep positions on spinal symptoms in patients with low back pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 30(7), 387–391.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Sleeping positions: Best and worst. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/

Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., et al. (2017). Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 317(14), 1451–1460.

Radwan, A., Fess, P., et al. (2015). Effect of different pillow designs on neck pain, waking symptoms, and sleep quality in side sleepers with chronic neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 38(9), 601–611.