Bad back from sleeping

longwalks1 · 19 June 2017 at 8:46AM

Ive suffered on and off with a bad back for a few years, lower back on my waistline (roughly). We've recently bought a new mattress thats the comfiest Ive ever slept on, but still a bad back. I always toss and turn in my sleep and end up on my front, with one knee up towards my chest (not that high though) hugging a pillow to my chest, which in turn arches my back a lot, for most of the night.

Ive tried everytihng, laying on my back, in the featal position with a pillow between my knees, but still end up in the same, back aching position
Any advice please, as its starting to effect me the first hour of the day

elsien · 19 June 2017 at 8:49AM

Have you had any help for your bad back - physio, core exercises, whatever?
Sounds like the mattress might not be giving enough support if comfortable equates to soft?

DCFC79 · 19 June 2017 at 9:42AM

If not already (and as elsien suggested) I would consider some help with the back, maybe you could ask them the question re the mattress as in do you go for a harder one or do they have any other suggestions.

Hedgehog99 · 19 June 2017 at 9:58AM

It's possible to train yourself out of a bad sleeping position.

Is the pillow you end up hugging one of your usual pillows or a pillow you have specifically to hug? If the latter, get rid of the temptation.

If it's your usual pillow, what if you used a spare sheet at the top of the bed, tucked under the mattress & then looped under & back over the top of your pillow(s) & tucked back under the mattress again, that'd stop you moving the pillow(s) down to hug in your sleep & might help you train yourself out of doing it.

I used to sleep on my right side, but then realised I shouldn't & I managed to train myself out of it - I'd wake as I began to turn & could then consciously turn the other way before going back to sleep.

Nile · 19 June 2017 at 5:23PM

britishboy wrote: »

Ive suffered on and off with a bad back for a few years, lower back on my waistline (roughly). We've recently bought a new mattress thats the comfiest Ive ever slept on, but still a bad back. I always toss and turn in my sleep and end up on my front, with one knee up towards my chest (not that high though) hugging a pillow to my chest, which in turn arches my back a lot, for most of the night.

Ive tried everytihng, laying on my back, in the featal position with a pillow between my knees, but still end up in the same, back aching position
Any advice please, as its starting to effect me the first hour of the day

I had a back injury at work years ago, so I have to be careful what I do.

You say 'it's starting to affect me the first hour of the day'.

Do you carry a rucksack (or other bag) on your back on the journey to work?

I know that my back flares up if I carry a rucksack on my back. I have no idea why. I mention it to you so you can rule that out as a trigger for your flare ups.

I recommend that you see your GP and see if you need (and would benefit from) physiotherapy.

I hope you get some help and things improve for you soon.

Nile

teddysmum · 20 June 2017 at 4:17PM

I think that a lot of us with back problems (I have multiple herniated discs ) find the pain is worse on waking (doesn't matter how I sleep) because of the relative inactivity.

I don't get up when I first wake, so am ok-ish by the time my first Tramadol has kicked in.

McKneff · 20 June 2017 at 5:51PM

Research Yantra mat. Lie on it for 15 minures on waking...
Sets you up fou the day

Chrysalis · 20 June 2017 at 5:52PM

is it a memory foam mattress? Those do wonders for my back, it also helps my mother a lot as well with her back.

longwalks1 · 22 June 2017 at 6:30PM

Thank everyone, sorry i should of said yes have seen physio on and off for a few years, it gets bad every couple of years, a course of 4 or 5 sessions sorts it, til it plays up again. I have exercises to do to keep it supple, but cant hep thinking my poor sleeping posture/position is also contributing

Its a Simba Sleep mattress, pocket sprung with memory foam top layer on it

jenniewb · 23 June 2017 at 3:14AM

If it's a recurrent problem there is even more of a reason to get it seen by a specialist (eg an osteopath) Not that there is anything wrong with a physiotherapist but an osteopath should have a bit more knowledge on things.

Do they ever say why it keeps on happening? Is it something you could work on preventing? eg; I have issues with my knees, it's early osteoarthritis and unless I keep up a range of exercises, the pain will come back stronger and once the pain is there, it is a lot harder to get rid of. It could be (and I'm not saying it is, just what it could be) a problem which you can prevent by strengthening the muscles around your back (eg your core, your hips, your posture) so that your back isn't likely to be over worked. If there are any frailties in your back, by putting more pressure on it, it's the weaker parts that will be first to break down again.

It's also worth noting that back pain is a very common problem and lower back pain is the most common of back pain. I hope you get something sorted long term if it keeps happening and maybe ask if there are any exercises to help manage the issue once it has recovered to prevent it coming back.

teddysmum · 23 June 2017 at 1:21PM

It may be that your discs are getting weaker.

Years ago, my first disc problem, was sorted ,eventually , by a physiotherapist who initially gave me the wrong exercises, but I have a large number of herniations now, and physio will not help,especially as the one which is touching my spinal cord is in the thoracic area.

My pain is certainly worse in a morning,after being immobile overnight, but for the last few days I've had pain all day (that even 100mg of tramadol won't touch)that., oddly ,decreases when I'm in bed.

A cushion too small to hug down your body, but large enough to support your upper leg (at the knee), may help.

Bad back from sleeping

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