Sleep Better, Feel Better

When you wake up with a stiff neck and you can’t get rid of the pain, generally the first that you think of is, “I slept funny”.  It is amazing how true this statement really is. The position that one sleeps in is often a direct contributor to muscle aches, stiffness or even numbness and tingling in the arms and /or legs.  So how can we find the best position, and sleep better?

Generally this can be easily corrected by the position that we choose to sleep in.  Studies have shown that posture is an important element in preventing strain on the muscles, joints and nerves.  Simply correcting the posture the we sit in, drive in or sleep in can make a dramatic change in our lives.  We can lessen the aches, pain, muscle strain or numbness that is cause by poor postural habits.

As many furniture stores are fond of advertising, sleep is an essential part of life. Sleep should offer the body and opportunity to rejuvenate and rest.  Optimal sleep positions are one that do not add extra stress to the muscles or nerves, which means that they keep the body closer to a neutral position, allowing for a state of rest and comfort.

Better Sleep Positions:

Everyone can achieve a better sleep position in order to have a more restful and less painful night sleep following a few simple rules:

1.  Avoid sleeping on your stomach.  This position is not kind to your spine, and over stresses the all areas of the spine with rotational stress..
2. Attempt sleeping on your side with:
   1. A pillow between your legs to help keep them hip-width apart.
   2. A pillow under your head that is the correct width to keep your head level with your chest.
   3. Try to hug a pillow in front of you.
   4. Do not sleep directly on your shoulder.
3. Back sleepers can be helped by
   1. Adding a pillow under their knees
   2. Having the right size pillow under their head
   3. keeping arms gently aligned by your side by propping them up a bit.

Want some “hands on” help to sleep better?

Come get some professional postural sleep advice from Rachael Grace, Physical Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist at The Gentle Place!  Rachael will be offering a workshop on how to relieve back pain on March 25th at 1pm: You can sign up for this workshop HERE!

Rachael can also help you if you see her for a massage.  Click on the link to book your appointment now!