Are you one of the many adults suffering from sciatica? This painful condition can affect as many as 40% of people at least once. It’s a common complaint as people age as well. If you’re one of those who had to live with this condition, you probably feel uneasy once the sun sets. In some cases, people get worse sciatica flares at night.
Do you also dread going to bed at night due to symptoms creeping in? Or are you scared of waking up to excruciating pain from your back down to your leg? Do you struggle with walking even just for a few steps? Has sciatica consumed your life and always stolen a good night’s sleep? Besides the overwhelming physical pain, your condition can also take an emotional toll on your life. Losing sleep over sciatica can make you feel helpless, frustrated, and even depressed. But finding the best sleeping position can help ease your pain each night. So what sleeping position is best for sciatica in Oklahoma City?
Sleeping positions you can try
Sciatica can bring debilitating symptoms, including pain, tingling, and numbness that radiate from the lower back down to the legs or your feet. It can stem from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. Getting enough sleep is vital for people living with sciatica. Finding the best sleeping position can reduce the strain on your back and promote uninterrupted sleep. Restful and quality sleep can give you a better edge in pain management and relief.
1. Sleeping on your back
This is generally considered the best sleeping position for people with sciatica. It allows your spine to maintain a neutral position, reducing the pressure on the lower back and legs. Place a pillow under your knees to keep them slightly elevated to optimize this position. This will help to reduce the strain on your lower back and hips.
2. Sleeping on your side
If you fall asleep faster while sleeping on your side, try it on your non-painful side. You can place a pillow between your knees to align them with your hips and spine. This will help to reduce the pressure on your lower back and legs. You can also place a small pillow under your waist for additional support.
Sticking to these two positions and observing if your symptoms will improve eventually. Remember that sleeping on your stomach is not recommended because it puts a lot of pressure on the lower back and can exacerbate sciatica symptoms. You may also strain your neck if you sleep on your stomach.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic care for lasting sciatica relief
If your sciatica symptoms do not resolve on their own after a few weeks, an underlying condition might be causing your symptoms. You can seek the help of an Upper Cervical Chiropractor like Dr. Sheppard to get your spine alignment checked. She can assess your cervical bones – the atlas and axis – to determine if you may need adjustments to restore balance in your body and alleviate recurring back pain symptoms.
Accidents, injuries, or poor posture can all lead to upper cervical misalignment. When the misalignment starts from the topmost bones of your spine, the rest of the bones can compensate and put undue pressure and stress in the surrounding area, including your sciatic nerve. Correcting the misalignment can help restore normal nerve function, reduce pain and discomfort, and improve overall health and well-being.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care involves gently adjusting the atlas and axis bones to correct the misalignment and alleviate the stress and pressure on the affected nerves. Book your appointment to get your spine alignment checked today!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-378-3100. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
