What happens to your body position when you sleep on your side? What are some of the problems with a side sleeping position? If side sleeping is so bad, should I consider switching sleep positions? There are many sleep positions. It certainly doesn't hurt to try other sleep positions, but odds are if you're a side sleeper then that is the position that feels most natural to you. In that case, you may not benefit by switching to another sleep position: it won't feel natural and therefore it may be harder to get to sleep and stay asleep in the new position. Each sleep position has its own set of pros and cons - there is no 'perfect' sleep position. Some people have to sleep on their side Whether or not you have much choice about sleeping on your side, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to ensure your mattress delivers the high quality of sleep you are seeking. Overall, the best choice you could make is a latex mattress, because it is a solid block of luxurious foam which allows a 'sinking in' while still offering good support for the spine.
Other tips for side sleepers Neck support is important. A good pillow for a side sleeper should be firm enough to give good support to the head and not let it sink down too much. A dense and supportive pillow is best, and it also needs to be thick enough that the head remains level with the spine. A latex pillow is an ideal choice to fulfil these requirements. Additionally, you'll love the extra comfort you'll get with a latex pillow. This is not the most common type of pillow that people get, but it does offer the utmost in relaxation. Use a pillow between the knees. It's a good idea to minimize the amount of twisting that the hips are doing. By positioning a pillow between your knees, you can more easily let your top leg rest on your bottom leg. This can avoid, or at least drastically decrease, the amount of hip twisting going on, allowing you to sleep in a more comfortable position.Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points.
Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome rather than a disease because, unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause. Fibromyalgia pain is usually described as a constant dull ache, with tender points where people with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to slight pressure. These tender points include: In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience: People who have fibromyalgia may also have a variety of other diseases, including: There is some disagreement among authorities as to the exact number of sufferers in the US, but the disorder is known to have an increased frequency among women 20 to 50 years old, and occurs in between 0.7% and 13% of the female women, and between 0.2% and 3.9% for men. Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it is not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues.
Like arthritis, however, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue, and it can interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition. Due to the levels of pain involved, restful sleep is often challenging. Finding supportive bedding that distributes weight can be a critical element in reducing neural pain signals to the brain. Using a natural fiber that breathes such as wool can be very helpful by reducing discomfort and fibromyalgia back itch in particular. Here are some of our products that may be of particular help: Patient advocate and writer Mary J. Shomon, author of Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, notes in her book, “For optimal comfort, however, patients frequently prefer a wool mattress underquilt or topper. One in particular that is very popular with CFS and fibromyalgia patients is the Cuddle Ewe underquilt, which is filled with layers of thick, natural wool batting.”
You can find more information about and help in managing your fibromyalgia by contacting one of these North American Fibromyalgia Organizations.Sleep should leave you feeling rejuvenated, but if you’re in pain you’re probably not getting restful sleep. In fact, people with pain are up to four times more likely to report bad sleep than people without pain, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2015 Sleep in America Poll. A poor night’s sleep can make you moody and unfocused—and it can also increase your sensitivity to pain. Here are some tricks to help you get your Z’s, no matter what hurts. Sleep Positions for Every Ailment If your shoulder hurts…switch sides. Shoulder pain is known to be worse at night, says Martin Redish, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “Any kind of shoulder pain hurts more at night because you lie flat and blood rushes to the area,” he says. Try sleeping on the unaffected side while hugging a pillow.
If you’re a die-hard back sleeper, put a pillow under the bum shoulder. Propping yourself up so you’re not laying flat can also help alleviate nighttime shoulder pain, Redish says. If your knee hurts…squeeze a pillow. “Knee pain, especially with degenerative arthritis of the knee, often gets to the point where it can hurt at night,” says Redish. Your best bet is to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. The pillow will cushion your knees so they don’t rub together, says Redish. It’ll also reduce pressure on the knee while you sleep. If your wrist hurts…prop it up. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes pain or numbness in the wrist, hands, and fingers, has a reputation for hurting more at night. For pain from carpal tunnel, sleep on your back, with your arm propped up by a pillow. You can also use a night splint for the affected wrist(s), says Redish. If your back or neck hurts…pick a firm mattress. Does back pain keep you up at night and out of work the next day?
There’s a good chance the answer’s yes. Low back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide; about 10% of the global population suffers from it. And, about a quarter of Americans report neck pain, the number three cause of chronic pain. Sleeping on a firm mattress is key to fighting back pain, says Redish. Sleeping on your side with your knees drawn up relieves pressure on the spine. For neck pain, use pillows to keep your neck straight, and avoid sleeping on your stomach with your head turned. If your hip hurts…sleep on the other side. If hip pain is waking you up or keeping you up, you’ll want to sleep on the side that doesn’t hurt and keep a pillow between your legs. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, is a common cause of hip pain. About one-quarter of people will develop osteoarthritis of the hip in their lifetime. Hip problems can bring you to tears even during mundane activities like walking or climbing stairs. And, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from hip pain