A chiropractor can make sleep more comfortable.
Everyone feels most comfortable sleeping in specific positions. However, if you’re a stomach sleeper, this habit could be the cause of your back pain. Understanding the mechanics of sleeping on your stomach can help you determine whether you should strive to sleep in a different position or even make an appointment with a chiropractor in Tuckahoe.
Try sleeping on your side after chiropractic treatment.
Stress on the Cervical Spine
Logistically, sleeping on your stomach requires you to turn your head to one side or the other. Just like certain sleeping positions are more comfortable for different people, some stomach sleepers prefer to the turn their head to one side over the other. This results in placing additional stress on either the right or left side of the cervical spine, which can be responsible for your back pain, resulting in the need for Tuckahoe chiropractic treatment.
Flatten the Natural Curve
Another serious issue that results from stomach sleeping is the flattening of the natural curve of your spine. If you’ve ever looked at a model of the spine, you will notice it’s shaped more like an ‘S’ than a straight line. When you sleep lying on your stomach, that curvature is straightened out, which creates extra stress on your spine. This practice can result in lower back pain in particular. While a chiropractor will be able to alleviate this pain, it’s best to consider a different sleeping position to prevent it to begin with.
Sleeping on your stomach could be the cause of your back pain.
You Don’t Have to Quit Altogether
While it may seem it’s best to sleep on your side or back to prevent back pain, you don’t have to give it up altogether if it’s truly the most comfortable position for you. However, if you do want to make the switch, you can ease into the transition to your side by using pillows to gradually turn your body over time. However, if you can’t stop, sleeping with a pillow placed under your lower abdomen and hips can elevate your body enough to prevent back issues from developing.
Seeing a chiropractor in Tuckahoe can help you gain relief from existing back pain, but it’s important to find ways to prevent it as well. Sleeping on your stomach may be the most comfortable position, but if you can avoid having back problems by sleeping another way, it may be worth exploring.
If you sleep on your stomach and need relief from your back pain, contact us. Spine Care offers treatments in Westchester County to help alleviate your pain.
