Sleep position and back pain

The back is the nerve center of the body. It is normal to feel pain or tension when the support is inadequate. This condition is accentuated during sleep due to the quiescent state into which the muscles fall. Joints and muscles undergo a much stronger pressure than while awaken. Four out of ten Canadians claim to have woken up with back pain* and 43% state that their sleep position is the cause of this pain. To address back problems, it is first necessary to identify the causes, including sleep position, as each horizontal position has its own peculiarities.

A cushion that aligns the back of side sleepers

Feelings of security and intimacy justify the preference for the foetal position. However, sleeping on ones side increases the misalignment of the body and creates unbalanced pressure throughout the body. This pressure on one side of the body generates uneven support and muscle tension; therefore, sleeping on your side generates 70% of back issues. More specifically, when discs suffer an overload from the vertebras, there is pain and inflammation associated with a torsion caused by misalignment of the spine, originating from the shoulders or the pelvis.

A wedge cushion provides complete back support in supine position

Sleeping on the back is gaining popularity due to the growing concern for back health. The natural symmetry of the back support makes it favourable to health professionals. The spine becomes the central axis of the body and as weight is distributed equally, resulting in a reduction of muscle tension. However, the natural curve of the spine makes it difficult to evenly distribute support, especially along the lower back (lumbar region). It is then essential to give adequate pressure to each vertebral discs to prevent inflammation and pain, which is difficult to achieve on a mattress.