Staying Safe At Work

Try To Avoid Sleeping In These Spots To Lessen Your Risk Of Back Pain

25 March 2018

Brent Chapman

If you've ever fallen asleep feeling all right but then woken up with back pain, any one of several factors could be at play. In many cases, it's the spot in which you're sleeping that can contribute to back or neck pain, however. Hopefully, your bed doesn't leave you in pain; if it does, it's definitely time to shop for a new one. However, people don't merely sleep in their beds. Many people sleep in a variety of locations that might initially seem comfortable, but can actually be a bad choice for your back. Here are three spots in which you should try to avoid sleeping.

The Couch

While it's possible to sleep on the couch and get a decent night's sleep that doesn't leave you in pain, a number of factors need to be at play. For example, you need to be lying flat in a comfortable position, and your couch needs to offer adequate support. Unfortunately, neither of these scenarios is always the case. Many people fall asleep slumped semi-upright on the couch, with their lower back in a non-supported position. By the time you wake up, whether it's an hour after falling asleep or the next morning, you may be nursing some back pain.

The Car

When you're a passenger on a long car trip, it's often tempting to sleep for a bit. The gentle humming of the engine can make you sleepy, and if it's dark outside, nodding off can certainly beckon. The problem is that when you sleep sitting up, you'll commonly slide your buttocks forward to get more comfortable, and this position leaves your lower back unsupported. Additionally, your head can slump to the side, perhaps leaning against the window, which can twist your upper back.

The Airplane

Sleeping in an airplane can be a tempting way to pass the time, but the cramped conditions are less than suitable for getting away with a nap that doesn't cause back pain. In a similar manner to sleeping in the car, you may get lower back pain and upper back pain from your head and shoulders being twisted to lean on the window. You may even get hip pain from keeping your hips and legs in a stationary position for a period of time. Whenever possible, it's best to hold off sleeping until you're in a comfortable bed. And, should you notice back pain, visit a back care specialist quickly.

To learn more about back care, talk with a doctor who offers back pain treatments. 

Share

Search