Sleep position: Possible culprit for constant back pain

Chronic back pain is one of the problems that many American adults have to deal with. It is one of the most common reasons for missed work and it is expected that most adults will experience some age-related back pains by the time they turn 30.

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When people experience pain, many are likely to think about their physical activities. The normal response to pain is to try and cease activity until the ache goes away. With back pain, however, regular movement may not be the cause of the discomfort. There are times when the pain stems from extended periods of inactivity.

Ideally, people spend six to eight hours a day asleep and in most cases, many stay in a position that they prefer. However, there are actually some sleeping positions that are not ideal for the spine and the lower back.

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People who sleep on their stomach and those that like to sleep in a fetal position are likely to experience some discomfort later in the day. In these positions, it is impossible to maintain a neutral spine position and it puts a lot of pressure on the nerves and joints. An uncomfortable position is painful enough to maintain for just a few minutes, so it is not hard to imagine what the effects would be if one held those position for hours.

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North American Spine is an authority on minimally invasive spine care. Find information on the treatments currently available for chronic back pain on its official website.

Improving pain tolerance through regular exercise

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According to estimates, about 80 percent of Americans are expected to suffer from back pain at some point in their life. The condition is one of the major reasons why adults miss work. It also accounts for about 10 percent of primary care visits to doctors every year.


Suffering from back pain is an unappealing prospect. It is difficult to concentrate on one’s tasks or to enjoy the moment when one is experiencing major discomfort. Pain relievers could sometimes help but long-term reliance on medications is not advisable. It can be expensive, too. Given these issues, what is the average adult supposed to do?

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The usual response to pain is to cease all forms of strenuous activity. This is the recommended course of action but only for a short period of time. Inactivity, in the long run, can actually undermine healing and it does little to deal with the causes of pain.

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Regular physical activity, on the other hand, could help alleviate discomforts in the long term. Most age-related back problems can be eased by strengthening the muscles that support the back and encouraging the flow of nutrients to the spine through exercise, enough hydration, and a proper diet. Regular activity could also help people tolerate some types of pain that could prevent them from going on with their daily activities.

North American Spine is comprised of spine specialists from several fields including orthopedic spine, neurosurgery, and pain Management who are dedicated to the relief of chronic back pain. For information on chronic back pain treatments, visit its official website.