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.