How You Sleep Can Hurt Your Health
By Sara Butler
Sleep is very important to your overall health and crucial to proper spinal health. After each day, your body uses sleep to restore and rejuvenate. If you’re not sleeping well then it robs you of time your body needs to be healthy. More importantly, sleeping improperly can damage the health of your spine and cause you problems beyond not getting enough sleep at night. Here’s what you need to be on the lookout for when it comes to how you sleep at night.
Your Sleep Position
If you ask your chiropractor they’ll likely tell you that sleeping on your stomach is one of the worst things you can do for the health of the spine -- it’s also one habit that’s easy to change! Sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your lower spine and neck, exerting pressure on your spine that might end up causing you pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms.
Stomach sleepers can change -- just ask your chiropractor for tips to help you break this bad habit! Sleeping on your back or side will be much healthier.
An Old Mattress
Perhaps the biggest sleeping sin committed by people is sleeping on a mattress that is simply too old. Mattress manufacturers recommend replacing a mattress every eight years or so. How old is your mattress?
If you are sleeping on an old mattress, then it’s not providing the support your body needs to stay in alignment when sleeping. This can lead to restless sleep and back pain. If you toss and turn a lot at night, it might be because your body is searching for a comfortable position, leaving you feeling in the morning like you haven’t slept a wink.
Make sure to check the lifespan of your mattress with the manufacturer.
What About Your Pillow
Pillows have a lifespan, just like your mattress. You might be surprised to learn that a lot of people use pillows far beyond their expiration date. A pillow that is too old will likely be too thin to support your neck adequately.
Get rid of pillows that are too old -- over two years for sure. Invest in an orthopedic or cervical pillow that keeps your spine in line while you sleep.
If you notice back, neck, or hip pain when getting out of bed each morning, then you should discuss it with your chiropractor at The Joint. They can help you determine what might be causing your discomfort and get you on the road to more restful nights and easier mornings!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.