Is Your Morning Back Pain A Sign to Start Looking for Sciatica Pain Treatment in Clifton?

Ideally, mattresses should be changed every 5-10 years, depending on factors such as material, quality, how much pressure it gets put on it, and so on.

When you look for a mattress, you want to take into consideration your weight. You don’t want a mattress that is too soft, as it will sink under your weight and put a lot of pressure on your back. On the other hand, some people won’t find it comfortable to sleep on a mattress that is too hard either, although certain back conditions actually require it.

Using an old pillow

If your mattress is relatively new and provides enough support, it may be your pillow that is at fault. This is especially true if you are dealing with morning pain in the upper back area.

A pillow that is too thin won’t provide enough support for your head, which means your neck and shoulders will have to compensate for that. Most of the time, you end up sleeping in a weird position, putting additional pressure on the rest of your back and core as well.

Pillows should be changed every 2-3 years and the type of pillow you need can depend on your sleeping position. Sleeping on the side, which is advised if you are dealing with back problems, will require a firmer pillow that provides good neck and head support.

If you want to take more pressure off your back, you can place a pillow between your knees while sleeping on one side. This keeps your spine aligned and prevents irritation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which can cause pain in the lower back, hips, and legs.

Sleeping in the wrong position

In many situations, if you wake up in pain, your sleeping position is the one at fault. But which sleeping position is the best?

Sleeping on your back will most likely make you snore, and it will also put a lot of pressure on your lower back. If you choose to sleep on the stomach, you may have issues as well, as this position flattens the natural curvature of your spine and results in discomfort.

Your best bet to enjoy a good night’s rest without waking up in pain is by sleeping on your side, especially if you also place a pillow between your knees for additional support. If, however, this position feels uncomfortable and you feel better sleeping on the back or stomach, you can give yourself additional support for these sleeping postures as well. If you sleep on your back, a pillow under your knees will provide a more natural position, and if you sleep on your stomach, a smaller pillow under your pelvis can have the same result.

An underlying back condition

Several back conditions can cause morning back pain, including a herniated disc, spinal arthritis, and degenerative disc disease.

A herniated disc occurs when the soft tissue between two of your vertebrae rips and the nucleus gets pushed out. This can be caused by heavy lifting, seating for long periods of time, performing repetitive physical tasks, or injuring your back. If a diagnosis is established fast enough, the condition can be improved with minimally invasive treatment such as epidural steroid injections.

As for degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis, they often develop as a result of normal wear and tear of the discs, which can worsen with age, causing the lumbar spinal canal to narrow. In many situations, symptoms will not develop for many years, but persistent pressure on the spinal nerves will slowly start to impede mobility and cause discomfort, most commonly in the lower back.

If you are dealing with any of the conditions above, it is recommended that you seek medical attention. At Pain Treatment Specialists, we are committed to helping you find the best pain management options, tailored to your specific needs. Schedule an appointment with us in Clifton, on Route 46E, just past the Ford dealership and we will handle the rest!