How Does Your Sleeping Position Relate to Pain?

Your days can be long and extremely tiring, so the last thing you think about when finally hitting the hay is your sleeping position. However, your body’s sleeping position can have a big effect on your shoulders, back and neck. So, what happens when you sleep on your back or side? What are some tips to follow to wake up without pain? The pain-management specialists of Total Pain Care are ready to answer your questions.

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Your Position Matters

Many people sleep on their backs, but this position can lead to excessive back arching, which can potentially put a lot of pressure on the spine. Bending your knees slightly upward – with the help of a few pillows – can help avoid this problem.

Sleeping on your side helps keep your spine aligned, but there are still a few things to do before making this position your preferred way to sleep. Curling up too much can lead to nagging back pain, so try to avoid this as much as possible. Additionally, remember that putting a pillow between your knees can keep your spine and pelvis in even better alignment.

Positions for Shoulder and Neck Pain

If you’ve been putting up with annoying shoulder pain throughout the day, you’ll want a sleeping position with the best comfort. Lying directly on a tender shoulder can be excruciating, but rotating it slightly forward or back, while supporting it with additional pillows, can help you keep a comfortable position through the night.

If your neck pain has not subsided before going to bed, placing a small rolled up towel underneath the neck can give it plenty of support. If you’re worried the towel might move around during the night, place it underneath the pillowcase where it will remain while you sleep.

Pain-Management You Can Count On

There are times when, no matter what you try, pain will just not disappear. This could be the sign of something a bit more serious, but you don’t have to worry. The pain-management specialists at Total Pain Care are here to provide the most complete and professional treatments around.

We’ll pinpoint the exact location of your pain and create a custom plan of action that moves at the pace you desire. Don’t wait any longer. Contact one of our locations in New Jersey today for more information.

Category: News

  1. Ronald Amaya, PA-C is a Physician Assistant. He attended Weill Cornell Medical College and received his physician assistant degree in NYC. He has 18 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery and over 8 years in pain management. Dr. Amaya is NCCPA board-certified in medicine and surgery.

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  2. Paulette Scott, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Scott is also the pain management representative at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Boston. She fulfilled her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and completed her fellowship in pain management at Harvard Square Clinic. Dr. Scott is board-certified in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain management.

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  3. Andrew D. Bunn, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Bunn also serves as the co-director of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, as well as the Program Director for Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Newborn Services | MassGeneral Hospital for Children. After earning his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, he completed his anesthesia residency at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he also completed his fellowship in pain management. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management.

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    New Jersey Top Doctors
  4. David D. Ford, MD is the Director of Pain Management. Dr. Ford earned a medical degree and completed his residencies in both surgery and anesthesiology. He joined the staff of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Watertown in 1990. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management. Dr. Ford specializes in painful disorders of the spine and sports-related injuries. He has initiated the use of advanced interventional techniques for the successful treatment of these and other conditions.

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