We don’t often think that our sleeping position could be the cause of our back pain and stiffness. I get asked regularly, should I change my mattress? How do you even sleep with lower back pain? Well, in this article we cover the best sleeping positions for lower back pain.

Before you go out and spend thousands on a brand new mattress, have a read of the tips below to align your pelvis correctly and reduce your lower back pain when sleeping.

From humble beginnings in 1984, all the way up to 5 practices located across South-West and East Sydney, Benchmark Physiotherapy has grown into a group of practices that prides itself on helping people to stay healthy, active and live life to the fullest. So if you’re in Sydney and want help with your back paincontact us today. 

1. Avoid stomach sleeping

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Although it may be comfortable, stomach sleeping places large amounts of stress on your neck and lower back joints and soft tissues. It is the quickest way to develop headaches, lower back stiffness and muscle tightness so avoid it at all costs. Essentially it is placing your spine in the exact opposite position to it’s normal resting position.

2. Use a pillow between your knees if you’re a side-sleeper

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If you are a side sleeper, then placing the pillow between your knees will keep your pelvis in a neutral position and reduce morning symptoms. Make sure the pillow is orientated perpendicular to your legs and this will stop the pillow from escaping during the night!

3. Use a pillow underneath your knees if you sleep on your back.

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Sleeping on your back is the best position, it spreads out your body weight evenly and places your spine in a neutral position. However, for many of us, we have what is known as a ‘sway-back’ or increased lower back curve. Therefore, if you are waking up with morning stiffness, place a pillow under your knees so that your knee bends slightly, this will significantly reduce your morning lower back pain.

4. Bonus tip – perform morning mobility exercises

As mentioned in previous blogs, the two best exercises to minimise lower back stiffness are knees to chest and knees side-to-side (rotation). These two exercises, if done correctly, and regularly, will allow you to reduce your morning stiffness and get off to a much better start to the day.

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If you have any issues with sleeping at night, then implementing these tips will help alleviate your symptoms. Remember however, that night pain is often an indicator that your lower back is being overloaded during the day.