At some point in their lives, lower back pain will be experienced by approximately 80% of all Americans. Symptoms can range from sharp shooting pains to dull throbbing aches, and everything in between. Causes range from fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions to arthritis as a result of injury and more. Your quality of sleep can be interfered with if the pain becomes too severe. That can leave you feeling depressed, exhausted, etc. For today’s retirement age individuals, back pain can be particularly devastating. Back pain during the night can lead to lost sleep – which can become dangerous.
Here, we are going to examine some ways to lessen seniors’ back pain while sleeping. If you can eliminate your back pain while you’re sleeping, you might be able to eliminate it altogether.
Talk to Your Doctor First
There are numerous medications on the market today that might be able to help you with your back pain. Talk to your physician first before you start grabbing things off-the-shelf at the drugstore. Your doctor, who is well acquainted with your system and other medications you are taking, may be able to determine whether or not one medication would be better while another might not be appropriate.
Use Heat
You may be able to reduce pain by loosening up stiff muscles with heat. Before bedtime, soothe sore muscles with a warm bath/shower or try a heating pad. Before you fall asleep, switch off the heating pad to avoid burns. If your skin is particularly sensitive, don’t use the heating pad at a high setting or for too long.
Exercise
A great way to get more sleep is to tire yourself out with regular physical exercise during the day. Only do the kinds of exercises you can physically tolerate, and don’t overdo it. Start light with some stretching and move on from there. Consider yoga to eliminate muscle spasms, reduce pressure on your spine, and strengthen your back muscles and core.
Sleep on Your Back
Oddly enough, sleeping on your back may be the best position if you suffer from back pain. Put a pillow under your knees to be more comfortable and to take pressure off your back. If you’re a side sleeper, put a pillow between your legs and pull your legs part way up toward your chest. Don’t increase pressure on your spine by sleeping on your stomach.
Get a Better Mattress
Back pain will only be made worse by an old worn-out mattress. Then again, the best solution may not be a mattress that is super firm, either. You need the Goldilocks mattress – one that’s just right. The important thing is to keep your spine aligned. For everyone, that’s something different. Go for something that’s medium firm. For optimal firmness, every eight years you should replace your mattress. If it’s starting to sag, replace it.
Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh Features Exercise and Wellness Programs
Thanks to our Dimensions Health and Fitness program, your loved one can exercise for a healthier body at a level appropriate for them. This could help them eliminate or reduce their back pain and sleep better at night. Enriching experiences involving yoga, education classes, water aerobics, spiritual gatherings and more provide something to do every day.
If you’d like to speak to someone from Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh about sales and leasing, please phone us at 239-215-3356. You can direct other inquiries to a representative at 239-593-1923. To simply open the lines of communication quickly and easily, fill out our convenient online form here. We look forward to speaking with you.
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