In a pinch: Why you might be sleeping wrong

Did you know that one of the primary causes of pinched or compressed nerves is sleeping poorly? As most of us spend about the same amount of time sleeping as we do sitting at a desk, our sleeping posture is just as important as our posture when we’re sat down.

And yet, we often attach little value to a good night’s sleep. Rather than investing in a new bed or high-quality pillow, we spend our money elsewhere, often neglecting our bedroom environment.

So, here are our top three tips on making sure you’re sleeping in comfort...

1. Neck Alignment

Make sure you’re keeping your neck aligned with the rest of your body with a supportive pillow – a lack of adequate support will force your head down into an abnormal and flexed position which can result in neck pain.

If you’re already suffering from a trapped nerve in your neck, try sleeping on your back. This flexes the neck and opens up the space in the spine where the nerve exits from, and should help prevent the pain from worsening at night.

If you think your pillow is causing you problems, then why don’t you try out our special loan pillow which you can try out for free? Just ask one of our reception team for more info.

2. Mattress Choice

Goldilocks certainly had something right – make sure your mattress isn’t too firm nor too soft. Everyone has different needs and preferences, so as a general guide, aim for a mattress that both meets your spine and supports it. 

3. Right Environment

Make your sleeping environment one that reduces the likelihood of tossing and turning, and thereby minimising neck movement. For instance, try sleeping with the window open for a little fresh air circulation to prevent you from becoming overheated.

Trapped nerves take time to heal – depending on the degree of impingement – this can be between three to six months. Most of the time, you won’t need ground-breaking surgeries to heal from a pinched nerve, but in order for them to heal and for the pain to go away, you do have to take action.

After all, there’s a good chance the pinched nerve was a result of overuse, athletic activities, postural issues, or some other lifestyle factor that must be addressed for healing to take place.

Osteopathy can also help you on your journey to recovery. Alongside our osteopathic treatment, we can recommend you light stretches and exercise in combination with plenty of rest, in order to help you to help improve your condition.

Do any of the problems in this blog resonate with you? Talk to an osteopath at Not Just Backs today to get help! Book an appointment today on 01722 512 043 or by clicking here.