Back Pain When Sleeping Or After Sleep...

Sometimes when you sleep for an extended period of time in one position it can cause soreness in the back when you wake up. The same thing can happen when in one place for many hours. Here are a few things you can try to get better quality sleep and not wake up with a sore back:

• If you have an extra comforter/sleeping bag, place that under you to change to consistency of your mattresss.Maybe it needs to softer (or straighter). Check your mattress (is there a bow or a dip in there? ). Recently I had a patient who had an issue with her bed and it caused a lot of lower back pain.
  
  
  
• Use a different neck pillow- try to choose a cervical support pillow with a neck roll.
  
  
  
• Use something under your knees when you sleep (this is how I sleep)- I just put a pillow under my knees if I sleep on my back and between my legs if I am on my side. You can also use positioning products such as the knee elevator (for back sleeping) or the Spinal Relief pillow (for side sleeping)
  
  
  
• Do some stretches right when you get up specifically for your lower back. When you get into the hot shower- let the water hit the lower back area and bend down slowly and to the side. Don’t extend back to much as this is not good for your back.
  
  
  
• You should also need to get adjusted…go see a chiropractor to get treated and see what he says. You can also get some muscle work on your back. Plus, get some biofreeze (pain relief gel) that you can massage into the lower back muscles
  
  
  
• If your back pain has been going on for some time, Use a hot pack on your lower back in the evening time while watching tv (gel packs work great).
  
  
  
• Finally, sleeping for an extended period of time (over 9-10 hours) - try to avoid that. It can be avoided, so just get up and move around, stretch in the a.m. You can always take naps later.
  

Pay attention to what you are doing during the day also – and see if that is somehow contributing to your lower back. Sounds simple, but certain activities can bring on the pain moreso. For example, wearing heals for a greater part of the day, standing for a long time, exercising without doing a stretch before or after, doing a certain exercise (for example elliptical machine/rowing machine)




CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:

• The Power of Vitamin D: better sleep, better mind
  
  
• When Lack of Sleep Can be Deadly
  
  
• 6 Ways to Get A Better Nights Sleep
  
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Does The Use Of A Low Back Support Or Lower Back Brace Really Make A Difference?

“Do you think a back brace will help my condition?” This is a frequently asked question in my Glastonbury office by patients who suffer from lower back pain. The answers typically vary, as there is support for and against the use of a brace when low back pain is present.

In a recent Spine study in February 2009, the use of an elastic lumbar belt was studied in a group of subacute low back pain patients for its effect on functional capacity (lift and carry types of activities), pain intensity, and the effects on health care service costs. This study was unique in that it was carried out in several different locations and, the patients were randomized and received either a lumbar belt or nothing (“control group”). 197 patients were included in the study, which is a good sample size for research purposes. The results of the study, at the end of 90 days, revealed a higher score for the back brace treated group than the non-braced control group. The pain scale improved greater in the brace treated group as an improvement of 42 points vs. 32 points was reported. Similarly, 61% in the brace treated group used no medication compared to 40% in the non-braced group. It was concluded that patients with subacute low back pain improved significantly in functional status, pain reduction and medication utilization.

The use of back braces has been considered a “standard” in the treatment of patients with Low back pain for many years. One argument against using back braces centers around becoming “dependant” either physically or mentally on its use and this has long been a concern amongst health care providers. For most patients, this is not a concern as most do not “enjoy” the use of a brace and they look forward to discontinuing their use of it. Braces are particularly helpful when the patient cannot stop performing needed activities, such as work. This is especially true for farmers who have to tend to the animals and crops during planting, cultivating and harvest times of the year. In addition, single moms or dads who have to go to work in order to provide for their children are driven to stay on the job. In these cases, the use of a back brace can be of utmost importance.

There are many types of back braces. Some are narrow and are particularly favored when frequent bending and/or twisting movements are required by a job, sport, or other daily activity. Other braces are taller in the back and taper in the front, which give better support but still allow some bending / twisting movements. Some braces are more rigid and can actually stop movement in certain directions. These types include a hard, rigid surface that is placed in the area of the back where movement is not desired. These are used at times when there are fractures of the spine, after spinal surgery and in scoliosis bracing. Some braces are to be worn low on the pelvis to support that area, while most are placed in the center of the low back region. There are also rib belts sometimes used when ribs fracture, soft and rigid neck braces sometimes used after car accidents, and braces for the arms or legs. The decision to use a brace rests on the degree of injury and the patient’s ability to avoid certain activities or positions. When the injury is significant and/or the patient cannot control his/her activities (such as work), then the use of a brace may be one of the most important treatment approaches for that patient. It’s similar to having stitches when a deep or wide cut occurs. Ask us about the use of supports, braces, or belts if you or your family or friends are suffering with low back pain. Our Connecticut office carries the CorFit Lumbar Support Belt. It comes in different sizes so you can be fitted properly for maximum relief and support.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Article Source: Spine, Effectiveness of a Lumbar Belt in Subacute Low Back Pain: An Open, Multicentric, and Randomized Clinical Study, Volume 34 - Issue 3 - pp 215-220

Additional Reading Resources:

• How to Properly wear a lumbar Support Belt for Moderate- Severe Lower back pain
  
• How to Treat Tight Muscles
  
• Lower Back Pain Relief Products
  
• The Winter Weather is Here, are You Shoveling Snow Properly?
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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Back Pain Relief with the Right Back Support Pillow

If you have ever spent hours and hours at a computer desk whether for your job or maybe just playing video games, you know that bad posture at the computer can translate to lower back pain, stiffness, and overall discomfort.

Many times we are faced with sitting for long periods of time- whether it on a long flight to India, sitting in traffic on I-84 in Hartford, or just slaving away at your computer during the day. Sitting creates pressure on your lower back by distorting the lumbar curve and causing a squishing of the discs. The discs are important because they act as shock absorbers and allow to the spine to have the range of motion that it does. Pressure on the spine can cause un needed pressure on the lumbar nerves, which innervate the lower extremity- the legs and the feet. It can cause numbness and tingling, and weakness affecting our ability to walk, stand and do basic activities of daily living.

Using a support cushion behind your lower back creates a safety guard against injuring yourself, or putting yourself in a position of pain. A lumbar support cushion makes you sit with proper posture, allowing the proper lumbar spine to stay in proper alignment.

A lumbar cushion should be firm yet comfortable against your body. Often times lumbar support cushions are made out of precision cut foam.

One of the most popular lumbar support cushions is the sitback rest which you can use while on the computer. If you are in your car you probably want a lumbar cushion that is slimmer in design and not bulky such as the slim back rest. The Slim rest can also be used in other sitting positions as well. Finally, if you are experiencing lower back pain, consider the sit back rest PLUS which includes a ice pack. Great for decreasing inflammation and providing an added analgesic relief while sitting for extended periods of time.

Dr. Bellinger also discusses how to use a lumbar support cushion when you sit at your computer or for work long periods of time. No matter if you sit on your computer playing solitare or Age of Empires- know that you can do so comfortably !



CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury, CT- Specializing in chiropractic care for the entire family and non surgical spinal decompression for chronic lower back pain sufferers. CT Spine and Disc Center also carries many lower back pain relief products like the slimback rest and lumbar back support belts. Call 860.633.8756 to get more information about our services and prodcuts


Additional Reading Resources:

• A Good Lumbar Support Belt Can Prevent Your Back Pain From Getting Worse Chronic Low Back Pain Is On The Rise…What Are Your Treatment Options?
  
• Brooke Burkes gets Chiropractic Treatment on Dancing with the Stars
  
• Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
  
• Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
  

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