LPT request - Sleeping on your back

Submitted by Walauyavishum t3_zy9wk8 in LifeProTips

I've had a lot of suggestions about how this might be the ideal position for my personal situation (back pain and cpap user). However, I cannot stay like that for long, I automatically start turning and tossing all night when I'm asleep, oftentimes waking up in the middle of the night, on my stomach, with terrible lower back pain.

Any tips from the back sleepers out there? I appreciate it!!

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Xellos1542 t1_j24lrhh wrote

Make sure you put something under your knees (a sturdy pillow, a rolled up blanket) when on your back. Having your legs flat puts a lot of strain on your back and is uncomfortable. Also propping your arms up on pillows on either side. Basically make a nest so you kind of stay there. Elevating your upper body so you are slightly sitting up can help too.

Have had to sleep on my back and that is not my natural sleep position.

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babyjesusfarts t1_j24mr7y wrote

Have you tried a more firm bed? I'm a back sleeper and noticed back pain when the mattress had sagged a bit in the middle.

Then I got a new memory foam mattress (on sale) that is firm and the back pain is gone.

Add in some light exercise and you'll feel like a new person

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Walauyavishum OP t1_j299dig wrote

Yes, we switched to a really firm mattress last year, and I exercise regularly, especially light yoga and stretching my therapist taught me, which really helps ease the pain.

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Thanks!

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adgjl65 t1_j27g5li wrote

Actually, sleeping on your side is better for sleep apnea than sleeping on your back - even with CPAP

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Walauyavishum OP t1_j299ikl wrote

Can you tell me a bit more about this? When I roll on my side, I feel comfortable, until I roll past the side point and the cpap gets crushed between my face and the pillow, lol

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adgjl65 t1_j2dnyfe wrote

I like to sleep that way too. What has helped me is to sleep on a thick memory foam pillow with the CPAP equipment hanging off the end (if that makes sense). This was with a nasal mask, so I don’t know if it will help you. There’s an extremely helpful discussion board found at CpapTalk.com. Best of luck!

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