The pain, numbness, and tingling of sciatica starts in the lower back but can radiate down the leg, most often on one side. Because of the pressure on your body from laying down, you might find symptoms get worse at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Yet, deep, restful sleep is an important part of your body’s repair mechanisms. Losing sleep to sciatica pain can extend the cycle, keeping you uncomfortable and low-functioning for weeks.
A visit to Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Lafayette Hill, the Main Line, East Falls, Elkins Park, Manayunk and Hatfield, Pennsylvania, is a great place to start. Chiropractic adjustments and our complementary treatments are first-line care for many with sciatica.
However, your approach to overnight sciatica flare-ups is important too, and knowing how to calm these episodes can make living easier. In this blog, we present our best suggestions for recovering sleep when sciatica presents itself.
When your sciatica symptoms include bladder or bowel dysfunction or progressive leg weakness, treat it as a medical emergency, regardless of the time of day. There could be serious nerve conditions causing these signs.
There’s no single solution to the comfortable sleep position question. The number one consideration is to avoid reclining in a way that aggravates any of your sciatica indicators, even if it’s a position that’s recommended for sciatica.
Whether you’re a back or side sleeper, you’ll probably find the most comfortable position uses a knee pillow. On your side, place a pillow between your knees to align the hips and bend the knees, relieving strain on your back.
Back sleeping works best with a pillow under both knees to reduce the tension on the lumbar curve of the spine. Don’t force the position with a large pillow. Aim for comfortable support.
When you know sciatica is active, adapt your bedtime routine to minimize symptoms. Consider these steps:
A consistent sleep cycle, including bedtime and comfortable bed, supports restorative sleep. It’s more important than ever when you’re dealing with musculoskeletal disorders like sciatica.
Follow up on your flare-up with us at Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation. Choose our nearest office to schedule an appointment with our sciatica specialists. Call or click to book an appointment today.
