The document discusses how sleeping position can impact back pain. It notes that sleeping sideways can alleviate osteoarthritis pain if the spine is straight and head is elevated or if the knees and head are elevated. However, twisting the neck or having the entire upper body elevated while sleeping on the side can cause spinal and muscle pain. Maintaining a proper sleeping position can help with back pain while improper positions may worsen back conditions.

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Dr. Karl Jawhari
Back Pain And Sleep Positions: The Real Score
May 2, 2018May 4, 2018 Dr. Karl Jawhari
As people age, the more likely it is for them to experience back pain. There are several instances
wherein their back cramps up, or they feel the strain. One of these situations happens at night when
they sleep. Sleep is an essential physical and mental process, and the position by which one sleeps
has an effect on his spine and back muscles.
(h ps://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/11/590x/secondary/how-
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Image source: express.co.uk
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While the correct sleeping position can help alleviate back pain, the wrong position can cause back
conditions that may require the help of a specialist to correct.
Sleeping sideways, for example, can have a number of effects on the back. The right way of sleeping
sideways is to keep the spine straight. If the head is elevated, the person might feel a slight cramp in
the neck upon waking up. If one has osteoarthritis and sleeps with the spine level and in a fetal
position, it can alleviate some of the back pain and ease the pressure on facet joints.
The same effect can also be achieved by elevating the head and knees a bit. Spinal stenosis-induced
back pain in the lower back and neck may also be relieved by this position.
One of the worst ways to sleep is to have the neck twisted in such a way that the spine is twisted for
extended periods of time. Also having the entire upper half of the body elevated while the person is
lying on his side may also result not just in spinal pain, but also muscular strain.

2. 6/5/2018 Back Pain And Sleep Positions: The Real Score – Dr. Karl Jawhari
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Image source: medicalnewstoday.com
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Dr. Karl Jawhari (h ps://www.pinterest.com/drkarljawhari/) worked as a teacher’s assistant at Life University
in Marrie a, GA. He is also the author of “How Hormones Are Making You Fat” and the co-author of “Neck
Pain, You Don’t Want It, You Don’t Need It” as well as the “The Li le Black Book of Fitness.” Visit this page
(h ps://about.me/dr.karljawhari) for more on Dr. Jawhari and his work.

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Tagged back pain, sleep, sleeping position
Published by Dr. Karl Jawhari
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