Having a quality sleep when you have scoliosis is a challenge due to the discomfort and pain. Finding the right sleeping position can be daunting, and maintaining it is hard. If you’re into a back brace, situations can be exasperating.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a neuro-muscular condition that is characterized by a C- or S-shaped spine curve. Abnormality can cross from fifteen to 50 degrees. Instead of your spine traveling down your body into a straight line, it forms a C or S shape. This is not painful when observed in childhood; however, it’ll be a challenge for adults if left untreated or corrected.
Doctors identify scoliosis as a sign of an underlying condition that affects the nervous system and its communication to the spine. It’s uncertain the root cause of this condition, while some cases are related to muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.
The first signs of scoliosis are found in childhood at ages 10-14 before the sprout growth of onset puberty. It can be developed later during adulthood.
There are significant reasons why adults experience scoliosis;
- Genetics
- Past joint or spinal surgeries
- Uneven pelvic position
- Foot or knee distortions
- Head injuries
Scoliosis curves vary as some are deeper compared to others. There are specific exercises prescribed by doctors and spine specialists to help specific structure conditions as surgery is for moderate to severe cases. You can learn more about how these spine specialists treat patients here and understand how the treatment is done to most sensitive cases treated. Managing scoliosis via exercise, medical analysis, and specific spine therapy are a few factors to relieve and cure this disorder.
Mild scoliosis is another term for spine curvature or Cobb angle, which is below 20 degrees. It’s the type of scoliosis that’s most responsive to specific exercise treatments. While mild scoliosis can develop severe cases, which can only be corrected by surgery, there is a high percentage that mild scoliosis is treated with appropriate exercise.
Sleeping Positions Suitable For Scoliosis
There are straightforward and effective ways to rest during the night, even if you have scoliosis. Allow yourself to have a quality sleep today, and learn how to sleep even if you have scoliosis.
Comfort is a vital factor when sleeping, while it will depend on the severity of scoliosis; it’s important to avoid sleeping on your stomach. It’s better to sleep either on your back or side as it alleviates pain or discomfort.
While it won’t develop or cure scoliosis, your sleeping position can provide the best relief to pain. It can help you manage pain and optimize breathing.
The best way to sleep if you have scoliosis, as most doctors will recommend, is with your back/spine in a neutral position. Sleeping with your stomach arches the back and places your neck in an uncomfortable position, adding extra stress to your spine.
The best sleeping positions in you have scoliosis;
- Back Sleeping
While there are only a few back sleepers, your physician will recommend this position if you have scoliosis. The sleeping condition distributes the weight evenly across the whole body’s frame. Using a firm mattress helps reduce the spine’s roundedness, thus enabling you to sleep better than most stomach sleepers.
- Side Sleeping
There are about 60% of side sleepers worldwide. For people who have scoliosis, a side sleeping position is the most comfortable position. It positions your spine to a neutral and straight posture, which minimizes nerve strains on your spine.
You can get plenty of benefits with side sleeping—quality sleep, less risk from sleep apnea, and improved brain circulation.
Tips To Relieve Scoliosis
- Finding the perfect sleeping position
- A quality mattress can do the trick
- Support the spine with pillows
- Natural treatment like exercise to improve scoliosis
Conclusion
For people with scoliosis, sleeping in the night is a challenge as the pain won’t let you have a peaceful slumber. Good thing there are different ways on how you can correct and relieve the pain due to spine curvature.
With different yet effective modifications, including finding the most recommended sleeping position can significantly impact pain management.