Julia Merrill of befriendyourdoc.org
Anyone who has ever tried to fall asleep with back pain will tell you just how impossible it can feel. Every tiny movement sends a spasm through your body, meaning you can’t get comfortable. Meanwhile, the anxiety of knowing you might be kept awake all night can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Before you know it, the morning has come and you have to face the day, without having truly rested.
While there’s no quick and easy fix, there are plenty of habits and items that could help you find relief. These work by either reducing the anxiety surrounding sleep or targeting the pain itself (or a mixture of both). Try some of these methods before bed for the next few days and see what happens.
Magnesium for Spasm-Type Back Pain
Magnesium is so simple that it is often overlooked, but if you have back spasms or pain related to back tightness, then it might just be your miracle. Magnesium is the signal your body’s muscles use to relax, making it your number one natural muscle relaxer. Here’s a whole post about the best types of Magnesium for you.
CBD Oil For Pain Related Sleep Trouble
CBD is one of the main substances in cannabis, along with THC. While THC is what gets you high, CBD has no intoxicating effects but many potential health benefits. Research indicates that it can be an effective anti-inflammatory, and it is being increasingly used to medicate chronic pain.
CBD oils can be a bit confusing, as they come in many brands, concentrations, and types. This Remedy Review buyer’s guide on the best CBD oils available is a good place to start to determine the best option for you.
Meditation For Sleep
Research has found that meditation can be effective in combating insomnia and improving sleep. It can also help with pain management, making this one of the most potentially useful habits for those who can’t sleep due to back pain. You can find countless sleeping meditations for free online – try a few different ones to find one that works for you.
Aromatherapy For Insomnia
Another simple way you can try to improve your sleep is to make your bedroom as relaxing an environment as possible. Essential oils can contribute to this, especially if you invest in a diffuser. The best essential oils for sleep include lavender, valerian, and chamomile.
DIY Massage For Back Pain
Regular massages from a professional can be a huge help for people suffering from chronic pain, but it doesn’t always help when you’re trying to fall asleep. Instead of waiting for your next appointment, get a willing partner or family member to learn to give a back massage. Livestrong has simple, easy to follow instructions they can use.
Mattress Toppers for Pain and Sleep
Buying a brand-new mattress can feel like a huge investment, especially since it’s impossible to know whether it’s going to make much of a difference. A mattress topper is a good intermediary step – much cheaper than a full mattress, but with just as much potential to help you get a good night’s sleep. This comprehensive guide to the best mattress toppers for back pain has some good advice and recommendations.
Heat Therapy For Pain
Heat therapy is another simple, often effective way to alleviate back pain, and often the first remedy people turn to. Hot patches, hot wraps, and hot baths can all provide relief for the pain and help an injury heal faster, so it’s worth coming back to this if you haven’t been convinced in the past. Trying a new method could make a difference: maybe a heat patch didn’t do much, but maybe a hot bath half an hour before bed could help. Plus, a hot bath is a great way to wind down and transition into peaceful sleep.
Stretching for Back Pain
Many people are aware of the benefits of stretching immediately after waking up, but many others overlook how it could help them fall asleep. Stretching is inherently relaxing, allowing you to focus on your body rather than your worries, and it can also relieve muscle tension.
Many stretches common in yoga can be particularly beneficial for back pain. Try these out before bed, but remember to keep things soft and gentle. Doing anything too strenuous could just make you feel more awake.
Not all of these methods will work for everyone. However, a combination of some of them is likely to help you get a better night’s sleep. Whatever happens, don’t be discouraged. There might be a bit of trial and error involved, but you will eventually find a routine that allows you to sleep better and get the rest you need.
These are simple steps toward getting an excellent, tonight. If you have back pain that doesn’t resolve itself or gets worse over time, please talk with your doctor. Some causes of pain are serious and shouldn’t be overlooked.