SLEEPING WITH SCIATICA.
Twelve Top Back Pain Sleep Tips.
Are
you tired of being tired? Here are twelve top sleep tips for you to try.
It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do. You feel refreshed,
invigorated and ready to face the challenges of the day. Well for many of us
with experience of a bad back, pinched sciatic nerve symptoms, backache and
the anxiety and stress caused by back pain, that feeling is just a distant
dream….
Why is sleep so important? You know if you don’t get a good nights sleep how
you feel but what is it doing to your body? It is said that most people need
around 8 hours of sleep each might, some need more and some can do with
less, if you have back pain or sciatica symptoms you may well be trying to
cope on a lot less than 8 hours.
The fact is we have to sleep in order for our minds and bodies to repair and
function properly and it is detrimental to us to lose too much sleep too
often. Sleep deprivation in addition to making you feel tired and quite
possibly irritable and depressed, may also lead to a weakened immune system,
an inability to concentrate and increased stress and anxiety. So it is
important that you, the professionals treating you and your loved ones take
it seriously.
Twelve sleep tips
• Bedtime Routine
Stick to a bedtime routine. Relax before bed. You may find it helpful not to
watch any exciting films or a challenging game and to be calm as possible an
hour or so before bed. Some people find having a TV in the bedroom unhelpful
when trying to sleep. If that is your experience ban it to the lounge! Have
a warm bath or shower before bed. Get into your most comfy nightwear and
have soft clean bedding. You may want to use a heat pad or hot water bottle
for a while before bed, but do not use on your back while you are in bed.
• Your Sleep Environment.
Make your bedroom a place of peace and calm. No work should be here, no
kids’ toys, no clutter. Ensure that your bedroom is at the correct
temperature for you. Try to dim the lights about an hour or so before you go
to bed. Try the age old remedy of a few drops of lavender under your pillow
to help relax you.
• De-Stress
Play relaxing music or a de-stress CD every night as you go to sleep. I have
found this one of the best ways to drift off to sleep naturally when I
have had severe back pain and pinched sciatic nerve symptoms.
Visit the Inspiration page for suggestions of great CDs.
•Avoid
Stimulants
Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol and any stimulants several hours before bed.
Drink plenty of good quality water throughout the day. Relaxing herbal teas
at night may help.
• Massage and other complimentary therapies.
If it is safe for you to have a massage and you can persuade your partner to
give you a very gentle relaxing massage a few basic techniques can be learnt
quite quickly. It may be best to avoid the painful areas and just
concentrate on relaxation with some lovely relaxing oils such as lavender.
Sometimes even just a hand massage can be very soothing while playing
relaxation music. If you can have a professional massage on a regular basis
this may help your back pain as well. If you are asking a massage therapist
to work on your back do ensure they are qualified, certified and have a good
knowledge of back pain and sciatica symptoms. You may also like to consider
other complimentary therapies such as Reiki, Reflexology and Acupuncture by
a qualified practitioner to see if they help you.
• Mattress.
Check your mattress. You should replace it every 10 years as a minimum.
Consider a memory foam mattress topper or other bed that suits your back. Do
try any bed out properly and/or get one that has a money back guarantee.
This is even more vital if you have back pain and sciatica symptoms as it is
so important you get quality rest…
• Breathing
Deep controlled breathing can help control stress and pain.
• Muscle relaxation
Try progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
•Stretches
Do your back care stretches after your warm bath or shower and before you go
to bed. To
learn about a great corrective, targetted, stretching and strengthening
system click here.
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