Any side sleepers with low back pain?

[machineheadCAT]

Playing golf is why my back hurts.

Anyway, I have a Temperpedic and have had it long enough that it's time to look around or get a mattress topper. I looked at the Helix bed, some toppers, etc but can't decide. Wondering if anyone out there sleeps on their side, had/has back pain and found a great mattress or topper for the pain. TIA

 

[Kooky Kats]

Duxiana

 

[machineheadCAT]

Duxiana

$8000+ for a mattress. No.

 

[DSmith21]

FYI, on side sleeping. If you sleep on your right side, you are more likely to have acid/bile splash up your esophagus while you sleep. Sleeping on the left side is better for you.

 

[Backer cutter]

Playing golf is why my back hurts.

Anyway, I have a Temperpedic and have had it long enough that it's time to look around or get a matress topper. I looked at the Helix bed, some toppers, etc but can't decide. Wondering if anyone out there sleeps on their side, had/has back pain and found a great matress or topper for the pain. TIA

FYI, on side sleeping. If you sleep on your right side, you are more likely to have acid/bile splash up your esophagus while you sleep. Sleeping on the left side is better for you.

But that means I’m facing the wife. Bile splash doesn’t sound so bad.

 

[Kooky Kats]

$8000+ for a mattress. No.

Enjoy your back pain and hacking up the course, cheapskate.

 

[Deeeefense]

I've had low back pain for years. I don't think a different mattress will help that much. One thing I do in the morning that really helps a lot is I use an infrared matt (Amazon) on the back for about 30 minutes. It really seems to get the blood flowing and loosens everything up. There are also exercises you can do to relieve the pain, a lot of them while you are in bed (youtube), also back massagers are helpful (Amazon).

 

[vhcat70]

FYI, on side sleeping. If you sleep on your right side, you are more likely to have acid/bile splash up your esophagus while you sleep. Sleeping on the left side is better for you.

That's because most people are righthanded.

 

[DSmith21]

That's because most people are righthanded.

No, it's the anatomy of the digestive system which enters the stomach on one side rather than the middle.

 

[NotUofJodieMeeks]

Playing golf is why my back hurts.

Anyway, I have a Temperpedic and have had it long enough that it's time to look around or get a mattress topper. I looked at the Helix bed, some toppers, etc but can't decide. Wondering if anyone out there sleeps on their side, had/has back pain and found a great mattress or topper for the pain. TIA

huh... strange... i have a foam mattress and since August I have experienced, what I think, is lower back pain too. Mine is on each side of the lower back. been sleeping on the couch to see if it is indeed my mattress that is causing the issue.

 

[machineheadCAT]

Enjoy your back pain and hacking up the course, cheapskate.

2 handicap on courses with an average slope of 140 and distances of 6800-7000 yards. Routinely shoot under 80. It’s the 7 mile walk that hurts the back. Got an MGI ZIP Navigator A/T and love the exercise. The A/T (all terrain) is the newest version and is much better than the stock Navigator.

 

[machineheadCAT]

I've had low back pain for years. I don't think a different mattress will help that much. One thing I do in the morning that really helps a lot is I use an infrared matt (Amazon) on the back for about 30 minutes. It really seems to get the blood flowing and loosens everything up. There are also exercises you can do to relieve the pain, a lot of them while you are in bed (youtube), also back massagers are helpful (Amazon).

Thanks! I’ll check all of that out.

 

[roguemocha]

FYI, on side sleeping. If you sleep on your right side, you are more likely to have acid/bile splash up your esophagus while you sleep. Sleeping on the left side is better for you.

This is also why you put an unconscious person, drowning victim, someone experiencing a seizure, passed out drunk, etc on their left side.

 

[BigTimeBecks3500]

Drake NEVER has back pain. I’d suggest one of these.

https://amp.www.complex.com/style/2020/04/drake-400-thousand-dollar-hastens-mattress

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Might not be the mattress at all.. if you sleep on your side you really need to try putting a pillow in between your legs, which will elevate the upper hip/leg and give you proper alignment, preventing unwanted spine rotation and stress.

Think about it: all night that top leg is either touching the bottom leg or completely on the bed. That's not a good position to be for 8 hours. Your legs should aligned and straight down, but gravity doesn't let you do that when you sleep on your side. I have lower back pain on and off, and that alone was one of the biggest helps.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Might not be the mattress at all.. if you sleep on your side you really need to try putting a pillow in between your legs, which will elevate the upper hip/leg and give you proper alignment, preventing unwanted spine rotation and stress.

Think about it: all night that top leg is either touching the bottom leg or completely on the bed. That's not a good position to be for 8 hours. Your legs should aligned and straight down, but gravity doesn't let you do that when you sleep on your side. I have lower back pain on and off, and that alone was one of the biggest helps.

I might try this.

I’m a side sleeper and also a bit fat. I sleep on my left side and usually wake up in the night with hip pain in the hip touching the mattress. It’s not severe pain, but hurts bad enough that it causes me to wake up and change positions.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I might try this.

I’m a side sleeper and also a bit fat. I sleep on my left side and usually wake up in the night with hip pain in the hip touching the mattress. It’s not severe pain, but hurts bad enough that it causes me to wake up and change positions.

Yep, that sounds almost exactly the same for me. I'd be amazed if this doesn't help at least a bit. Make sure to use a pillow with support or foam.. down pillows will just cave in.

Check it out more online tho.. there's some pictures that show just how bad your spine and hips can be out of alignment and stressed if you're a side sleeper.

 

[machineheadCAT]

Yep, that sounds almost exactly the same for me. I'd be amazed if this doesn't help at least a bit. Make sure to use a pillow with support or foam.. down pillows will just cave in.

Check it out more online tho.. there's some pictures that show just how bad your spine and hips can be out of alignment and stressed if you're a side sleeper.

I saw something about that the other day, but they said to put the pillow UNDER your knees. Seems to me that putting it in between makes more sense.

 

[Deeeefense]

I saw something about that the other day, but they said to put the pillow UNDER your knees. Seems to me that putting it in between makes more sense.

under your knees if you are lying on your back, but on your side, between.

 

[akaukswoosh]

But that means I’m facing the wife. Bile splash doesn’t sound so bad.

lolololol

 

[akaukswoosh]

but on your side, between.

Yep. That's the recommendation from experts.

 

[machineheadCAT]

under your knees if you are lying on your back, but on your side, between.

Makes more sense, thanks! I also bought one of these things below as I didn't really buy myself anything for Christmas, so what the heck. I think a big issue is that my hamstrings are really tight without me really feeling it unless I really dig in there.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I saw something about that the other day, but they said to put the pillow UNDER your knees. Seems to me that putting it in between makes more sense.

So I believe it's under the knees if you're on your back (haven't done this, personally), but it's between your knees if it's on your side.

You can always buy a product for this, and the one below is a common style that makes it so that both legs are aligned better, but I'f never had the need for this. The pillow between the knees on my side is enough to keep that top leg positioned correctly and not "sagging".

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I've had a lot of minor back injuries and such, whether it's from sleeping, sitting, or lifting. A few tips.:

-- Soft beds seem to be worse for me than firm beds. If my butt/back is sagging into the mattress, I'll be in pain within a few days.

-- I gave up on trendy shoes that had poor arch support in favor of New Balance and such. My GF always gives me crap, but IDC, no lower body pain ever, and my legs arent throbbing. I have horrible arches.

-- Stretching and warming up before lifting has been crucial. Even if it's just 5 min on an elliptical. Stretch the Rhomboids with band pull aparts, glute bridges for the posterior chain, etc. This should be done at ANY age, but especially once you're 30+. The body isn't meant to just get onto the bench press cold and crank out 135.. (I'd also recommend moving away from barbell exercises in general, the body has too many imbalances that the restrictive motion of anything with a barbell, will likely take it's toll).

-- I go to the Chiro once a month. $45 a visit, and I don't even think twice. What REALLY helped my back pains(both lower and upper), was regular visits to the chiro when it was severly bad and I was on muscle relaxers. I almost always get my neck and back cracked, with some additional hip mobility, stretching and the massage gun. And I haven't really had any setbacks in 18 months since going.

 

[UKRob 73]

I no longer play golf because of my back. Had a multitude of procedures over the years. I can't sleep at all without some kind of memory foam mattress. Even have a memory foam mattress at my hunting cabin.
That being said, I'm using a temperpedic now. I like it fine. If your last one worked for you, get another one.

Absolutely can't sleep without a pillow under my legs, or between them if I'm on my side.

 

[chroix]

The pillow between and under the knees can really help. That and making your core as strong as you can. Critical to preventing and eliminating back pain.

 

[NewEraCATS]

Get an adjustable base and forget sleeping on your side.

 

[chroix]

Get an adjustable base and forget sleeping on your side.

Any recommendations? They look really interesting and like they have a lot of potential but not that familiar with them.

 

[machineheadCAT]

So I believe it's under the knees if you're on your back (haven't done this, personally), but it's between your knees if it's on your side.

You can always buy a product for this, and the one below is a common style that makes it so that both legs are aligned better, but I'f never had the need for this. The pillow between the knees on my side is enough to keep that top leg positioned correctly and not "sagging".

Thanks for posting this! I immediately remembered that I had one of those. Just found it in the closet. It’s blue and made by Tempurpedic. I’ll start using it.

 

[nerdcat_rivals308595]

Not trying to be a smart aleck. Think seriously about giving up golf even though you love it. Back pain isn’t worth it. I don’t think any mattress or sleeping position will totally solve the problem. I had persist back problems in my 20‘s. Went to a neurologist. He asked when I had back problems. I said after playing basketball. He said, that might be your answer. I’ve got weak hamstrings and can’t bend well at the waist. The quick bending over motion was causing the problem. Stopped playing full court basketball at that time and haven’t had any back issues since, though I missed playing quite a bit.

 

[machineheadCAT]

Not trying to be a smart aleck. Think seriously about giving up golf even though you love it. Back pain isn’t worth it. I don’t think any mattress or sleeping position will totally solve the problem. I had persist back problems in my 20‘s. Went to a neurologist. He asked when I had back problems. I said after playing basketball. He said, that might be your answer. I’ve got weak hamstrings and can’t bend well at the waist. The quick bending over motion was causing the problem. Stopped playing full court basketball at that time and haven’t had any back issues since, though I missed playing quite a bit.

I'm not there yet, but I'll quit before even considering surgery. I think I need better sleep practices, commitment to stretching and core strengthening and I'll be ok. It doesn't hurt all day, just crazy stiff when I get up and then goes away after an hour or so.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'm not there yet, but I'll quit before even considering surgery. I think I need better sleep practices, commitment to stretching and core strengthening and I'll be ok. It doesn't hurt all day, just crazy stiff when I get up and then goes away after an hour or so.

He does bring up a point though: you could be doing damage now that you might not even know about, or feel for years. Sometimes it's well before surgery is actually needed.

Now I don't think it's golf itself. Probably just need more stretching, core work and maybe some added recovery. Someone mentioned Massage guns and they work well.

I have some AC joint pain from lifting (collarbone area more or less), and it's caused me to really rethink what lifts I should and shouldn't be doing. I either try and do those lifts and cause damage little by little, or I give them up in hopes I don't need surgery down the road.

 

[machineheadCAT]

He does bring up a point though: you could be doing damage now that you might not even know about, or feel for years. Sometimes it's well before surgery is actually needed.

Now I don't think it's golf itself. Probably just need more stretching, core work and maybe some added recovery. Someone mentioned Massage guns and they work well.

I have some AC joint pain from lifting (collarbone area more or less), and it's caused me to really rethink what lifts I should and shouldn't be doing. I either try and do those lifts and cause damage little by little, or I give them up in hopes I don't need surgery down the road.

I bought the massage gun. It arrives Monday. Whenever I take a couple of weeks off of golf, I feel fine......so it's muscular. I actually think it's all the walking. I never used to walk and now I walk when I play and sometimes play 3 times a week.......That's about 20 miles. I think I'm killing my hamstrings between the golf and all the walking so I'm really going to focus on that. The roman chair helps as well. When I get away from doing 100 reps a day on it, I seem to start having issues.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I bought the massage gun. It arrives Monday. Whenever I take a couple fo weeks off of golf, I feel fine......so it's muscular. I actually think it's all the walking. I never used to walk and now I walk when I play and sometimes play 3 times a week.......That's about 20 miles. I think I'm killing my hamstrings between the golf and all the walking so I'm really going to focus on that. The roman chair helps as well. When I get away from doing 100 reps a day on it, I seem to start having issues.

I know this is getting off topic here. But maybe some other hamstring exercises thrown in there. 100 reps a day of anything and your body starts to adjust accordingly to the work. Or, add weights to the Roman chair and hyperextensions

Dumbbell/barbell (yeah I'm contradicting myself here) stiff-leg deadlifts, glute bridge and different variations of it.. those are good. And probably start looking at mobility and stretching.

20 miles is a lot of walking if you're body isn't used to it, and if you're in your 30s and beyond (idk how hold you are).. I also can't imagine golf shoes are the best for walking but I know there might not be the way around this. But take a cart some days, they body is worth it.

 

[machineheadCAT]

I know this is getting off topic here. But maybe some other hamstring exercises thrown in there. 100 reps a day of anything and your body starts to adjust accordingly to the work. Or, add weights to the Roman chair and hyperextensions

Dumbbell/barbell (yeah I'm contradicting myself here) stiff-leg deadlifts, glute bridge and different variations of it.. those are good. And probably start looking at mobility and stretching.

20 miles is a lot of walking if you're body isn't used to it, and if you're in your 30s and beyond (idk how hold you are).. I also can't imagine golf shoes are the best for walking but I know there might not be the way around this. But take a cart some days, they body is worth it.

I found some hamstring stretches on Youtube today and did those and I absolutely have a hamstring issue and I know I have a Psoas muscle issue, but have learned how to loosen it up. Between really getting serious about the Psoas and Hamstrings, and putting that cushion in between my legs when I sleep, I think I'll be on my way. I also am going to get that strap to use to straighten my leg when doing hamstring as well as a Lacross ball.

 

[UKRob 73]

I mentioned earlier I gave up golf. I've played since I was a kid, played in highschool etc. It wasn't easy and I miss it considerably. But golf is horrible for the back because of the torque it puts on the back during the swing.
Tiger Woods is one of the most physically fit golfers of all time and has access to the best medical, training, etc. And he has had like 5 back surgeries.

I do know several players who have had success with shortening their swing a little bit. Enough that it has allowed them to keep playing. The longer the back swing, the more torque.

 

[machineheadCAT]

I mentioned earlier I gave up golf. I've played since I was a kid, played in highschool etc. It wasn't easy and I miss it considerably. But golf is horrible for the back because of the torque it puts on the back during the swing.

Tiger Woods is one of the most physically fit golfers of all time and has access to the best medical, training, etc. And he has had like 5 back surgeries.

I do know several players who have had success with shortening their swing a little bit. Enough that it has allowed them to keep playing. The longer the back swing, the more torque.

I pretty much don’t practice anymore and often don’t warm up because I only have so many swings in me. Slept with that cushion between my legs last night and it’s like night and day. No pain today. My concern was that I would toss and turn and it wouldn’t stay in place but that didn’t happen. Will keep at it and really start stretching the hamstrings each day. No way I’m giving up golf. Zero chance.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

Doctor wrote a prescription for 800mg of ibuprofen. Game changer. I am back to playing golf.

 

[machineheadCAT]

Doctor wrote a prescription for 800mg of ibuprofen. Game changer. I am back to playing golf.

i know a guy that used to take 5 Aleve’s to play a round. Dead now I would guess.

 

[DocPT]

Mattress is only going to treat the symptoms. You probably need to see a Physical Therapist and to determine what is causing your issues such a restricted hip, low back segment, motor control issue etc…