How to Sleep With SI Joint Pain
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction can cause a range of life-limiting symptoms, including pain when walking, sitting, standing and even sleeping. Living in pain can severely reduce quality of life, but not being able to achieve a restful night of sleep can really damper self-esteem and positive outlook. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep comfortably due to SI joint pain, here are a few tips to help you achieve the restful night of sleep that you deserve.
Adjust Your Sleeping Position
When you sleep with SI joint pain, it is important to support your lower back area when laying down. Avoid laying flat on your back or stomach, as this can exacerbate SI joint discomfort. Everyone is different, and it may take some experimenting to find the right sleeping position for you. However, some basic tips include:
- Lay on your more comfortable side
- Keep one of your legs bent while sleeping
- Relax the painful side backward
- Use a contoured pillow under your head and a pillow under your arm to align your spine at night
Choose the Right Mattress
Mattress preferences are different for everyone, but when one suffers from SI joint pain at night, it is especially important to get the right mattress. You may find that you need more support than your average mattress can provide, which is why memory foam or adjustable mattresses may be most beneficial. These options are specifically designed to give your body complete support, and allow SI joint pain sufferers get a restful night’s sleep without holding tenderness or pain in the morning.
Optimize Your Nighttime Routine
Your nightly ritual can set you up for success or failure. If you’re not mentally and physically prepared for sleep, then you are more likely to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep with SI joint pain. Optimizing your nightly routine can ensure that your mind and body are both prepared for rest, helping you stay asleep. These sleeping tips can help you prepare for nighttime:
- Follow a steady sleep schedule where you wake up and go to bed at approximately the same time every day
- Avoid napping during the day as this can make you not tired at night
- Keep your bedroom clean, comfortable and dark
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine close to bedtime
- Stretch before bed
Seek Relief for Your SI Joint Pain
SI joint pain is commonly associated with stiffness and discomfort after sleeping for long periods of time, but by following these helpful tips, you can enhance your comfort at night. However, sometimes, it doesn’t matter how much you try, your chronic SI joint pain won’t go away. If you have tried temporary solutions, it may be time to explore a new option. PainTEQ‘s LinQ SI Joint Stabilization System is a minimally invasive option to combat SI joint pain. One single implant with a faster recovery time than traditional fusion may help you find relief.
To learn more about LinQ, contact us today to get started.
