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Slide show
Slide show: Sleeping positions that reduce back pain
By Mayo Clinic staff
Sleeping on your side
By making simple changes in your sleeping position, you can take strain off your back. If you sleep on your side, draw your legs up slightly toward your chest and put a pillow between your legs. Use a full-length body pillow if you prefer.
This position may be particularly helpful if you have osteoarthritis in the spine, spinal stenosis — a narrowing in the spine — or hip pain.
Next slide- Low back pain: Tips on pain relief and prevention. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/treatment/117.html. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
- Hagan PT, ed. Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care. 5th ed. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2006:54.
- Staehler RA. Mattresses and sleep positions for each back pain diagnosis. Spine-Health. http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/mattresses-and-sleep-positions-each-back-pain-diagnosis. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
- Shelerud RA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 10, 2008.
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