Do & Don't Cervical Pain - Anodynespine

Do's & Don't Cervical Pain

Do's Back Pain

Getting the right mattress :- No matter how comfortable a squishy-soft feather bed may seem at first, a firmer mattress is usually the best for your back, Polivka says. “The types of beds where partners can choose a different level of support can be good, because differences in body structure and size can make what’s comfortable for one person different from another.”

Keep your bed in shape :- If you’re waking up stiff and sore, check your mattress. How long has it been since you replaced it? “It’s the same as with running shoes: you put a lot of pressure on the mattress and deforming the foam over time,” Polivka explains. Twice a year, flip the mattress over and check for divots, dents, wear and tear and breakage. If there are spots where the mattress isn’t springing back the way it used to, it’s time to spring for a new one. Consumer Reports recommends that you consider changing your mattress if yours is at more than 5 to 7 years old.

Sleep smart :- The worst sleep position for your back? On your stomach. “It puts your neck in a more extended, rotated position -- because you can’t sleep face down -- and that puts the most strain on your joints.

Don't Back Pain

Get the right vehicle :- If you’re debating between a wagon and a minivan, or a sports car and a sedan, the bigger vehicle is usually the better choice -- for your back, not necessarily the environment. “Bigger cars allow you to make more adjustments in your seating,” explains Polivka. The more vertically you can sit, allowing you to keep your knees level with or below your hips, the better for your back. “That puts the least compression on your lumbar spine.

Set your seat properly :- Don’t push it so far back that you have to lean and hunch forward to reach the steering wheel.

Play with pillows :- Some people rush right out and buy support pillows for use in their car, only to find it useless for their specific needs. “Get a few towel rolls and small throw pillows from home and try them out,” Polivka says. “Some people need support higher, between their shoulder blades, while others need something lower at their lumbar spine.

Take breaks :- If you have a long trip ahead of you, stop about every hour to stand, stretch, and redistribute your weight..