Sleep Positions to Avoid If You Have Chronic Hip Pain: Halina Snowball, MD: Pain Management (2024)

Integrated Pain Solutions Blog Sleep Positions to Avoid If You Have Chronic Hip Pain

Sleep Positions to Avoid If You Have Chronic Hip Pain: Halina Snowball, MD: Pain Management (1)

Sleep is supposed to be a restorative time. If you’re living with persistent hip pain, though, the way you sleep could leave you feeling worse come morning.

Fortunately, the opposite is also true. Sleeping in specific positions can alleviate pressure on your hip.

If you’re currently living with persistent hip pain, don’t hesitate to visit us here at Integrated Pain Solutions in Stamford, Connecticut. While changing your sleep position probably won’t be enough to completely alleviate your hip pain, it can absolutely help. When paired with targeted hip pain treatment from Dr. Halina Snowball, you can move toward the pain-free life you deserve.

To head in the right direction, make some changes at night. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or on the side of the hip that hurts. Instead, choose one of these two options.

Try sleeping on your back

Sleeping on your back evenly distributes your weight and prevents any one joint from getting strained. That means it’s beneficial for your hips.

If you’re not normally a back sleeper, it can be tricky to get used to this position. Try adding a pillow or bolster under your knees. Not only does this further ease strain on your hip flexors, but it can also help you stay on your back through the night. That added bit of extra support might be what you need to wake up without pain that’s worse than the night before.

Try sleeping on your side

If you’re a side sleeper and only one of your hips hurts, sleep on the side that doesn’t have pain.

Grab a pillow and put it between your legs. This protects the hip that you’re not sleeping on. Without the pillow, the knee falling forward can put strain on your hip. With the pillow, your hips stay aligned.

You can get knee pillows specifically designed to serve this purpose, but a normal bed pillow should also do the trick.

Pair sleep positions with hip pain treatment

If you have very mild hip pain, changing how you sleep might bring you relief. Most people will need to do more, though.

Dr. Snowball can tailor a treatment plan to your specific cause of hip pain and your body. That might include:

  • Therapeutic massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical therapy
  • Activity modification
  • Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT®)
  • Medication
  • Regenerative medicine

When paired with your new sleeping position, your treatment should help you move toward a life with little to no hip pain.

Don’t hobble your way through your days and suffer at night. Try a new sleeping position at home, but don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Snowball for more resources to ease your hip pain. Call our office at 203-293-0549 or request an appointment online today to get started.

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Sleep Positions to Avoid If You Have Chronic Hip Pain: Halina Snowball, MD: Pain Management (2024)

FAQs

Sleep Positions to Avoid If You Have Chronic Hip Pain: Halina Snowball, MD: Pain Management? ›

When paired with targeted hip pain treatment from Dr. Halina Snowball, you can move toward the pain-free life you deserve. To head in the right direction, make some changes at night. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or on the side of the hip that hurts.

What position in bed is best for hip pain? ›

The best solution? Sleep on your back. If changing your sleep position is hard, try putting a pillow between your knees or slightly behind your back to relieve pressure and keep your hips aligned. A mattress topper or more supportive mattress might also help.

What positions should you avoid with hip pain? ›

Activities or positions that put pressure on the hip bursa, such as lying down, sitting in one position for a long time, or walking distances can irritate the bursa and cause more pain.

How do you sleep with a pillow for hip pain? ›

Putting a pillow between your knees helps keep your pelvis and spine neutral while you sleep. You may find that it helps reduce your back or hip pain. If you're dealing with back pain on both sides, or if you prefer to sleep on your back, you can try sleeping on your back with a pillow beneath your knees.

What can I put on my bed to help with hip pain? ›

You may want to consider changing your mattress. A mattress that's too firm may be especially painful for people who have hip bursitis. You can also try putting a foam pad on top of your mattress to help distribute your weight.

How to reduce hip pain while sleeping? ›

Instead of laying on your side, try to sleep on your back instead for a few nights. It may seem weird at first, but you will adjust after a night or two. If sleeping on your back is not an option, sleep on the side that does not hurt and place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned.

What is the best painkiller for severe hip pain? ›

Pain Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) and ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and Motrin), are commonly used to ease hip pain. Analgesics such as muscle rubs can be used for temporary pain relief.

What is stage 4 hip pain? ›

Stage 4 (the most severe stage): The cartilage is almost gone, which causes chronic inflammation. Pain and stiffness are felt almost all of the time.

Should I keep walking with hip pain? ›

Things like going on a daily walk or going swimming will help to improve your general health and take the strain off your hip, by strengthening other muscles in the body. Sometimes people stop exercising once their pain clears up, but when they do it's common for them to start having problems again quite quickly.

Can a bad mattress cause hip pain? ›

The firmness level of your mattress can significantly impact your hip pain, which is why it's essential to find the right balance of mattress firmness. An overly soft mattress may contour to your body, but it can cause your hips to sink in too far, causing misalignment and pressure on sensitive areas.

How do I adjust my bed for hip pain? ›

To alleviate hip pain, place a pregnancy pillow or a regular pillow between your knees. This not only supports the hips but also aligns the pelvis, reducing strain on the hip joints. 2. Elevated Upper Body: Using a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body can help reduce the pressure on your hips.

Is a harder or softer bed better for hip pain? ›

A medium-firm mattress is often the ideal choice for reducing hip pain, as it provides a balance of support and softness.

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