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If you get out of bed in the morning and experience back pain, you’re not alone. Studies have revealed that for thousands of people, back pain interferes with both getting to sleep and staying asleep. Whilst for others, back pain is a symptom of awkward sleeping positions that put unnecessary stress and strain on the body.

There isn’t one “right” sleeping position that will guarantee everyone a restful and pain-free sleep. Everyone experiences pain differently and what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some simple tricks you can try that’ll help to take the pain and strain off your back and give you a restorative night’s sleep.

To mark World Sleep Day on Friday 14th March, our musculoskeletal experts have shared their top tips on sleep setups that support your body whilst you’re catching those much needed ZZZs.

Sleeping positions:

Three illustrations show sleeping positions for side, back, and stomach sleepers with pillow placements. Text provides tips for each position to alleviate pain and improve posture.

Pillow Talk:

Use a pillow that helps to keep your head in a neutral position to reduce strain on your neck. A pillow that’s too low may result in your jaw pointing toward the ceiling. If it’s too high, your jaw might drop toward your chest.

Three illustrated pairs show correct and incorrect sleeping postures. Incorrect positions are marked with red crosses, and correct positions with green checkmarks, emphasising proper neck alignment on pillows.

Three tips to help you get a pain-free sleep:

Three sections describe bedtime tips with icons: stretching, checking room temperature, and showering. Text advises quick stretches, maintaining a cool sleeping environment, and showering for better sleep.

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