Monday, October 3, 2011

“How does a Pillow Under or Between my Knees Help my Back?”

Your back muscles connect to your butt muscles, which then connect to your hamstrings, etc … Taking tension off your legs will then relax your back slightly. So, if you’re laying on your back and put something under your knees, for example, this will flex the knees, decreasing leg and back tension. Your hamstring muscles become shortened and relaxed lowering tension in your gluts and therefore your lower back.

On your side, a pillow between the knees will keep your legs and pelvis level. Think about being on your side if one leg flops well over the other, your pelvis is forced into rotation. The name of the game is to keep pressure off of nerves, and keeping the spine in alignment does this.

One more thing to keep in mind, just like the muscles, but is true for the spine as well, is that it's completely connected. For example, if your cervical curve (neck alignment) is just right then your thoracic curvature maintains better alignment. The lumber spine then can stay in good position. That being said, it's a good idea to use a chiropractic neck pillow too.

These are a couple tricks with a pillow to help keep your back relaxed and without nerve pressure, therefore without pain. Happy sleeping!


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

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7 comments:

Fibro.patients.drugs said...

I'm a 57-year-old male. I have terrible lower back pain mostly related to a head injury in 2004. The doctor had to do a four-layer fusion in my neck and block L-4. From that point, my lower back has gotten out of control. I take Vicodin 10, four to five times a day, plus I wear a Duragesic pain patch. The problem is mostly L-5, S-1. They want to do surgery; maybe it's my only hope.

Randy Huggins
Controlledsubstances.net

Dra.Alicia.Kirk said...

Being a chronic back pain sufferer, I've used multiple back pain treatments including a TENS unit, massage therapy, rehabilitation, back pain exercises and back strengthening exercises, heat and cold therapy, various back pain medicine including NSAIDs and prescription back pain relievers, etc. I've learned that strengthening and conditioning your back (stomach muscles) really helps minimize injury and inflammation, as well as learning how to lift properly, bending and twisting properly, etc. My back pain causes began with the birth of my first child, then a serious car accident in '97. Physical therapy is a very good option to relieve chronic back pain, and proper ergonomics, stretching, etc. are very important. i try to help others learn what they can do to reduce their back pain naturally, etc. from what i've learned in my journey at my personal back pain blog, Stop Back Pain Cause Now. i really appreciate your information, and utilize it regularly as a reference when researching or answering others' questions. thank you very much for your invaluable information.

Alicia Kirk
Medical-rights.com

Raniasgarden said...

Sleep positions or other ways to help a bad back during the night? ... sleeping with a pillow between my legs (helps a little but not much, ... I found heat to be a good treatment, and I agree about the pillow under the knees

Herbal Pain Relief

Unknown said...

Great tip! Too often, people wait until the pain becomes unbearable before they contact a chiropractor. Waiting can cause long-term damage, so it is important that you contact your chiropractor when the pain originally begins. Chiropractic goes to the root of the problem, helping patients live pain-free without the use of medication.

Unknown said...

Great tip! Too often, people wait until the pain becomes unbearable before they contact a chiropractor. Waiting can cause long-term damage, so it is important that you contact your chiropractor when the pain originally begins. Chiropractic goes to the root of the problem, helping patients live pain-free without the use of medication.

Anonymous said...

I have read your post and I found this really informative and valuable according to the subject you are talking about The sleeping positions for the back pain during at night with a pillow between legs and helps much better. Thanks for the information Hope to see the next update soon.

Chiropractic Bergen County

takeshi007 said...

This is really a good tips for all of us to avoid back pains and have good back alignment and I think it is also a good exercise and relaxation. You can also sleep well if you don't have back pain.

Back pain Fairfax

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