Pinched nerves can impact a number of areas on your body. They come with symptoms that can impact your sleep and daily routine. Avoid letting your pinched nerve impact your life and seek medical help right away. IN the meantime, consider your sleep position as it can help relieve some of your symptoms. Below you will find helpful tips on how to sleep with a pinched nerve.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

A pinched nerve happens with the tissue surrounding a nerve pressed on it. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area. This can make it difficult to move the body part affected by the pinched nerve. The symptoms can make daily tasks difficult so it’s important to get treatment and find effective ways to manage the issue.

How to Sleep With a Pinched Nerve

Sleeping with a pinched nerve can be challenging. The way you should sleep depends on where your pinched nerve is located. Consider the following if you are struggling with sleep due to a pinched nerve.

Neck or Back

If you have pinched nerves on your neck or back, you are not alone. These are the most common locations for pinched nerves and are often characterized by pain and numbness. Numbness can occur in your neck, back, or down one or both of your arms. This can make turning your head, bending down, twisting, and even sitting much more difficult. However, there are some helpful ways that you can sleep to improve your symptoms.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach if you have a pinched nerve in your neck or back. Sleeping on your stomach puts extreme pressure on your spine which can exacerbate the pain you experience from a pinched nerve. Sleep on your side if you can as it can help reduce the unwanted symptoms from a pinched nerve. Be sure that your pillow isn’t too thick or too thin. Side sleepers generally need thicker pillows so check your back to see if your spine is in a straight line while you are lying down. It’s also helpful to have a firm mattress as your hips and shoulders will sink when you sleep on your side.

Arm or Shoulder

A pinched nerve in your arm or shoulder can be really difficult due to the pain and discomfort. Your arm has three major nerves that can become compressed and cause issues. Bending our arms when you sleep can compress those nerves. It’s best to sleep on your side if you have pinched nerves in your arm or shoulder. However, you need to sleep on the side that does not have the pinched nerve to improve your symptoms. If both of your arms are affected, sleep on your back with your arms straight.

Hip

Pinched nerves in your hips are often due to your sleep position. The compression around your bones, tendons, and ligaments in your hips can cause a pinched nerve. If you can sleep on your back, that can be helpful. However, if you have to sleep on your side, sleep on the side that is not impacted by the pinched nerve. Place a pillow between your legs to keep your hips aligned with your spine.

Pinched Nerve Treatment in Beverly Hills

If you have experienced symptoms associated with a pinched nerve for more than one week, it is time to seek medical treatment. Pinched nerve treatment in Beverly Hills is likely necessary as it can address the unwanted symptoms associated with a pinched nerve. Treatment can also provide you with effective ways to reduce your risk for getting a pinched nerve again. Dr. Yashar is the top Beverly Hills spinal surgeon and has helped countless patients address their pinched nerves. Contact the team at Yashar Neurosurgery today to schedule a consultation!