How To Look After Your Back & Neck
Back and neck stiffness is pretty common, and is usually caused by working out, sitting at a desk all day, or heavy lifting. Applying Muscle Butter USA is a great way to soothe those sore, tired muscles. Massage in 1-3 times a day as part of your recovery routine.
Other things you should consider—your sleeping position.
According to physical therapist Vinh Pham, you should give more consideration to your sleeping position, because it heavily impacts how your back and neck feel.
Here’s how to look after your back and neck while you sleep:
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The best sleeping position depends on how you feel
The “best” sleeping position will vary from person to person. Pham explains that if, for example, your neck feels stiff, the worst sleeping position would be to sleep on your stomach. This is because you have a preferential side when you’re rotated, and sleeping with your head turned to one side all night can be the cause of that stiffness.
If your lower back feels tight, sleeping on your back could actually make it worse. It puts your lower spine in a flexed position.
Pham suggests sleeping on your side to avoid both of these problems.
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Consider your position throughout the day
Basically, you want to sleep in the opposite position that you’re in during the day.
Pham says that if you’re a boxer and you’re usually rotated to the left, or you’re a golfer and you always swing to the right, you should sleep in the opposite rotation.
If you sit at a desk all day, you should sleep on your side or stomach, and give your back a rest.
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Add Sleeping Accessories
A firm mattress is generally better for your body. You want a mattress that doesn’t fold under your weight.
If your back bothers you but you can’t help but sleep on your back, try to add a pillow under your lower back and under you knees.
Above all, pay attention to the way you sleep, because it affects how you feel throughout the day. Apply Muscle Butter before bed as part of your wind-down routine.