We all want a good sleep after a long tiring day. A cozy homely feeling and the softness of the mattress with a cozy sleeping position with no muscle pull or pain is what we all crave every night.
But if you’re a side sleeper yet face the problem of hip pain, your goodnight sleep will turn into a nightmare making your life difficult and pathetic.
How to elevate hip pain in side sleeper is something we often ask around. But this article will give you all the insights into the pain you’re facing. Let’s learn more about hip pain and the solution to this problem that is destroying your beauty sleep.
What Causes Hip Pain at Night
Hip pain can result from various things, such as;
- Hip strain
- Medical conditions
- Sleeping posture
- Strain from doing exercises
- Pain from other regions of the body
These can cause hip pain. So, if you think it is getting worse, then consult a specialist. But if you think enough rest can solve this issue, then try resting with a pillow kept in between your knees.
Medical Issues That Cause Hip Pain during Sleeping
Bursitis
There are small sacs that cushions our hip joints. They can get inflamed and it can cause you pain. Usually, the agony is intolerable when it starts and eventually turns into a dull ache. If you only notice your hip pain when you lie down, then there’s a high chance that it is bursitis.
Tendinopathy
This is a kind of tendon disorder. We also know it as tendinitis or tendonitis. Tendinopathy results in swelling and pain in the hip joint. The pain increases if you switch places or move during sleeping.
Osteoarthritis
This is one of the most common types of arthritis which occur because of the shrink of the protective cartilage of your body. Some major symptoms of this disease are pain, loss of movement, grating sensation, and tenderness.
Exercise Going Wrong
Exercises keep our body fit. But if we do not maintain the correct posture or body balance during some specific exercises, then it may cause hip pain.
Some of these exercises include seated knee raise, running, seated leg extension, hip hinge, etc. We need to be careful while doing these exercises so that the strain or muscle pull on the hip area doesn’t cause hip pain later on.
Pregnancy
Hip pain is usually very common during pregnancy. We often see it at the end of the pregnancy period. Because of the relaxin hormone, the ligaments that keep the sacroiliac joints become loose. This happens as it connects the sacroiliac joint to the spine and pelvis. Using a pillow in the hip area can relieve pain to some extent.
Sleeping Posture
This plays an important role in developing hip pain. To avoid discomfort later on, one should follow the right sleeping posture.
Mattress
If the mattress is not adequate, then there’s a high risk of developing hip pain while sleeping. Hence, a comfortable mattress is a must. If you’re a side sleeper, then a pressure-relieving yet soft mattress is essential for you.
Some Common Pain Relief Hacks for Side Sleepers
Let’s get to know some of the solutions you can try.
Change Your Sleeping Position
Changing your sleeping position is always a great idea. If you’re a side sleeper, then try some other sleeping postures, like sleeping on your back. Try to see how you feel. Again, if you’re a back sleeper, then try sleeping sideways.
Place a Pillow under Your Hip
If you’re a side sleeper facing hip pain, then place a wedge pillow under your hips to provide comfortable cushioning. If you don’t have that, you can use a wrapped towel or a folded blanket to do the work. You can also put this pillow under your knees to reduce the stress by creating a balance from the hips to the knees.
See also: Best Pillow for Side and Stomach Sleepers
Keep a Pillow between Your Legs
Keeping a pillow between two knees always works for side sleepers. This is because the pillow aligns the hips and relieves pressure. This sleeping pattern is comfortable, and it also alleviates pain.
Best Mattress for Hip and Back Pain
All the above tactics will temporarily and immediately remove your hip pain. But if you’re looking for a stronger and permanent solution, then nothing is better than getting the best mattress for hip and back pain.
If you’re a side sleeper, before buying a mattress, you’ve to keep in mind that if the mattress is too soft, it will sink your hips and put pressure on your spine. On the other hand, if the mattress is too hard, it will cause discomfort by putting a lot of pressure on the hip joint area of your body.
Memory foam mattresses are also good for relieving hip pain and back pain for side sleepers. It allows the hips to sink into the mattress. This might ease some pressure for a while, and you’ll definitely feel much better later on. Hence this mattress is better than the spring ones.
Now, let’s have a look at some of the best mattresses for hip and back pain.
GravityLux
Pros
- You’ll get several options regarding the resistance of this mattress
- The foam layers will provide support to your body
- Will help in providing the correct spinal positioning
Cons
- Will sink around the corners
- It might be a bit expensive for some people
Nectar Mattress
Pros
- Will provide medium firmness
- Your body temperature will automatically adjust to the mattress
- The foam layers are thick enough to support your body
Cons
- This mattress might be too hard for sleepers with a lower body weight
- You won’t be able to return the mattress before 30 days if you don’t like it at first
Loom & Leaf
Pros
- You’ll get several choices regarding the support of this mattress
- This unit is exemplary in motion isolation and movements because of the presence of memory foam
Cons
- Can be uncomfortable because of the trapping of body heat
- People with higher body weight might find this mattress uneasy
DreamCloud
Pros
- Will provide medium hardness
- Prevents sinkage around the edges because of the perfect edge support
- Is great for people with hip pains as it cushions the hips
- Because of the firmness, it provides healthy spinal support
Cons
- You cannot return this mattress immediately after buying it
- This one is also not suitable for people with less body weight
Nolah Original
Pros
- The presence of AirFoam softens and cushions the hips
- Is helpful for keeping the spine aligned and straight
- A wonderful choice for sleepers of less body weight
- Can adjust its temperature with your body
Cons
- You can’t return this mattress immediately if you don’t like it
- People who find memory foam uncomfortable shouldn’t try this one
Conclusion
Hip and back pain will clearly cause you a lot of trouble in moving, working, and carrying out your everyday chores. But this article on how to elevate hip pain in side sleeper will definitely help you manage your sleeping position and find the best mattress to relieve your hip pain.
Sweet dreams!
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