Do you ever wake up in the morning with a throbbing hip? If you’re like most people, the standard answer is likely yes. Sleeping on your side can cause a lot of discomfort for your hips; unfortunately, it’s a habit that many of us are guilty of. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic hip pain, and sleeping on your side can be one of the main culprits.
When you sleep on your side, it puts more pressure on the joints in your hips. This can cause discomfort and lead to more severe conditions such as hip bursitis or osteoarthritis. Let us discuss the causes and treatments for hip pain from sleeping on your side.
Causes of Hip Pain While Sleeping on the Side
A few factors can cause hip pain when you sleep on your side. First, if you sleep on one side too often and for long periods, the pressure from your body weight can put uneven stress and strain on the muscles and joints in the hip area. This type of muscle or joint imbalance can lead to inflammation and pain.Second, if you have an existing condition like arthritis or bursitis in your hip, sleeping on that side can aggravate the symptoms. Arthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage between bones to be worn away, creating friction when two bones try to move against each other. Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa sacs that cushion the hip joint and reduce friction.
Also, if you sleep on your side in an awkward position, like having one leg raised higher than the other, it can create uneven pressure across your hips. This can cause pain in the hip area due to muscle or joint strain over time.
Nerve impingement is another possible cause of hip pain when sleeping on the side. Sometimes, a nerve may be compressed or irritated by an underlying medical condition like stenosis, herniated disc, or sciatica. This will result in a burning sensation in the hip area, radiating pain down your leg.
Tendonitis happens when a tendon gets inflamed or irritated due to overuse, a sudden injury from lifting something heavy, or an existing medical condition like osteoporosis. Pain may be felt in the hip area or down the side of your leg.
Some Tips to Help Relieve Hip Pain from Side Sleeping
Sleeping on your side can be difficult if you are dealing with hip pain. Here are tips that can help relieve hip pain when sleeping on your side:
1. Use A Pillow Between Your Knees –
This helps keep the hips aligned and in one position while sleeping, reducing pressure on the hips. Place a pillow or rolled-up blanket between your legs, so they remain parallel throughout the night.
2. Elevate Your Legs –
Another way to reduce strain on the hips is by elevating your legs while sleeping. Place a few pillows under the knees or use a foam wedge pillow to remain elevated throughout the night.
3. Get a Mattress That Supports Proper Posture –
A good mattress should be firm enough to keep you in proper alignment but soft enough to cushion the hips. A mattress that is too hard or too soft can cause more stress on the hips.
Contact our chiropractic team for the best hip pain treatment in Roswell. Our expert chiropractors can diagnose and treat your hip pain without needing medications or surgery.