If you’ve been waking at night or feeling sore in the mornings due to pain in certain areas, like your hips or shoulders, you’re not alone. According to an article by The Cleveland Clinic, between 50 and 90 percent of people with chronic joint pain don’t sleep well, and that lack of sleep can then negatively impact your health. Whether or not you’re experiencing joint pain or simple discomfort while sleeping, here are some things to try, including adding a mattress topper to relieve pressure point pain.
What is a pressure point?
The pressure points mentioned regarding sleep comfort are not the same as those used in acupressure, which is a type of bodywork that is like acupuncture without the needles. Depending on your preferred sleep position, your body can rest on a mattress more heavily in certain areas than others. These sleep-related pressure points are the areas of your body that rest on a mattress, such as your hips and shoulders.
Common pressure point areas that can be uncomfortable or painful during sleep include:
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Knees
- Lower back
How a mattress or mattress topper can help relieve pressure point pain
First, if you’re experiencing chronic pain that’s affecting your sleep, talk with your healthcare provider to discuss potential causes and treatments.
Additionally, you can explore whether it’s time for a bedding upgrade to create a more comfortable sleep environment, including getting a new mattress. Look for a mattress designed for your specific body type, sleep position, and comfort needs. If you’re not ready for a mattress upgrade, a mattress topper could extend the life of your current mattress and improve comfort in pressure point areas.
Either way, it might take some time to experiment to determine which type of mattress topper in terms of depth or firmness level can address your needs. Adjusting your sleep position may also help relieve pressure point pain while sleeping. If you’re a side sleeper, try sleeping with a pillow between your legs to adjust the pressure on your hips.
For sore shoulders, try back sleeping with a small pillow or bolster under your knees to keep your spine in a more neutral position.
Last but not least, we wrote some tips for falling asleep fast and for maintaining good sleep hygiene. We hope these ideas can help you make some adjustments in habits and comfort levels so you can get the best rest possible.
