what is going on in my sleep that i keep sleeping on my side and waking up with my neck tilted backwards C?

So I guess from my research that I have stress related neck and back pain for the past 13 yrs. Recently I've developed a habit of tilting my head backwards sometimes even more than my neck and I will wake up kind of arched backwards. I do sleep with pillow in between my legs or under my knees if being on my back is less painful. But I'm mostly a side sleeper. I've tried googling this backwards C position I'm doing but no luck. I had on diagnosis of spinal arthritis but I stopped seeing that doctor and my new doctor has me doing PT and if that doesn't work, I will be referred to a specialist. Any ideas on what could be causing this and if its damaging? I'm not comfortable in this position so i can't understand why I end up in this position in my sleep.

Beverly2012-06-27T07:06:26Z

Favorite Answer

I am inclined to believe that there is merit to the diagnosis of spinal arthritis, and that there is a definite relationship between your sleeping position and your neck and back pain, which is somewhat of a "chicken and egg" situation (the pain influences you to sleep in a distorted position, which in turn, increases the pain, and so perpetuates the situation). I am a massage therapist, so I have a bias as far as what to do for it, from a therapeutic perspective. However, recently I discovered something quite by accident that may help you, too. I purchased a product called "Goji Vitamin Super Chews" at a local health food supply . I bought it because my husband had a severe cold and cough, and I felt I was catching it, so I wanted to strengthen my immune system with a power punch of vitamin support. That's all. I ate the chews as directed, and was amazed that my cold came and went over the weekend in about 2-3 days. I was thus impressed with my find. But, only a couple of days ago, I was on the phone with a friend of mine, and she was relating how her dog had been so crippled with arthritis that he could hardly stand, let alone run around and play, and he had received vitamin B injections into his spine, giving him a new lease on life. His pain was gone, and he ran around and played like a puppy. I thought about my back. A light bulb came on in my head. My back pain had subsided, and I had never thought about the vitamin chews affecting my back, because that is not why I bought them. But they are loaded with B vitamins. Thus, I recommended them to my friend with back pain yesterday, because I believe that they improved my back condition, and I am talking about pain in the spine, not the muscles. So, that is where I am recommending that you start. You might get a significant decrease in pain from taking B vitamins, and I highly recommend the combination of nutrients in this supplement by Genesis Today. Besides that, I would recommend that you see a good massage therapist.

Anonymous2016-05-17T18:12:00Z

I read an article about this and it said to take a shower and alternate hot and cold water. Start with the hot water for 3 to 4 minutes then switch to cold for 3-4 minutes. Do this a few times back and forth and end with cold water. If you are like me, there is nothing that cold get me to take a cold shower in the middle of winter so I would just use a heating pad and an ice pack. Also, take some Advil to help with pain and lessen the inflammation.