Back and neck pain are such common complaints among athletes and active people that they have become something most learn to deal with after a while. These aches and pains can be caused by a number of factors, but how many times have you blamed a bad day on your back or neck for “sleeping weird”?
You may actually be onto something.
We highly value a good night’s sleep if you train hard and want to build muscle, but your sleeping positions matter as much as the amount of sleep you get when it comes to staying injury-free. .
It’s as simple as paying more attention to the position you fall asleep in, says a physical therapist Vinh Phamfounder of Myodetox and Director of Collections at A SYSTEM. The best sleeping position differs from person to person, but some research and testing can help you find yours.
Pham is particularly popular with bodybuilders, athletes, and celebrities for its style of manual therapy, which explains the basic level of strength people in these groups tend to have and focuses on mobility. He updates over 588,000 followers on his personal Instagram, @vinnierehabwith daily advice and answers to common questions about pain and rehabilitation.
Considering how much time the most serious interns spend in bed, it’s a wonder many aren’t more specific about their sleep strategies. With that in mind, we turned to Pham for the best sleeping positions, accessories, and stretches to help you go to bed and wake up pain-free.
These suggestions are all general, but they are safe strategies to test and see what works for you over time.
