Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-12-17 10:53 PM

User image

Veteran
135
10025
Subject: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
I broke my collar bone a little over a week ago cycling and as a result I am having to sleep on my back. I have NEVER been a back sleeper and I am dying! I am getting extremelyBad lower back spasms in the night now. I have gotten stable enough to sleep on one side with the help of a body pillow but only for a little bit before I'm u comfortable again.Any suggestions on how to relief this pain? I pretty sure it's just muscle related because my back is fine all the rest of the time I have even been able to prob myself on a spin bike and even a little power walking and no pain!


2012-12-17 10:54 PM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Elite
4435
2000200010010010010025
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

rungirl222 - 2012-12-18 3:53 PM I broke my collar bone a little over a week ago cycling and as a result I am having to sleep on my back. I have NEVER been a back sleeper and I am dying! I am getting extremelyBad lower back spasms in the night now. I have gotten stable enough to sleep on one side with the help of a body pillow but only for a little bit before I'm u comfortable again.Any suggestions on how to relief this pain? I pretty sure it's just muscle related because my back is fine all the rest of the time I have even been able to prob myself on a spin bike and even a little power walking and no pain!

I find putting a pillow under my backside, forces the lower back into a more neutral position...

2012-12-18 7:32 AM
in reply to: #4539140

User image

Expert
1159
10001002525
Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

When I broke my collarbone and shoulder blade I ended up sleeping in a recliner for a few weeks.  I found that to be more comfortable than sleeping in the bed on my back.

2012-12-18 7:54 AM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Champion
16743
500050005000100050010010025
Somewhere I can be nekidd
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

I have arthritis in my lower spine, so I can't really sleep on my back. When I have been injured and forced to sleep on my back I have found that a thin pillow under my upper legs helps relieve the pain, or as someone else said - sleep in a recliner.

Sending healing juju.

2012-12-18 12:58 PM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Master
2235
200010010025
Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
I had to back-sleep for weeks recently after a cycling accident....I just kept propping pillows under me here and there until I found what worked....unfortunately sleep was never easy, but it is getting better, so hang in there!! 
2012-12-18 4:51 PM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Extreme Veteran
657
5001002525
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

I usually like to be in a reclined position with a pillow under my back, under my neck and my knees propped up.  I'm not a very good artist but here I go:

Recliner

I've also found if I prop my legs up on a chair or bed it can help:

Leg on chair

A few things to consider:

Did you injure your back during the accident that injured your collar bone and just not start to feel it after a week?

Did you change your bike position to where it's putting stress on your back?

Are you lifting things differently because you're only using one arm?

 

Things to think of.  Thankfully most back injuries seem to get better on their own and just need symptomatic treatment.

2012-12-18 7:19 PM
in reply to: #4539348

User image

Master
2563
20005002525
University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
Patrick E - 2012-12-18 8:32 AM

When I broke my collarbone and shoulder blade I ended up sleeping in a recliner for a few weeks.  I found that to be more comfortable than sleeping in the bed on my back.

I had exactly the same experience. When I tried to lie down, I got sharp pains in my torso (front, in fact) after just a few minutes. I suspected that I might have fared better if I had tried to move around more to strengthen the relevant muscles, which were not doing well while I was stuck in a chair all day long.

Good luck.

2012-12-18 10:18 PM
in reply to: #4539139

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
My collarbone was broken when I was like 4, so don't remember much there, but did have a separated shoulder a few years ago. Are you able to sleep on your other side at at all? I had some trouble (quite a bit actually) sleeping on my back because of rather tight hip flexors. Laying flat would literally be too much for an extended period. These would hurt and the lower back would tighten up as it couldn't really relax. To help with that, I put a pillow or two under my lower legs which allowed everything to relax. The idea was sort of like the one chair drawing above, but not so extreme.
2012-12-19 8:20 AM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

the fact that you can lie flat on your back after the break is enviable (at least by me) I had to sleep in a recliner for a couple of weeks.

 

You could try one of those "pillow" loungers. That's what I ended up doing.

Actually who am I kidding, I didn't sleep much until I got used to my plate.

Good luck on your recovery!

2012-12-19 8:51 AM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Expert
2373
20001001001002525
Floriduh
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
I had same problem with an AC separation a couple of months ago.  1)  At the time it sucked, but it did get better; 2)  I got a trainer and haven't been on the road (except to run) since.
2012-12-19 12:01 PM
in reply to: #4539139


29
25
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar

Add me to the recliner list.  I'm normally a side or stomach sleeper and I just couldn't do it with the broken collar bone.

I ended up sleeping in the recliner for quite a while.

2012-12-19 8:28 PM
in reply to: #4539139

User image

Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar
rungirl222 - 2012-12-17 10:53 PM

I broke my collar bone a little over a week ago cycling and as a result I am having to sleep on my back. I have NEVER been a back sleeper and I am dying! I am getting extremelyBad lower back spasms in the night now. I have gotten stable enough to sleep on one side with the help of a body pillow but only for a little bit before I'm u comfortable again.Any suggestions on how to relief this pain? I pretty sure it's just muscle related because my back is fine all the rest of the time I have even been able to prob myself on a spin bike and even a little power walking and no pain!


When I have had to sleep on my back, I put pillows under my knees. So it allows my legs to bend and my back flattens against the mattress.

I'm a side sleeper and sleeping on my back sucks. But pillows under the knees helps a lot.

I hope you heal up soon!



Edited by KSH 2012-12-19 8:28 PM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Back pain from sleeping on back because of broken collar Rss Feed