Want Fewer Morning Aches? : Shared by Lou Mendez

 

Want Fewer Morning Aches? You Might Need to Change the Way You Sleep

By Andee Tagle — NPR
Click here for the article: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/02/nx-s1-5435668/sleep-body-pain-minimize-morning-aches-soreness

Summary
Morning aches and stiffness are often caused by hours of poor sleep posture, say medical experts. Nurse practitioner Ellen Wermter advises sleeping in alignment with the body’s natural curvature—“sleep like you stand”—to prevent muscle tension, inflammation and pain. Back sleepers find this easiest, but side and stomach sleepers may need to adjust pillows or retrain their sleep habits. Choosing the right pillow height (“loft”) and supporting gaps with smaller pillows or rolled blankets can help maintain neutral spine alignment. Replacing pillows and mattresses regularly, and using gentle pain relief or heat/ice for residual soreness, can also reduce morning discomfort.

Quotes
“Your soft tissue is going to want to sag into those gaps, and the muscles tense to make up for that.” — Ellen Wermter, Restorative Sleep Medicine

“The best defense against an achy neck or back in the morning is to sleep just like you stand.” — Ellen Wermter

“A good orthopedic pillow designed to support the curvature of the neck can minimize your risk of neck pain down the line.” — Dr. Fabian Morales

“Don’t underestimate the power of a hot shower. It can go a long way in calming down those unhappy muscles.” — Dr. Charla Fischer