How to lie down after spine surgery (personal experiences)

07.12.2022.

Generally speaking, in the first few days after spine surgery you will find it difficult to do normal activities like walking, sitting, showering and sleeping. I know this very well, I underwent spine surgery and recovered after.

I have previously written about other daily activities during recovery after spine surgery. In this text, you will learn how to properly lie down and get out of bed, how to lie down after spine surgery and the types of pillows that exist.

In the same way, details such as organization and preparation of the apartment can help you in your recovery. I've already written about that.

But let's get back to the topic of this text.

Each person prefers their own position for the most comfortable sleep.

If you're wondering which position is best for recovery after surgery, that position is sleeping on your back. This sleeping position offers the greatest support and protection to the spine during sleep.

Besides sleeping on your back, you can try sleeping on your side.

It is recommended to avoid sleeping on your stomach. There are chances that by sleeping on your stomach you will unknowingly cause damage to the operated part of the spine.

If you lie down for a long time, try to change your position at least every 2 hours (if you lie on your back, turn your whole body to your side and vice versa).

The role and types of sleeping pillows

The main role of the pillow is comfort and support for your spine to keep it in a neutral position when lying down and sleeping.

It is recommended that you get one of the anatomical pillows and find the one that suits you best considering your height. The hardness of the pillow is a personal choice, the pillow should be neither too soft nor too hard.

There is no one-size-fits-all pillow, every person is different.

Types of pillows and their purpose are as follows:

  • Cervical/Neck pillows, sometimes called orthopedic pillows, have a special shape. There is a higher area where the neck is supported and a lower area on the pillow where the head is supported. Orthopedic pillows are usually made of memory foam that is designed and shaped to fit the head, holding it in place. If you have had cervical spine surgery, i.e. the neck, chances are that this type of pillow will suit you.
    • Some people find these pillows more comfortable if they are turned the wrong way, so that the concave side faces down towards the mattress. These cushions tend to elicit strong reactions, with some people raving about the team's performance, while others find them awkward and uncomfortable.
  • Feather pillows can be easily shaped to provide support where needed. These pillows can be useful for those who frequently change positions while sleeping.

Whichever pillow you choose, it should be flexible enough to move with your body. The body should not adapt to the pillow.

Okay. Now we move on to lying / sleeping. Recovery after spine surgery is complex and you should approach each stage carefully and most importantly - go step by step. It's the same with sleep.

First of all, you need to master the technique of getting in and out of bed, and only then just sleeping. All of that is explained in this text, just keep reading.

How to properly lie on the bed (getting into bed)

1. Turn your back to the side of the bed where you intend to lie.

2. Bend your knees slightly and rest your butt on the edge of the bed. With the help of your hands, move more towards the middle of the bed. Optionally, place a pillow between your knees and gently press it.

3. If you plan to lie on your right side, rest your left hand on the edge of the bed and place your right hand on your chest.

4. Slowly, leaning on your left arm, lie on the right side of your body while at the same time raise your legs parallel to the bed, keeping your spine in a neutral position.

5. After lying down, roll your whole body into a lying position on your back.

If you have had surgery on the cervical spine, when lying down in bed, if you use your left hand to support yourself and lower yourself into a lying position, you can use your right hand to help support your head when lying down and standing up if you have neck pain from the operation.

3 Lying positions after spine surgery

Okay, now that we've covered the lying down technique, it's time to consider lying positions after spine surgery. Again, the position on the back is the best, but if for any reason it is not possible for you, consider other sleeping positions after spine surgery.

1. Sleeping on the back

When it comes to sleeping, the best way to reduce pain and the risk of developing complications after surgery is to sleep on your back with an extra pillow placed under your knees.

This gives your spine much-needed support, which can ease your pain after surgery.

It is also important to keep your hands at your sides, if possible. Having your hands under or over your neck or head can put pressure on your shoulders and neck, causing damage.

If you have had cervical spine surgery, you may need to wear a collar or use an orthopedic pillow to reduce excessive neck movement.

2. Side sleeping

If you can't sleep on your back, try sleeping on your side. For sleeping on your side, it is recommended to have a higher anatomical pillow so that the spine is in a neutral position during sleep.

Place a support pillow between the knees to help reduce pressure on the spine. When turning in bed, you try to “roll” into the new position so that your whole body rotates, not just your torso, to prevent twisting of the spine. Twisting exposes your spine to injury and damage. 

3. Sleeping on the stomach

Although stomach sleeping is usually not allowed and recommended for patients recovering from spine surgery, if you have chronic pain and can't find a way to fall asleep other than sleeping on your stomach, consider the following:

  • You will need two pillows for extra support.
  • Your neck will become vulnerable to damage no matter what you do to relieve your back pain.
  • For stomach sleepers, it is important to place one pillow under the pelvis/hips and the other, flatter, under the chest. This will help to lift your neck to reduce strain and reduce pressure on your lower back.

It is recommended that you check with your doctor whether sleeping on your stomach is allowed in view of your surgery.

Those were the 3 ways to lie down after spine surgery, and now it's time to get up from the lying position.

Here are tips for that.

How to get up from a lying position properly (getting out of bed)

1. From a lying position on your back, bend your legs at the knees and pull your feet towards your buttocks. Help yourself further by placing a pillow between your legs and gently pressing it with your knees.

2. With your arm, shoulder, hip and knees, i.e. your whole body, slowly turn towards the side of the bed where you want to get up without twisting your spine. It is important to keep the spine in a safe and neutral position.

3. After you have turned towards the edge of the bed, slowly lower your legs over the edge of the bed, and at the same time straighten the upper part of your body with the help of your hands into a sitting position.

4. When moving to a sitting position, wait 10-15 seconds before standing up to reduce possible dizziness due to the change of position, and to avoid falling and injuring yourself.

5. Remove the pillow between your knees and stand up using power from your legs, not your back.

Use a walker to help you walk if you have agreed to do so with your doctor.

You can find this and a bunch of other texts with advice about recovery after spine surgery in the MySpine application, which I developed in collaboration with a team of doctors who take care of patients who have undergone spine surgery on a daily basis.

We wish you a fast and successful recovery!

Download and try it for free