Back pain after sleeping on the couch

Question

This is not a serious medical condition, but I'm curious... why my back aches after sleeping on the couch? What is the "mechanism" that causes that? Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

My opinion is that the mechanism of it is that the ligaments and supportive muscles of the back get into a position of pulling stress on them due to the fact that the couch is not supporting the back as it should.  Couches are notoriously too soft and your back has to arch and dip too much as you lay on it.  After hours of this position, even if you turn, it causes strain on the soft tissues, and the spine actually gets misaligned.   Don't sleep on a couch.  Get a good medium firm mattress.

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