If you have already been diagnosed with a more serious medical condition that is causing your aches and pains, participating in physical therapy treatments may help ease your discomfort. If you haven’t been diagnosed with an underlying condition to explain your pain, but you are still experiencing persistent discomfort, it is important to consult with your primary physician as soon as possible. Physical therapy is a common and effective treatment plan for pain relief that most doctors will suggest. Below are a few of the most common ailments known to cause daily aches and pains that can be successfully relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:

Joint tissues can become irritated from overuse throughout the day – sometimes without you even realizing it. During your sleeping hours, you are almost completely immobile, which can cause any affected tissues to become inflamed. This can further aggravate the irritation, thus causing stiff and achy joints by the time you wake up in the morning.

If you or your significant is keeping the other awake at night from sawing logs, try out this tip to silence the snoring!

There are pros and cons to sleeping on your left side versus your right side. If you’re on your left side all night, you can put strain on your liver and lungs, but being on your right side can make heartburn worse. 

Cross Legged Hip Stretch: Lay on your back with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Bring one foot up to cross over your opposite knee as if you were crossing your legs while sitting. This stretches the hips and lower back, targeting muscles that commonly become restricted with prolonged periods of sitting or walking, or in this case laying down.

Sleeping on your back or your side are the best positions to avoid excessive strain on your spine and decrease the risk of shoulder or cervical (neck) joint impingement. This will help you to relax and get even deeper sleep.

If you’re a side sleeper, make sure your pillow is not too tall or too short. To do this, stand in front of a mirror with good posture and hold your pillow pressed up against the side of your head.  

A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack and fit it specifically to you. Children and adults come in all shapes and sizes, and some have physical limitations that require special adaptations.

Having multiple compartments in your backpack helps distribute the weight of the load evenly across your back. It will also allow the backpack to sit properly and not slide and shift around, like it would with an uneven amount of weight.