HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Can a herniated disc be made worse by sleeping on your back?

7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Robert Dudley answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

No: Herniated discs are very common and are not made worse by sleeping on your back.

Answered 7/5/2012

6.5k views

Thank

No: Usually, sleeping on one's back will not worsen the disc herniation, however, it can exacerbate the pain depending upon the location of the hernation.

Dr Hodge and 4 doctors agreed

Answered 10/3/2016

6.5k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

What is the best way to sleep when u have degenerative disc. On ur back or belly or on ur side. And should I put a pillow under my back or my foot?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I have L5-S1 para central disc protrusion 6.1 mm. My leg pain gets worse in winters or sleeping in A.C! Why does it happen. How may i avoid it ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My mri came back as severe degenerative discs could it be from all those years of sleeping on my stomach ? Pinched nerve bothering me down to my hand?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

How do I sleep to fix forward head posture? However i'm sleeping is making it worse or is the cause. On my back? On the floor? On my stomach? How?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Upper back pain for a few months, nothing helping, progressive worsening, suddenly too painful to sleep laying down and wakes me up, what should I do?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I have a slight protrusion of a cervical spine disk. Sudden pain in the shoulder area, top, and back. Can the protrusion get worse suddenly for no known reason? Trouble turning my head, trouble sleeping. Can raise my arm without much trouble?
I have a herniated disc; can I sleep on the couch or is that bad?
What is the best position to sleep in when u have degenerative disc in the lower back. And does it gets better over time?
C5 disc has broad-based herniation. Should i sleep with a pillow? I tend to be a side sleeper and rarely sleep on my back.
Been havin headaches on 1 side during day.Goes away when i sleep. comes back late afternoon. Hav cervical disc prob. Wat could be the issue?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.