How to adapt your bedroom when living with CRPS and chronic pain

Discover how you can improve your sleep, reduce pain and make the nights more comfortable with these 8 bedroom aids

By Fiona Forman

The night can feel very long when you live with a chronic pain condition like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Allodynia (when light touch, pressure or temperature changes trigger pain) can make falling and staying asleep more difficult, and subsequently, this sleep disturbance can make pain sensitivity worse the next day – it’s a vicious cycle. The term ‘painsomnia’ is often used by people with chronic pain who struggle to sleep. It’s often more difficult to deal with pain at night as there are no other distractions, so the pain can feel more intense and harder to cope with. You may also worry about how much sleep you’re going to get, and how it will affect you the next day  – we’ve all watched the clock ticking by with dismay, as we know the longer it goes on, the harder it is to get to sleep.

When you can’t sleep because of pain, there are aids and equipment you can add to your bedroom that may help. They are designed to make sleeping more comfortable, reduce pain, and help you to get in and out of bed or sit up.

You may worry about how much sleep you’re going to get, and how it will affect you the next day

1. Height-adjustable bed cradle – keep bedding off painful limbs

A bed cradle fits onto the side, or end, of the bed to lift the duvet or sheets off your affected body part. It’s ideal for painful legs and feet, keeping your torso warm without the duvet touching your bottom half.

A bed cradle also improves recovery from painful sores or skin lesions by preventing bed linen from sticking to the skin and allowing air to circulate.

2. Pressure-relieving mattress – improve comfort during long stays in bed

The height of the bed cradle can be adjusted to your particular needs.

If CRPS or chronic pain means you spend a lot of time in bed, it’s well worth investing in a pressure-relieving mattress. These are designed to distribute your body weight more evenly to maximise comfort, reduce pressure points on your body, and help prevent painful ulcers.

3. Bed rails – support for getting in and out of bed safely

Bed rails will usually slide under the mattress and provide sturdy support for getting in and out of bed. They reduce the risk of falling and help when changing positions.

Some bed rails have reading lights, which are useful if you’re getting up in the night. They can also have handy storage pockets for things like tissues, medical supplies, and glasses so you have essentials close to hand and keep your bedside table tidy.

4. Body pillow – relief for whole body aches

A body pillow offers full body support, making sleeping more comfortable, relieving aches and pains, and improving blood circulation.

You can also get cooling pillows that help to reduce overheating and night sweats.

5. Leg and knee pillows – reduce swelling and restless legs at night

If you have problems with your lower limbs, leg elevating support pillows help to ease pain, reduce swelling, and improve circulation.

A knee pillow is ideal for side sleepers, supporting better body alignment and helping with back ache and restless legs.

6. Wedge pillow – versatile support when resting

Wedge pillows are so versatile and can be used in many different positions. Use to provide support when you’re sitting up in bed reading; place under your back to alleviate back and neck pain; or use to elevate your legs or feet.

7. Bed ladder – help with sitting up and lying down

If you find changing position from lying down to sitting up difficult or painful, a bed ladder is a simple but effective solution. It ties securely to the end of the bed and the evenly spaced handholds allow you to pull yourself up into a sitting position.

8. Tablet holder – take the strain off wrists and hands

A tablet holder clips onto your headboard, allowing you to watch your favourite programme or films hands-free. This can reduce strain on your wrists and arms if holding a device is painful.

Please do bear in mind that screen time may affect your sleep!

These aids, combined with a relaxing bedtime ritual and a consistent sleep schedule, can help improve sleep, leaving you feeling more refreshed and able to manage the day-to-day challenges of CRPS and chronic pain.

Have we missed a bedroom aid that improves your rest? Please get in touch and share it with us. For more sleep advice, read our 14 top tips for sleeping better when you have CRPS.

To make using the bathroom safer and more comfortable when you are living with CRPS, please read the advice from a registered nurse and her recommended bathroom aids.