

Let’s begin with the negative aspects: Sleeping on your back can cause lower back pain for some. This is referred to as the supine posture by sleep specialists. Back Sleeping Positionīack-sleeping has it’s benefits as well as it’s drawbacks. To help with changing the habit gradually especially for people who snore, you can try to sleep on your side with lots of pillows in front and behind yourself to act as a support. It can be difficult to stop the habit right away especially if you have snoring problems. The stomach sleeping position can also induce numbness, tingling, and nerve discomfort by putting pressure on the nerves. This might result in neck and back discomfort. When you sleep on your stomach, your neck and spine are not in a neutral posture. People who have sleep apnea tend to find sleeping on their stomach helps with their snoring problems as gravity helps with opening up the airway. According to some studies, the wrong sleep position may cause slower toxin outflow from your brain.Ĭontinue reading to understand how your sleeping habits may be affecting your health in a variety of ways.ĭo you sleep on top of your stomach? Many people choose this position as their preferred position for sleeping. It may also clog your lungs’ airways, causing issues like obstructive sleep apnea. Neck and back discomfort can be caused or aggravated by sleeping incorrectly. Getting your sleeping position perfect can make a major difference in how you feel in your daily life when you wake up. Keep doing what feels best unless recommended by a doctor, or if you are unsure of the best position for you contact us and we can assist you in finding the best sleeping experience.Best Position to Sleep for a Healthy Spineĭo you like to sleep on your back, side, or stomach? You might have a favorite sleeping position or switch it up from time to time. Otherwise, A person usually wakes up in the position their body is most comfortable sleeping in. If you have sleep apnea or snore excssively, sleeping on your stomach may be the best option. It requires the use of extra pillows to sleep in a more natural contoured position. Pros: Sleeping on your chest can be beneficial for people who have sleep apnea or who snore frequently because gravity pulls the tongue forward, keeping it from obstructing the airway.Ĭons: It flattens the natural curve of the spine, which can cause lower back pain and strains the neck. Front or stomach sleeping is regarded as the worst position, but has advantages. Sleeping with an arm behind the head can adversely affect muscles and nerves and reduce blood flow to the extremity, shoulder, and neck. The left side is also best for easing heartburn and acid reflux, and it keeps the airway open to help snoring and sleep apnea.Ĭons: Left side can put pressure on stomach and lungs, or can cause arm numbness. Pros: The left side is best during pregnancy it increases circulation and lessens pressure, which is good for mother and baby. Side sleeping is the most common at about 60%. Even though back sleeping is the most recommended, it doesn’t always result in the best quality of sleep. When this happens, the tongue sinks back into the throat and reduces air flow. It leads to fewer wrinkles in the long run because the face isn’t being pressed into your pillow.Ĭons: Sleep apnea, snoring, Congestive Heart Failure, and other medical conditions can be exacerbated by too much pressure on the lungs or a restricted airflow.

Pros: This option has the best positioning and support for spine and neck. Common Sleep Positions Sleeping on the back is the most recommended by doctors. To help you choose your optimum sleep position, we’ve made a list of the pros and cons of several common positions. It depends on what health conditions you may have or are looking to avoid and what feels most comfortable. Here’s our breakdown of each sleep position so you can decide which one works for you.Ĭhosing a sleep position is really a personal matter. Each sleep position (back, front, and side) has benefits and drawbacks. In short, the answer is not black-and-white. Is it true that one sleep position is really better than all the others? There are several different opinions about which sleep position is “best” for a good night’s sleep and overall health.
