Health Benefits of a Proper Sleeping Posture

The average person will spend around 30 years of their life in bed. If just sitting or walking around at work for a couple of hours can make you stiff, achy and uncomfortable; then, of course, the posture you adopt while sleeping those precious 6 to 8 hours can definitively have an impact on your daily life.

No matter which position you prefer, whether you like sleeping on your side or on your belly since you’ll be holding the pose of your choice for more than a couple of hours, it will affect the way your body feels when you wake up. More importantly, once you know the benefits of the following sleeping postures, you can switch it up every once in a while when you’re looking for a particular sort of relief. See the effects for yourself!

If you’re trying to reduce your (or your partner’s) snoring, the best way would be to avoid sleeping on your back; good options include laying face down with your arms vertically placed under your pillow, this will in turn provide support for your head (Freefall Position), sleeping on your side is also recommendable but can lead to waking up sore if you have arthritis.

For upper back pain, sleeping on your side is a good idea as well. If you choose this position, try placing a small pillow or cushion between your knees to keep your hip bones aligned with your spine. Some studies also recommend what is known as the “starfish position”, which consists of laying on your back with your arms beside your head; this has been found to reduce shoulder pain in some people.

Finally, for the lower back, as with snoring, it is also recommended to avoid sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back can even increase back pain and aggravate other conditions, such as sleep apnea and snoring. The most effective method to avoid lower back pain would be to sleep on your side or even in a fetal position (sleeping with your legs bent and curled towards your torso), you can also place a pillow or cushion between your legs if this position makes your hip area ache in the morning. If you must sleep on your back, placing a pillow under your knees can help reduce the stress placed on your back.

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119