Which Position Should You Sleep in?

By Victoria Meisinger

Sometimes it can take a while to find that perfect sleeping position where you can be comfortable and relaxed enough to fall asleep. However is that position actually good for you or is it doing more harm?

Here are three sleeping positions along with their pros and cons.

On Your Stomach

Many argue this is the most comfortable position to sleep in, although it’s probably the worst for your posture. Sleeping this way for long periods of time can very easily cause lower back pain. This is because throughout the night you are straightening your naturally curved spine. Neck problems are also common due to turning the head which, in turn, strains the neck. 

So sorry stomach sleepers, this position isn’t the best for you, although there are some pros as well. Sleeping on your front can actually prevent snoring, relieve sleep apnea, and is good for digestion.

On Your Back

Unlike sleeping on your stomach, this position can actually be very beneficial to your back. However, it does cause many other problems including an overall lower quality of sleep, snoring, and sleep apnea. Therefore, this position is probably not the most ideal, unless you’re trying to relieve back pain. There there is a bright side, however; sleeping with your face in the air instead of pressed against a pillow will make you less susceptible to wrinkles.

On Your Side

Side sleeping can also improve posture, however only if you keep your spine straight and not hunched over into the fetal position. It is also most commonly used, and arguably the most ideal, excluding again the fetal position. However the fetal position is recommended for the use of pregnant women as it relieves pressure on the lower back, while all side positions enhance circulation to the heart, decrease acid reflux, lessen snoring, and improve sleep apnea. However they do put a lot of pressure on internal organs, and if you like to sleep with your arm under your pillow, it may cause numbness and damage to your nerves and muscles.

Therefore, there isn’t one position that’s better than all the rest. They all have pros and cons. A good night’s rest is important, and if you'd like some direction and help on the matter, visit the chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic. Doctors there will be sure to set you straight.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fayetteville, N.C.