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By Medicover Hospitals / 26 September 2021
The best sleeping position is not a one-size solution. People are sleeping in various ways, after all. Each person has different needs and is comfortable in a different sleeping position. Consider more than just comfort to find the best sleeping position for you. Different sleeping positions have various benefits. If you’re struggling with pain or other health problems, you might need to change your sleeping position to manage it. And, while it may not be something you can do in one night, it may be worth a try.
Taking some time to gradually train yourself to sleep in a new position could be a secret to improving the quality of your sleep. However, if this is something you’re not comfortable with, don’t worry about it. You can also try to change your favorite sleep position to make sure you get the most out of it. Every single person is different. What’s important is that you do what works for your body and the sleep you require.
Poor sleeping conditions could even be the underlying cause of lower back pain. It’s because some positions can place unnecessary pressure on the neck, hips, and back.
Lying on the back is generally known to be the highest sleeping position for a healthy back. This position helps distribute weight to the full length of the body’s most important surface. It also minimizes pressure points and ensures proper alignment of the head, neck, and spine. Placing a small pillow under the knees will provide extra support and help to maintain the natural curve of the spine.
Although lying on the side is a popular and comfortable sleeping position, the spine can be pulled out of position. This could strain the lower back. It’s easy to fix this. Anyone who sleeps on their side can just place a firm pillow between their knees. This raises the upper leg, restoring the natural alignment of the hips, pelvis, and spine.
For persons with herniated disks, taking a curled fetal position may bring relief during the night. That’s because lying on the side with the knees in the chest reduces the bending of the spine and helps to open up the joints.
Lying in front of the body is generally considered to be the worst sleeping posture. However, for those struggling to sleep in another position, putting a thin pillow under the stomach and hips can help improve the alignment of the spine. Sleeping on the front may also benefit people with herniated disk disease or degenerative disk disease.
Another reason that sleeping on the front is considered bad as the head is turned on to one side only. This twists the spine and puts additional stress on the neck, shoulders, and back. Try lying face down to avoid this. A small but firm pillow or even a tightly rolled towel can be used to prop up the forehead, allowing room to breathe. This should be done in addition to the use of a pillow under the stomach.
Sleeping in a reclined position may benefit lower back pain, especially in people with isthmic spondylolisthesis. If significant relief is found from resting in a reclining chair, it may be wise to invest in an adjustable bed which can be positioned accordingly.
Back pain can cause significant sleep disturbances. People should avoid sleeping late to compensate for sleep loss overnight. Instead, they should try to keep a regular schedule consistent with bedtime and wake-up times. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours a day.Some of the sleep hygiene tips include:
Sleeping on the side is recommended as the best place to sleep during pregnancy. Research shows that from 20 weeks on, the left side position can have a positive effect on the flow of blood to the fetus. Most women report spending a lot of time sleeping flat on the back during pregnancy, but this position is not recommended as it may be a risk factor for stillbirth after 28 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the studies suggest that the increased need for sleep during pregnancy. The high levels of these hormones required to maintain pregnancy also cause drowsiness. At the same time, it is very common for pregnant women to experience back pain, heartburn, nausea, and excessive night urination, all of which may interfere with sleep. In addition, pregnancy increases the risk of sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep disorders.
Most adults stay in bed without giving a second thought to how they’re located. It is such a routine habit that many do not consider the health effects of sleeping in one way or another. But sleep researchers and doctors say our sleeping position is important. Sleeping on your stomach, back or side can make a difference in snoring, sleep apnea, neck and back pain, and other medical conditions.
Article Context:
- What Is The Best Sleeping Position?
- Various Sleeping Positions
- Sleeping Hygiene
- Best Sleeping Position During Pregnancy
- How does Sleeping Position Affect Your Health?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Sleeping Position?
Various Sleeping Positions
Sleeping on The Back With Knee Support
Sleeping on The Side With A Pillow Between The Knees
Sleeping in The Fatal Position
Sleeping on The Front With a Pillow Under The Stomach
Sleeping On The Front With The Fead Face Down
Sleeping On The Back In A Reclined Position
Sleeping Hygiene
- Avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, at night
- Trying to avoid heavy exercise in the hours leading to bedtime
- Winding down prior to actual bedtime by reading, taking a warm bath, listening to relaxing music, or doing a gentle yoga session
- Make the bedroom a relaxing environment by dimming the lights and removing distractions, such as computers and TVs.
Best Sleeping Position During Pregnancy
How Does Sleeping Position Affect Your Health?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Resting on your side, with your back mostly straight, can help to reduce sleep apnea. It can also cause pain in the neck and back since your spine stays aligned.
Sleeping on your stomach can directly put pressure on the nerves and can also cause numbness, tingling, and nerve pain.
Poor sleeping positions could even put pressure on the spine, causing your natural curve to flatten. This can also cause back strain and unpleasant pressure on your joints.
Sleeping on your left side is assumed to have the greatest benefit to your general health. In this situation, your organs are freer to get rid of toxins while you’re asleep. Although both sides are said to be best for sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief.
To get relief from the neck pain try to sleep on the back slightly reclined and on the back with a pillow under the knees.
Sleeping on the left side is the best sleeping position for hypertension because it relieves blood pressure on blood vessels that return blood to the heart.
You can sleep in any position you like in the first trimester, but it’s wise to start practicing side sleeping. A wealth of research shows that sleeping on the left side21 is the best sleeping position for you and the fetus in later pregnancy.
Lying on the stomach during pregnancy is unlikely to be very comfortable. More importantly, lying on your stomach should be avoided because it can put additional pressure on the fetus and reduce blood flow.
Stomach sleeping should be avoided once a person reaches about 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy.
