Stomach Position
Sleeping on your stomach can help decrease your chances of snoring but can cause harm to your body and health. Sleeping in this position can cause neck pain and nerve issues. It also puts a strain on your spine and decreases your blood flow. When you sleep on your stomach, your torso sinks deeper into the mattress and can cause your back to arch. This stretches your spine out of its neutral alignment. When your spine is not aligned properly, you could experience stress and strain which may lead to aches in pains.
Back Position
Sleeping on your back is a better position for your body than sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping in this position is the second most common sleeping position. Sleeping flat on your back enables your spine to stay more neutral and prevents back shoulder and neck pain. Elevating your head with a pillow can help with acid reflux, but it can exacerbate snoring.
Side Position
Most people sleep in the side position and find it to be the most comfortable. This position is recommended by physicians and sleep specialists because it is the best for your body. The spine can remain elongated and neutral while on your side and helps prevent neck, back, and shoulder pain. This can also help decrease snoring and sleep apnea. This position can cause some hip and knee pain, to help make this better you can use a pillow or blanket between your knees to help ease the pressure on your hips.
There are many ways to still sleep in these positions and still support your spine. If you are a stomach sleeper, the best way to help keep your spine aligned is by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen area. This will help reduce the strain on your back and prevent any back pain from accruing. If you are a back sleeper you will want to place a pillow under your knees to help maintain the normal curve of your lower back. This will help relieve some pressure off of your spine and give your back the arch and support it needs. For those of you who sleep on your side, the best thing to do is to have a pillow placed between your legs to make sure that you don’t wake up with hip aches and pains. Placing a pillow between your legs will keep your body naturally aligned and support your spine. These tips and tricks on pillow placement can help make any sleeping position better and reduce your chances of waking up sore.