These are only the most general sleeping positions. In addition, because you can’t breathe through your pillow, your head is forced to the side, twisting your neck. This position doesn’t support spine alignment and puts pressure on your joints. It also does not evenly distribute weight throughout your body and can lead you to waking up in the morning with back pain. This does not provide spine alignment for the shoulders and neck.

Not So Great: On your side, with your legs curled up towards the chest. Your shoulders should not be on the pillow. It should only be thick enough to create a straight line from your head and neck down through your spine. Still pay attention to the pillow under your head. Putting a thin pillow between your legs can help align your spine, hips, and pelvis. This is a great alternative to sleeping on your back, especially if you’re prone to snoring. Runner-Up: On your side, with your legs stretched. Do note, though, that this sleeping position can cause some people to snore. Even better, a small cylindrical pillow in the crook of your neck supports your neck and keeps your head neutral on the mattress. Use a small pillow underneath the head and neck (not shoulders) to keep everything in alignment. Sleeping on your back evenly distributes weight throughout your body and avoids unnatural or unnecessary curves in the spine. Even things like having your hips/pelvis tilted one way can in turn twist your spine.īelow is a breakdown of the four most basic sleeping positions.

This starts with your head and neck and goes all the way down. Neutral means that your spine is straight. What can we do to fix it? In short, the way to ensure a happy spine is to keep it neutral. Most of us will wake up at some point in our lives with neck or back pain and oftentimes our sleeping position is the culprit. The position in which you sleep has a direct impact on your spine health. When it comes to back and neck pain, your body needs a little help from you to get things right. Our bodies are mending and rejuvenating so that when we wake up we feel refreshed and ready to take on the day. Your body doesn’t shut down when you sleep.

Should i sleep on my right or left side