One of the first things that we talk about in the office with everybody is how they sleep every night. This is because you spend one third of your life sleeping. If you’re not sleeping correctly, you could be potentially causing your treatments to become undone plus, it could be the source of your problem.
Now Sleeping on your stomach maybe your favourite way of sleeping, but it can have 5 potential drawbacks which I’m going to outline now:
- Neck and spinal alignment:
When you sleep on your stomach, you typically have to turn your head to one side to breathe. This can cause strain on your neck and spine, leading to discomfort and potential misalignment. Maintaining a neutral spine alignment during sleep is generally considered better for your overall posture and spinal health. It is possibly one of the most common reasons why people get neck pain.
- Increased pressure on organs:
Sleeping on your stomach can exert pressure on your internal organs, including your lungs and digestive system. This pressure can potentially restrict breathing and cause discomfort, especially if you have pre-existing respiratory or digestive issues.
- Strain on muscles and joints:
Sleeping in the prone position can strain your muscles and joints, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. The prolonged twisted pressure on these areas can lead to muscle imbalances, aches, and pains all over the spine.
- Potential for numbness and tingling:
Stomach sleeping may compress nerves in certain areas of your body, resulting in numbness, tingling, or even a pins-and-needles sensation upon waking up. This is especially common in the arms, as you may unconsciously place pressure on your brachial plexus…
While your pins and needles might disappear quickly if you do it every single night, it is surely to create a more permanent problem.
- Impact on breathing:
If you snore or have sleep apnoea, sleeping on your stomach can exacerbate these issues. It may restrict your airway and make it more difficult to breathe, potentially leading to disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue.
While some people naturally find comfort in sleeping on their stomach, it is generally recommended to try alternative sleep positions that offer better support and alignment. The most commonly recommended sleep positions are sleeping on your back (supine) or your side (either right or left 50% each side).
However, it’s important to note that people’s biggest excuse for sleeping on their stomach is that it feels comfortable. And if crooked feels comfortable than you have an underlying problem. If this is a case, highly recommend you come in for an assessment to find out what your problem is before it gets to the point where you begin to have serious symptoms, or we can’t help you.
Additionally, the quality of your mattress and pillow contribute to the sleep quality or problems. Here at Robina Chiropractic Wellness Centre, we assess your pillow and sleep position to improve your quality of sleep.
So, remember don’t sleep on your stomach!