Updated 29/08/2023
The Importance of Sleep Position For Good Posture
Maintaining poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain in Leeds, as well as several other muscle pain related issues. Today, much focus has been placed on the importance of maintaining good posture and how it relates to your overall back and spine health. In fact, the use of things such as waist and back support belts, standing desks, and ergonomic chairs, have become common practice in the workplace to prevent posture related injury.
But did you know that how you sleep and/or rest could also cause a poor posture related injury? It’s true – in fact, the position that we sleep in can cause a laundry list of muscular problems that can negatively impact virtually any part of the body.
Side is good, back is better
When you sleep, it is best that you choose to lay in a position that will maintain the curvature of your lower back. The best way to achieve this is by lying flat on your back ( you can also place a pillow under your knees). If you find lying on your back to be too uncomfortable, you can also lay on either side with your knees slightly bent.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach
Sleeping on your stomach is absolutely the worst position to sleep in. Sleeping on your stomach offers virtually zero benefits in regards to good back and spine health. This is because it does not support the natural curvature of the spine. What it does do however is flatten, and stress, the spine, causing damaging strain to the neck, as well as the mid and lower back. In some cases, this can even lead to an uncomfortable numbing or tingling sensation that runs down the spine.
If you’re dealing with back or spine pain and discomfort associated with poor sleep position, you can try wrapping a thick towel or sheet around your waist or using a peanut cushion or lumbar roll while you sleep to help you rest more comfortably. Deep tissue massage in Leeds could also be beneficial for relieving back pain relating to poor sleep posture.
Best mattress for good sleep posture
While the thought of sleeping on a soft cosy bed sounds appealing, it’s not very appealing to your spinal health. If you want to maintain a good sleep posture, you will need to have a mattress that is firm enough to offer the best support for the back, neck and spine. If the mattress that you are currently using is soft or saggy, you may want to try placing a flat board under your mattress to give added support. You can also lie your mattress directly on the floor if you do not have a board on hand. If you have been using a soft mattress for a long time, you may find using a firm mattress to be uncomfortable initially. If this is the case, try placing a thin memory foam pad, or eggshell, on top of your mattress while you get used to it.
Whether your back pain in Leeds is caused by sleep or not, getting the right sleep position, along with a deep tissue massage or Sports massage in Leeds could go a long way to spinal comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can my sleep position affect my sleep quality?
A: Yes, your sleep position can significantly impact your sleep quality. The right sleep position can promote better breathing, spinal alignment, and overall comfort.
Q: Is there a perfect sleep position for everyone?
A: The perfect sleep position varies from person to person. It depends on factors such as your health conditions, comfort level, and preferences.
Q: Can changing my sleep position help with snoring?
A: Yes, changing your sleep position can sometimes alleviate snoring. For example, side sleeping can help keep your airway open, reducing the likelihood of snoring.
Q: Is it possible to change my habitual sleep position?
A: While changing your habitual sleep position might take some time, it’s definitely possible with patience and practice. Using supportive pillows and adjusting your sleep environment can help ease the transition.
Q: Can sleep position affect sleep disorders like sleep apnea?
A: Absolutely. Sleep position plays a role in sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Adjusting your sleep position might alleviate symptoms and improve your breathing during sleep.
Q: Is there specific sleep positions to avoid during pregnancy?
A: Yes, sleeping on your back during pregnancy is generally discouraged, especially in the later stages. The best sleep positions during pregnancy are usually side sleeping, preferably on the left side, as it improves circulation to the foetus.
