Why sleeping posture is important
Good sleep posture is absolutely critical for a healthy body, since we spend such long periods of time every day without moving.
While you sleep, your muscles and ligaments unwind and repair themselves. Stresses and tensions from the day should release with proper sleep posture, enabling you to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
Let’s look at how you can ensure your sleeping posture is perfect to reduce your neck or back pain.
Picking the right pillow
Your pillow should be comfortable and supportive of your necks natural curvature.
A pillow that is too high might force your neck into a posture that strains the muscles in your back, neck, and shoulders.
Pick a pillow that will keep your spine straight, in line with your chest and lower back.Alignment
Regardless of which position you choose to sleep in, make an effort to maintain your hips, shoulders, and ears in a straight line.
We recommend using an additional pillow to support your knees and maintain a neutral spine.
If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to relieve pressure on your spine and support the lower back’s natural curve.
If you sleep on your side, a firm pillow between your knees will prevent your upper leg from pulling your spine out of alignment and reduce stress on your hips and lower back. Pull your knees up slightly toward your chest. This helps to align your pelvis.
We do not recommend you sleep on your front. There is significant medical research to show that this is a position likely to destabilize your spine leading to neck and back pain.
In clinic we have some adjustable orthopedically shaped memory foam pillows available for you to buy.
