Dr. Jason Loth, co-founder of SpineAlign, is well known for his expertise and ability to help people achieve restorative sleep. While making recommendations for a better night’s rest, he understands the nuance that every person is different. While there is a general rule to follow for wellness improvements, ultimately it needs to be adjusted to what suits the individual.
This is often the case for sleep position. Some people sleep on their side, others sleep on their back, and some are a combination of both. Dr. Loth recommends that people do not sleep on their stomach because in that position your neck and spine are not in a neutral position. This may put pressure on nerves and cause head and neck pain, numbness, and tingling.
Changing Your Sleep Position
If you are a stomach sleeper, is it easy to change your sleep position? Simply put, no. We are creatures of habit, and changing your sleep posture, especially if you have been doing it for several years is not easy. It can be a challenge to go from one position to the other, but with some patience the results can be well worth it. Dramatic improvements can be realized with better sleep quality and overall health.
Pick the Right Pillow
The first challenge is that if you default to a stomach position while you are unconscious, one of the best things that you can do is to use an adjustable pillow that ensures that your head and neck are in proper alignment. The SpineAlign Pillow, which was created by Dr. Loth, promotes natural head and neck alignment. It is fully adjustable and customizable for a proper fit. In fact, it is the only patented fully adjustable pillow on the market. It also promotes airflow throughout the night for breathability and will be comfortable for both back and side sleepers.
Mattresses Matter
The choice a person makes about which mattress to use can be critical to helping sleep in the proper position. As we mentioned in a previous blog post, back-sleepers usually prefer a firmer mattress. Side-sleepers often like a medium mattress which can provide a bit of cushioning to relieve any extra pressure on shoulders and joints. The SpineAlign Luxury Hybrid Mattress has been carefully engineered for perfect alignment and perfect sleep. It helps you achieve sleep in its most natural state, which might help reduce back pain and promote deeper sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed.
Picking A Position
If your sleep position is not negatively affecting the quality of your sleep, then you likely have not gotten this far down into the blog post! Truly, there is no reason to alter your sleep position if you experience good quality sleep each night. Remember, there are many factors that can impact the way you sleep. When making a change, it is a good idea to consult your doctor to get further advice. Here are a few guidelines about sleep issues and where to start in terms of changing your position.
- If you snore or have sleep-apnea, consider side sleeping
- Back sleeping helps those with back and shoulder pain
- Sleeping on your left side can help if you experience heartburn
- Those without a specific issue and sleep on their stomach might want to consider sleeping on their sides because of better spinal alignment
Once you’ve found the ideal sleep position, you’ll have to work to keep it. Stay positive and know that once your sleep is a restorative sleep, your overall health can improve and the way you perform throughout the day will be noticeably better.
