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Waking up with back or neck pain? Your sleep position might be the culprit! In this episode, Dr. Schulman shares the best sleeping positions, pillow setups, and small changes that can help you wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free.
Chiropractic Fitness
8316 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
704-543-7206
Hey everyone, welcome back to Back to Fitness! I’m Dr. Craig Schulman, and today we’re talking about something we all do every night—sleep. But here’s the catch—if you’re waking up stiff, sore, or with nagging back pain, your sleep position might be the reason.
A good night’s sleep should heal your body, not make it worse. So let’s talk about the best sleeping positions for spine health, the worst ones you should avoid, and some simple tricks to improve your sleep posture tonight.
Let’s start with the best positions:
Number one is Sleeping on Your Back.
This is by far the best for spinal alignment because your weight is evenly distributed.
To make it even better, place a small pillow under your knees—this reduces pressure on your lower back and keeps your spine in a neutral position.
The second is Side Sleeping, ideally with a Pillow Between Your Knees!
This is a great option, but it’s important to keep your spine aligned.
The trick? Put a pillow between your knees. This stops your top leg from pulling your spine into a twist, reducing pressure on your lower back and hips.
If you sleep on your side often, try switching sides regularly to prevent muscle imbalances.
Now, let’s talk about the worst sleep position: Stomach Sleeping.
This is the worst for your spine because it forces your neck into an awkward twist and puts strain on your lower back.
If you’re a stomach sleeper and can’t break the habit, try placing a thin pillow under your hips and using a flat pillow or no pillow for your head.
Pillow height matters. Your pillow should support your neck without tilting your head too high or too low.
A firm mattress is usually better. A sagging mattress can throw your spine out of alignment, so if yours is too soft, consider adding a mattress topper or switching to a firmer option.
Lastly, you need to Stretch in the morning. If you wake up stiff, try some gentle stretches to get your spine moving.
Your sleep posture matters just as much as your daytime posture! Making these small adjustments can help you wake up pain-free and ready to take on the day.
Need help with back pain or stiffness? Visit Chiropractic Fitness in Charlotte, NC! Call us or check out our website in the description. Sleep well, and I’ll see you next time!
