Sleeping on the stomach and neck pain go together like peanut butter and jelly. Neck pain is more common due to the increase in forward head posture; looking down at a device or working on a lap top for hours. Add a day full of pressure on the neck to a night full of awkward and irregular neck postures and there’s going to be some problems.
Although stomach sleeping to some may “feel better”, what’s actually happening is the body adapting to a bad habit. The body finds it’s best healing when it can fully relax, in a neutral position and in straight alignment.
- Irregular neck and spinal posture
- Can cause neck and back pain
- Can cause muscle stiffness and aches
- Blocking the body from going into a full REM cycle
- Putting weight and strain on the spine
** Expecting mothers need to be very careful not to sleep on their stomach and put pressure on the baby. This can effect the child’s growth and health.
- Pillow Support – Place pillows under the knees, in between arms and use a pillow fit for your neck
- Block – If you have the tendency to want to roll, place a tennis ball next to your stomach to keep from rolling onto it
- Meditate – While laying on your back or side, listen to a guided meditation to help you relax and fall asleep in an unfamiliar posture
- Counteract – Strengthen your neck by doing neck exercises, wall stands and regular Chiropractic Care.
- Correct – As Dr. Harris says,” There’s a lot we can do in our office for pain. But if the patient doesn’t change what they do at home or at work that causes the pain, than the condition will continue to get in the way of their health.”
For long term health, it’s important to correct what we do in our daily activities especially how we sleep. This will make other efforts, such as Chiropractic treatment, more successful and make for a more restorative night’s sleep.