I know I am part of the minority, but I am a sleeper. I can fall asleep anywhere. I get a good 8/9 hours of sleep every night, and wake up ready to take on the world. This is why those 8am Saturday appts. are always the best ones to get!
Being that I sleep long, I know that I have to make sure I am positioned appropriately, or I will have hell to pay the next day. When we medical professionals give advice on sleeping positions, it is usually to get you into the most anatomical position.
Think about it; when you stand, there is space between your legs. So when you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees. This will keep that space there and relieve pressure off of your low back. Again with the knees… when you lay on your back, put that pillow under your knees, just like the bolster in a massage treatment.
If you sleep on your side and tend to have shoulder issues, try “hugging” a pillow. If you notice while you lay there, your shoulders get scrunched inward. “Hugging” a pillow will pull your shoulders back and keep you from rolling them in.
Notice how I did not mention stomach sleeping. This is because it is the worst position to sleep in. It can wreak havoc on your neck and especially the lower back/hips. I know this is comfy, so if you must, try putting a pillow under your ankles. That will at least relieve some low back pressure and prevent you from pulling your leg up and knotting up your hips.
I sleep with a pillow to move around with my knees and one next to the bed for when I roll onto my side. For my neck, I use a memory foam contour pillow. I do not like to endorse any products, but I have had success from this pillow. Before you ask, I bought it at Kohl’s on sale (of course) for less than $15.
