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What Are Good Sleeping Positions?

Good sleeping positions are those that keep the body aligned. They reduce pain and improve the quality of sleep. Some common sleeping positions can throw the body out of alignment, but most problems can be alleviated with the simple use of a pillow or towel.

  1. Best Position

    • Sleeping on your back is the best position overall, according to CBSNews.com. The spine is allowed to stay in a natural, flat position (Reference 1).

    Pillow Use

    • Using a pillow elevates and strains your neck. The very best position is to sleep on your back without a pillow. Or, try two pillows, one under the head and one under the knees, as recommended at MayoClinic.com (Reference 2).

    Sleeping on Your Side

    • Sleeping on your side can help hip pain. Try to raise the knees and put a pillow between them to maintain your alignment (Reference 2).

    Sleeping on Your Abdomen

    • Sleeping on your abdomen is the worst position for the neck and back, according to CBSNews.com (Reference 1). Try placing a pillow underneath the abdomen without using a pillow under the head for best results, according to MayoClinic.com (Reference 2).

    Expert Insight

    • The abdomen position may help spinal disc problems, however. Otherwise, belly-sleepers should consider using a full-body pillow to switch to side-sleeping, according to CBSNews.com (Reference 1).

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