A doctor has issued a warning to anyone who sleeps on their stomach, saying the position could increase the risk of developing a painful chest condition.
Some people choose to sleep face-down because it feels comfortable or helps cut down on snoring, but one medic says it can come with a few downsides.
Often referred to as the “freefall” sleeping position, lying on your front can put extra strain through the spine, which may leave you waking up stiff or sore.
It’s also been claimed by SoakandSleep that the added pressure against the pillow may contribute to more facial wrinkles over time.
So much for the idea of waking up looking refreshed.
That said, stomach sleeping can have one advantage for snorers: it can prevent the tongue from dropping back and narrowing the airway.
In a TikTok video, Doctor Suraj Kukadia shared why he believes sleeping on your front isn’t a good idea for many people.
He was reacting to a post from another influencer who said they ended up in an emergency room with chest pains.
Dr Kukadia said: “Thankfully, not all chest pain comes from the heart. This creative was diagnosed with costochondritis. So costo means ribs, chondros is for cartilage and it just means inflammation.
“So it’s when the cartilage attaching your ribs to your breastbone gets irritated and it gets inflamed, and this can cause a sharp, stabbing chest pain.”
He explained that discomfort tends to feel worse if you press on the area, twist your torso during sleep, or take deep breaths.
That’s because the ribcage moves and expands as you inhale.
Mayo Clinic describes costochondritis “an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone, called the sternum.
“Pain caused by costochondritis might be like that of a heart attack or other heart conditions. Costochondritis most commonly affects the upper ribs on the left-hand side of the body.
“Pain is often worst where the rib cartilage attaches to the breastbone, called the sternum. But pain also can happen where the cartilage attaches to the rib.”
They note that the exact cause isn’t always known.
SoakandSleep has also suggested that people who sleep on their front may be more prone to anxiety and compulsive traits than other sleepers, while also being more sociable and outgoing.
Dr Kukadia continued: “Sleeping on your stomach can trigger costochondritis because the chest is compressed for hours and that pressure can irritate the rib and cartilage joints.
“These are called the costochondral joints.
“Now, adding in poor posture and heavy lifting during the day can give you the perfect recipe for costochondritis.”
For anyone who does sleep in this position, the good news is that treatment is often manageable. It typically focuses on rest, anti inflammatories (when appropriate), and gentle stretching of the chest wall, while steering clear of postures that put pressure on the chest.
The Sleep Foundation said: “The healthiest sleeping positions are generally on your side or back, as they best maintain spinal alignment, reduce pressure, and allow for muscle recovery.
Side sleeping (specifically the left side) is ideal for reducing acid reflux, easing back pain, and mitigating sleep apnea, while back sleeping offers superior spinal alignment.”