A sleep expert has revealed why your preferred sleep position might be negatively impacting your health.
Most people have a go-to position for sleep, whether it’s lying on their back, sprawled flat on the stomach with one leg bent, or curled up on their side.
Many individuals gravitate toward side sleeping, while others may naturally curl into the fetal position.
However, your sleeping posture might be causing harm or exacerbating health issues, as suggested by a behavioral sleep specialist.
According to Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist, sleeping in awkward positions can exert stress on nerves, muscles, and ligaments within the body, as she shared with Fox News Digital.
Those who rest in a ‘T. rex position’—where the arms are curled up—are at a heightened risk of issues.
This is primarily due to the potential for nerve damage, as noted by health researchers.
A 2023 examination of cubital tunnel syndrome, which results in tingling and shooting pain in the forearm, highlights that bending elbows sharply or tucking them under a pillow during sleep may amplify these symptoms.
Consequently, if you experience tingling sensations or numbness in your arms, it might be prudent to avoid the ‘T. rex position’ while sleeping.
Sleeping on your back presents its own set of problems, as the Sleep Foundation points out that it can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.
Additionally, individuals who rest in a supine position are more prone to snoring, as per a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine via the National Institutes of Health.
Lying on your stomach may also misalign the spine, according to research.
Sleeping face-down is associated with discomfort in the back, neck, and shoulders.
If back pain is a concern, adopting a side-sleeping position with legs slightly drawn towards the chest might alleviate pressure.
The Mayo Clinic suggests placing a pillow under the hips and lower abdomen if sleeping on your stomach is unavoidable.
If you’ve experimented with various sleeping positions without relief, Harris advises consulting a sleep specialist.
Somnologists possess the expertise to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, evaluate sleep patterns, and conduct diagnostic tests such as overnight sleep studies.
Your path to restful sleep might be just a consultation away.
Sweet dreams await you!