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In this episode of the Northstar Integrated Health & Physical Medicine Center podcast, Dr. Paul Rieselman dives into one of his favorite patient topics: how your sleeping position affects your spinal health. Most people never consider that the hours they spend asleep could be contributing to their back or neck pain, but the position you choose each night makes a real difference. Dr. Paul walks through the pros and cons of the most common sleeping positions, from back sleeping to side sleeping to stomach sleeping, and explains which positions best support spinal alignment. He also offers practical tips for using pillows and other adjustments to improve your sleep posture tonight. Whether you wake up stiff and sore or simply want to protect your spine long-term, this episode gives you actionable guidance you can use right away.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Paul, and you’re listening to the Northstar Integrated Health and Physical Medicine Center podcast, coming to you from right here in Lisle, Illinois. Today we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us… sleep. Specifically, we’re going to talk about how the position you sleep in can either help your spine or quietly work against it night after night. And honestly, this is one of my favorite topics to bring up with patients because most people have never given it a second thought. You spend roughly a third of your life asleep. That’s a lot of hours in whatever position your body lands in. So let’s make those hours count.
Now, here’s the thing. Your spine has a natural curve to it. Three of them, actually. And when you sleep, your goal is to support those curves so your muscles can fully relax and your spine stays in a neutral position. When your spine is out of alignment for hours at a time, your muscles have to work to compensate, and you wake up stiff, sore, or just plain tired. Sound familiar? I hear that from people all the time.
So let’s talk about the best positions. Sleeping on your back is generally considered the gold standard for spinal health. When you lie on your back, your weight is evenly distributed, and your spine can rest in a fairly neutral position. Now, the key here is pillow placement. You want a pillow under your head that keeps your neck in line with the rest of your spine, not propped up too high, not too flat. A lot of people also benefit from placing a pillow under their knees when sleeping on their back. That slight bend in the knees takes pressure off the lower back, and it makes a real difference. If you deal with lower back pain and you’re a back sleeper, try that tonight. Seriously, just try it.
The second position I recommend a lot is side sleeping, specifically on your side with your knees slightly bent. This is actually the most common position people land in naturally, and it can be great for your spine when done right. The big mistake I see is that people let their top knee drop forward, which rotates the pelvis and puts a twist in the lower back. The fix is simple. Put a pillow between your knees. It keeps your hips stacked, your pelvis neutral, and your lower back much happier. And make sure your head pillow is thick enough to keep your neck level with your spine, too. If your head is drooping down toward the mattress, that’s stress on your cervical spine all night long. All night.
Now, what about stomach sleeping? I have to be honest with you here. Stomach sleeping is really the least ideal position for your spine. When you’re face down, you have to turn your head to one side just to breathe, and that puts your neck in a rotated position for hours. It also flattens the natural curve in your lower back and puts pressure on your joints. If you’re a dedicated stomach sleeper, I get it. Habits are hard to break. But if you can start transitioning, even part of the night, to your side or your back, your body will thank you for it.
So here’s some practical advice you can start using right away. First, take a look at your pillow. It might just be time for a new one. A pillow that’s too old or too soft won’t give you the support you need. Second, think about your mattress. It should be supportive enough that your body isn’t sinking into a hammock shape, but not so firm that it creates pressure points. Medium firm tends to work well for most people. And third, if you’re a side sleeper, try the pillow between the knees tonight. It costs you nothing, and the difference can honestly be remarkable.
Now, if you’re waking up stiff every morning, if you have neck pain, lower back pain, or you just feel like you’re never fully rested, it might be time to come in and get evaluated. So much of what’s happening in your body during the day shows up at night, and the same goes the other way around. We can look at how your spine is moving, where there might be restrictions or misalignments, and help you build a real plan to feel better.
We’d love to see you here at Northstar Integrated Health and Physical Medicine Center in Lisle. Give us a call, check us out online, and let’s get you sleeping and feeling the way you deserve to. I’m Doctor Paul, thanks so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time.
