What does science say about how you should position your body when you sleep?

The best position (as noted from both personal experience and chiropractic recommendations when I had neck and back issues) is to sleep on your back with a medium-sized sausage pillow under your neck. This "sausage pillow" should be 3-5 inches in diameter, and relatively sturdy. If you want a squishy one that's fine, it just has to compress enough to the point where your neck's natural curve is supported or encouraged. You can put your regular pillow under your knees to further encourage a fully relaxed position. The reason for the pillow and its placement (again, directly behind neck / under base of head) is so that all the day's stresses and all your neck's work of holding your head up is released-- like a pressure-point massage. Your regular pillows keep your head propped forward simulating bad posture for another 8-some hours of the day. It's fine if you wake up in a different position---likely one of the original positions you slept in. You'll find that the more you practice this sleeping pattern, the less often you'll revert back to this "comfortable " position... Because it won't be as comfy as on your back now.

Do not sleep on your stomach, especially with your arm stretched out under your head. It leads to a problem called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_outlet_syndrome http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm... http://www.medicinenet.com › ... › https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQ6QUoADAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicinenet.com%2Fscript%2Fmain%2Fforum.asp%3Farticlekey%3D494&ei=f8fWU4foLY_gsASj9ICoCA&usg=AFQjCNHGiQ4X0lp5k5UOcJUZfVAMJSwfEg&bvm=bv.71778758%2Cd.cWc It is one of the most extremely painful things that a person can experience. It took me 10 weeks of intense massage therapy, and not even oxycodone could touch it at all. There is no relief. The first week I couldn't sit, stand or lay down, I thought I would never live through it. I had to learn to sleep on my back and no other position for several months and I had to get an ergonomic pillow to support my neck. I had to learn how to be aware of the position of my arms while I was asleep. It took months. Eventually I learned how to sleep on my sides while keeping my arms below my shoulders. I did learn it all because I'd rather have major surgery than live through that agony again!

Every sleep position has its pros and cons. Its a generalised consensus that any position which is comfortable to an individual can be adopted. But there are some rules of thumb. 1) If you sleep straight put a pillow beneath your knees - good for spine. Similiarly, if you sleep on your sides, put a pillow between your knees. 2) left lateral position i.e. sleeping on your left side is good for people with Gastric disorders like GERD & in pregnant females. 3) sleeping on right side is good for cardiac patients esp with CHF( Congestive heart failure) 4) elderly people should be made to change their position every 2 hours so as to prevent bed sores. Thanx.

Results of a recent study (with mice) from Stony Brook University suggest that sleeping on your side is most beneficial to the health of your brain. It is the position most conducive to the process of removing waste products from the brain (which mostly occurs during sleep), and may therefore reduce the risk of neurological diseases. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dailyrx-news/how-sleep-position-may-affect-the-brain_b_7967406.html And apparently most humans and other animals prefer this position. When I've had a full tummy, heartburn, or a broken arm that needed to be kept elevated, I found that sleeping propped up with pillows into a semi-seated position can be pretty comfortable. And there are pros and cons of sleeping on your back or your belly, as mentioned in this article http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/strange-ways-sleeping-positions-affect-your-health

It seems like all sleeping positions have pros and cons.  Sleeping on the back is best for spine and neck health and to minimize facial wrinkling, but it can make sleep apnea and snoring worse.  Sleeping on the side--specifically the left--is best for pregnancy and for those who suffer from heartburn and GERD, but can put pressure on the stomach and lungs and lead to a numb arm!  Stomach sleeping can reduce snoring, but is pretty much the worst for everything else and can strain the neck and back.

Best for what? Sleep is the preserve of personal preference. If you sleep better in one position then that's what's best, although I agree with Logan that sleeping on your stomach is not good for your back and for other reasons. Sleep position has to do with what feels comfortable and this depends a lot on what you are sleeping on. Sleeping in a fetal position, on your side is likely the best position, but just try that for very long if you are sleeping on hard ground! Given that you have a decent bed and a good pillow, sleeping on your side is a good start but you will find that you don't have much choice. While you are asleep you change positions many times and that is beyond your control.

The best sleeping position depends on personal preference, height, weight and numerous other factors. Sleeping on your stomach runs the chance of muscle tension in the morning leading to short, choppy breathing which eases itself as you wake up. Sleeping on your back in my experience causes a temperature fluctuation where your feet are cold, but your hands and arms arent, making it a real struggle in the sheets. There's no right or wrong with sleep, whether it be on your side, back or stomach. So long as your comfy and can get your 8 hours. Sleep is sleep.

Hi As far as science is concerned, the phenomenon of sleep is still one complete biological mystery. So, if any doctor gives his 'opinion' on anything pertaining to sleep, take it with a pinch of salt as the so called doctor is nothing but a quack, his medical degree amounting to nothing.Proof? Do read -

If you have a snoring problem, it is best for you to sleep side ways.