Despite the impact sleep posture can have on conditions such as dementia and heart disease, research is limited and tends to focus on aches and pains. But back pain is just one implication of an unsuitable sleep position.
Chartered physiotherapist, sleep expert and author of The Good Sleep Guide, Sammy Margo, explains: “Sleep positions can significantly affect your overall health, comfort, and the quality of your sleep. Each position has its pros and cons and understanding them can help you make adjustments for better sleep and health outcomes”.
Dr. Kat Lederle, a sleep scientist and author of Sleep Sense, points out that lifestyle factors during the day are usually the cause of postural problems at night. “What you do in the day generally triggers the pain and discomfort that is felt when you sleep in certain positions. One of the most common contributing factors to this is a sedentary lifestyle, so it is important to move regularly during the day”.
