If you consistently wake up with “stiffness in the neck and lower back,” a spine specialist says your sleeping position is the likely culprit. A chiropractor has identified stomach sleeping as one of the most common “bad sleep positions,” explaining that it puts undue stress on multiple parts of the spine. He warned that sleep is a time for recovery, and this posture sabotages that process.
The specialist explained that the primary issue with stomach sleeping is the head position. To breathe, you are forced to “twist your neck to one side for an extended period.” This sustained rotation can strain the muscles in your neck and compress the sensitive nerves that run down your cervical spine, leading to stiffness and even tingling in your arms.
The problems don’t end at the neck. The expert elaborated that this “unnatural” position also causes “the lower back to arch in an unnatural direction.” This hyperextension puts significant stress on the lumbar region. “Many people who sleep in such a position develop stiffness in the neck and lower back,” he stated, linking the symptoms directly to the posture.
The specialist also warned against a second position: the tight fetal pose. He noted that curling up too tightly “rounds the spine too much,” which over-stretches back muscles, tightens hip flexors, and restricts deep breathing. This can lead to decreased flexibility and chronic mid-back pain over time.
The best way to sleep, the specialist advised, is to maintain the spine’s natural curve. He recommends lying on your back with a small pillow under your knees to support the lower back, or on your side with a supportive pillow between your legs. These positions distribute weight evenly, prevent strain, and allow you to wake up refreshed and pain-free.
