01/06/2026
Wake up with neck or back pain? You’re probably making these common mistakes.
First, never sleep on your stomach! This position puts massive strain on your neck and lower back. Your spine stays twisted all night, which leads to chronic pain and can even contribute to scoliosis.
If you’re a back sleeper, make sure your head isn’t propped up too high. This flattens the natural curve of your neck. Instead, use a neck roll or pull the edges of your pillow down to support your neck. Pro tip: Back sleeping is great for your spine, but if you struggle with snoring or sleep apnea, you should avoid it.
Side sleeping is usually the best option, but your pillow height is key. If it’s too high or too low, you’ll end up with tension headaches and neck stiffness. Your pillow should perfectly fill the gap between your ear and shoulder, keeping your head level with the mattress.
If you sleep on your side without a pillow between your knees, you’re straining your adductors and overstretching your glutes. This often leads to groin and hip pain.
Also, avoid curling up too tight into a fetal position. Keeping your knees pulled too high strains your hip flexors, causing pain in both your groin and your lower back.
Finally, use a pillow to support your top arm. Without it, you’re compressing your chest and scalene muscles, which is why your arm often falls asleep or feels numb.
I’m Dr. Chernov. Start sleeping right and share this with your loved ones. What’s your go-to sleeping position? Let me know in the comments!