Dos and don’ts for sleeping to protect your spine

Picture of Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano
Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano

Principal Orthopedic Spine surgeon at Montesano Spine & Sport.

Dos and don'ts for sleeping to protect your spine

Sleeping is very important for your spine because it is relieved of stress and pressure when you sleep. That’s why it’s important to have a good mattress and pillow to support your back and neck so no pain is caused. Here is a quick list of dos and don’ts for sleeping:

  • Do sleep in the fetal position: Sleeping in the fetal position is the best position to sleep in to support your back. You can even put a pillow between your legs to relieve more pressure.
  • Do get up by turning on your side and then sitting up: This is the best way to get out of bed without causing any pain.
  • Don’t sleep anywhere that doesn’t provide support for your spine: Try not to sleep on couches, the floor, and a mattress that doesn’t support your spine. If you sleep on any of these things, it can lead to back pain.
  • Don’t sleep on your stomach: Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position to sleep in because it flattens the natural curve on your spine and doesn’t support it.