CHRIS TEMPEST
Osteopathic Consultant
Chris is a professional osteopath who qualified from the European School of Osteopathy with an Integrated Masters of Osteopathy (D.O. M.Ost.), so what he doesn’t know about your body isn’t worth knowing. Learn more about our team.
Many people sleep on their side – that may be just a coincidence or because they are aware of the many health benefits of this sleeping position. Sleeping soundly is one way of uplifting your mood and waking up strong, rejuvenated, and ready to start your day.
Apart from sleeping positions, the bed you sleep on affects circulation and the natural alignment of your bones and supporting structures. After a night in the wrong position, you may wake up fatigued and in pain. So as a side sleeper, you may be wondering which bed is best suited to your natural position so that you can enjoy a restful night.
That is where adjustable bed frames come in. Although side sleeping is perfect for your health, there are other sleeping styles that other people prefer. This article contains all you need to know about sleeping positions and how an adjustable bed can improve your sleeping as a side sleeper.
Table of Contents
Is An Adjustable Bed Good For Side Sleeping?
If you were wondering if adjustable beds are good for side sleepers, the answer is yes! Adjustable beds are an excellent choice if you sleep on your side. With a touch of a button, adjustable beds adjust to fit whichever position you want to sleep in. They can be great for front sleepers too.
Sleeping on your side on a flat bed can lead to severe back, neck or shoulder pain, but by elevating your body, you eliminate these problems.
What Are Adjustable Beds?
Getting a good night’s sleep plays a vital role in starting your day well, relaxed, and ready to perform tasks, and you need a good bed for that. An adjustable bed allows you to change and customize the bed to get all the benefits of your specific sleeping position.
In the past, people assumed that adjustable beds were for older people and people with severe medical conditions. However, over time people have come to appreciate the benefits of adjustable beds, and nowadays, they are used by people of all ages for health and lifestyle benefits.
How To Sleep On Your Side On An Adjustable Bed
Although side sleeping is considered a safe sleeping position, it is vital to sleep on your side without exerting unnecessary pressure on various pressure points. Here are a few issues to note about side sleeping on adjustable beds
The Spine Should Be In A Neutral Position
Most side sleepers feel more comfortable in a fetal position which is a good position because the spine is in a neutral position. Thus your spine is in its natural alignment, which minimizes the pressure points, thus you are unlikely to suffer from back pain.
Choose A Suitable Mattresses For Side Sleeping
Although you may assume that firm mattresses are the best choice for side sleepers, this is not the case. The best mattress for side sleepers is soft or medium so that it can help cushion your joints and relieve pain. A memory foam mattress is an excellent choice because of its flexibility; thus, you can reposition it without being afraid of getting it damaged.
Healthy Side Sleeping
Although side sleeping is healthy, where you place your arms is critical in the overall benefits of side sleeping. So don’t raise your arms around pillows or under your body as this may strain your neck and shoulders. Right side sleeping is also more advisable because it creates more space in the chest cavity and thus reducing pressure on your heart muscles.
Benefits Of Adjustable Beds For Side Sleepers
- Adjustable beds allow a side sleeper to sleep with their head elevated to improve blood flow and sleep more comfortably.
- You can also sleep with your knees slightly raised to distribute weight evenly so that you don’t wake up feeling sore in any part of your body
- There are adjustable beds that come with an optimal massage function which can help side sleepers who experience insomnia fall asleep faster.
- Raising your head is an excellent way of preventing sleep apnea. You can adjust your bed to the level you are comfortable with because you cannot use more than one pillow as a side sleeper.
- An adjustable bed can help improve blood circulation, thus relieving pain and inflammation.
- An adjustable bed frame that you can adjust until you are comfortable helps improve digestion and lessen asthma attacks.
What Is Your Sleeping Position?
Some people prefer to sleep in one position while others change positions through the night as they sleep. Each of us has our personal preferences, but exactly what is your best sleeping position, and how can it affect your sleep and overall health?
Here are the most common sleep positions and how they benefit or harm our health.
Back Sleepers
There are sleep experts who say that back sleeping is the best position for your body. However, not everybody finds lying on their back a relaxed position for sleeping. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good position; here are the health benefits of sleeping on your back:
- It is a neutral sleep position; thus, you don’t have to worry about developing wrinkles or back and neck pain
- Your spine is in a neutral position, so it is a healthier sleeping position than other positions
- However, like all the other sleeping positions back sleeping has its disadvantages such as;
- You may experience lower back pain due to lack of support in the lumbar region
- In rare cases it may lead to obstructive sleep apnea
Stomach Sleepers
Plenty of people enjoy sleeping on their stomachs. Although it eases snoring, here are all the health risks you are exposed to by sleeping on your stomach and why you should change to a more beneficial sleeping position.
- May cause neck and back pain
- The pressure of your body weight on your hands can cause numbness and tingling
Side sleepers
One of the most common positions is the side sleeping position. Some people are more comfortable sleeping on their left sides, while others insist that sleeping on your right side is more comfortable. Whichever side you choose to sleep on, there are advantages and disadvantages of sleeping on your side.
Advantages
- You are likely to snore less than people who sleep using other positions
- You are at a lower risk of developing sleep apnea
- Side sleepers rarely experience neck and back pain
- Pregnant women are encouraged to sleep on their left side during the last trimester for improved blood circulation.
- It also helps in acid reflux and heartburn relief
Disadvantages
- It can worsen joint pain
- It may put a strain on your internal organs
Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Adjustable Beds
It is vital to ensure that you purchase a high-quality adjustable bed that is also reasonably priced. Here are other crucial factors that you should consider before buying adjustable beds so that you don’t end up buying an overpriced, poor-quality adjustable bed.
- The warranty or guaranty period
- Functionality and number of adjustment positions it offers
- Reviews of the products
- Whether your current mattress can be used on adjustable beds or if you must buy a new one
- Whether the bed will be pre-assembled or if the company will assembly it for you once it’s delivered
Conclusion
The good news is that adjustable beds are a good choice for side sleepers, but you can use them for all the other sleeping positions. You will be more comfortable, thus having an enjoyable, restful night without waking up with aches and pains.
As we mentioned above, side sleeping has a lot of health benefits. Additionally, side sleeping on an adjustable bed ensures that you can raise the head of the bed or upper body so that your spine is in a neutral position. That way, you will be in a healthy, comfortable position to help relieve pain and prevent sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders.
The benefits of sleeping on an adjustable bed are not limited to your health because you can also adjust the bed to allow you to watch television or read a book while lying down. So do not hesitate to buy an adjustable bed for you or your loved ones and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer side sleepers.
