Let us be honest… waking up with a sore neck or a tight back is not exactly a fun way to start the day. We all have those mornings where we stretch, crack our neck, and think, “What did I do in my sleep?”

Most times, it is not random. It is how we slept.

At our family chiropractic centre, we see this all the time. People think sleep is just sleep. But posture at night matters just as much as posture during the day.

Sleeping on Your Stomach Can Mess Things Up

Let us start with the toughest one… stomach sleeping.

It feels comfy. We get it. But it is rough on the spine.

When we sleep on our stomach, the neck has to twist to the side all night. That twist puts stress on the neck joints and muscles. Over time, this can lead to stiff necks, shoulder pain, and headaches.

Your spine has a natural soft curve. Stomach sleeping flattens that curve. It puts pressure on the lower back. It can irritate the discs.

We have all woken up feeling like a bent sandwich before. Not fun.

Sleeping on Your Back Is Usually the Best

Back sleeping is often the easiest on the spine.

It lets the head, neck, and back rest in a straight, neutral position. But even this can go wrong if the pillow is too thick.

A big pillow can tilt the head forward. That strains the neck slightly all night long.

A simple trick? Use a thin pillow for your head. Place a soft pillow under your knees. That small change can take pressure off the lower back.

Small fixes. Big relief.

Side Sleeping Is Good… If Done Right

A lot of us sleep on our side. It feels natural.

Side sleeping can be great for the spine, but only if the body is lined up right.

Putting a pillow between the knees keeps the hips and lower back in line. Without it, the top leg pulls the spine into a twist. That twist can cause lower back pain and hip tightness.

Arm position matters too. Sleeping with your arm trapped under your pillow or body can mess with the shoulder and neck. If your shoulder aches in the morning, your sleep position might be the reason.

Your Mattress Matters More Than You Think

Let us talk about the bed itself.

A mattress that is too soft lets the body sink too much. A mattress that is too hard puts pressure on the hips and shoulders.

Most studies show that medium-firm mattresses support the spine best. They support the curves without letting the body collapse.

When sleep support is bad, back pain becomes more common. Energy drops. Mood drops too.

Sleep should help the body heal. Not beat it up.

Small Changes Can Help a Lot

Sleep is not just rest. It is repair time for your spine.

Changing your pillow. Adding a knee pillow. Switching sleep position slowly. These tiny changes can save you from big pain later.

At our family chiropractic centre, we always say this… small habits done daily matter more than big changes done once.

If your neck or back keeps hurting, it may be time to see a Yakima chiropractor. A simple check can show how your sleep and daily habits affect your spine.

Your body works hard for you all day.

Let it rest the right way at night.