Stomach sleepers are people who sleep on their bellies. They put their entire weight on their front body parts, especially on their stomach, hip, and neck areas, which might mess up the alignment of the spinal cord.
Since this posture is thought to be the most harmful of all sleeping positions, they are technically better off without pillows. However, if at all they must use one for some cushioning, they should opt for the thinnest possible pillow that can keep the spine aligned adequately without placing undue strain on the neck and back.
This article discusses the top 4 reasons a thin pillow is most suited for a stomach sleeper.
It Maintains the Head at Mattress Level
The last thing you want if you sleep on your stomach is for your head to be positioned awkwardly on a big, firm cushion. It will feel the tension from this and eventually develop pain.
A thin, soft cushion, on the other hand, will enable the head to adequately sink in and be level with the mattress. This will eliminate any unnatural angles that might develop and allow the neck to rest pain-free. The spinal cord will then be correctly positioned as a result.
It Reduced Stress On The Hip
Those who sleep on their stomachs are aware that their position frequently causes excruciating backaches, particularly in the lower back. This is due to the fact that the centre of the body experiences the most pressure, which also causes the spine’s concave section to become even more concave.
Placing a pillow beneath the pelvis is frequently advised to help with this. Keep in mind that this cushion needs to be soft and thin to avoid raising the hip at an uncomfortable angle and causing pain.
It Prevents Headaches
The unfortunate thing about stomach sleeping is that it’s often accompanied by headaches. The face being buried in the mattress, which is rarely cleaned, and the neck being incorrectly inclined upward are the two main culprits.
However, if a stomach sleeper uses a thin pillow, both issues can be addressed. After all, a pillow is any day easier to clean than a mattress. Check out PillowHunter’s listicle of the best thin pillows if you are looking to buy one.
It Keeps Shoulder Pain at Bay
Stomach sleeping can also cause shoulder pain, which is an indirect effect caused by a misaligned head and neck. However, with the right amount of elevation by using a thin pillow, this issue can be kept at bay.
To conclude, nearly 16% of the world’s population are stomach sleepers. While it might be a comfortable sleeping position for many, the aftereffects aren’t very pretty for most people.
Those who sleep on their stomachs are more likely than others to experience health problems as a result of their sleeping position. These problems may appear insignificant at first, but they might develop into serious ones if you don’t address them right away.
However, with the right kind of thin pillow, they can not only be prevented but mitigated as well. So, are you a stomach sleeper? Are you using a thin pillow yet?
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