{"id":26913,"date":"2023-02-10T22:26:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T22:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/?p=26913"},"modified":"2023-06-21T15:07:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T15:07:43","slug":"sleeping-in-fetal-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleeping-in-fetal-position\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Sleeping in the Fetal Position Good for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I visited an orthopedic surgeon to find out how I could get rid of the pain in my lower back<\/a>, he recommended physical therapy and sleeping in a fetal position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m happy to report that physical therapy\u2014mainly stretches<\/a> and exercises to strengthen muscles that support the spine\u2014has worked wonders and eliminated the severe pain of spinal arthritis<\/a>. Sleeping in the fetal position also helped relieved the pain I would feel in other sleep positions<\/a> and let me get the rest I needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could this sleep position be right for you too? This article will explore the pros and cons of sleeping in the fetal position and answer the most common questions about this position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the fetal sleep position?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to explain the fetal position\u2014and the reason for its name\u2014is it’s the position of a fetus in the mother\u2019s womb. It involves lying on the left or right side and bringing up the knees to the chest\u2014forming a kind of ball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to distinguish the fetal sleep position from regular side sleeping<\/a>. The National Sleep Survey<\/a> previously reported that 74% of sleepers snooze on their sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But only certain people, in particular circumstances, are advised to consider the fetal position for their sleep time. Even then, it’s best not to make it an every-night and always thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of the fetal sleep position<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are only a few conditions I can think of that could benefit from a fetal position,\u201d says chiropractor Tom Tozer<\/a>, a provider with Wisconsin-based Imperium Chiropractic. He says he would probably only suggest it as a way to get “some stress off of the spine\u201d\u2014precisely why my orthopedist recommended the fetal sleep position for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even then, Tozer says, \u201cI think it would be important to do something other than just resort to side sleeping or the fetal position.\u201d Sleeping in the fetal position can help, but it alone isn’t the solution\u2014as my own success because of physical therapy demonstrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I sleep in the fetal position if…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Again, it\u2019s important to distinguish sleeping in the side sleep position vs. the fetal sleep position. Many more people can benefit from sleeping on their side than from sleeping in the fetal position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are examples of those who can benefit from side sleeping in general and potentially sleeping occasionally in the fetal sleep position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have back pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As I found, sleeping in the fetal position can provide needed pain relief by relaxing the discs of the spine. But in general, \u201cI would not recommend fetal position if we\u2019re trying to keep a spine healthy,\u201d says Tozer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, he adds, if the goal is to get an injured or irritated spine to relax so the person can sleep, and if it\u2019s only temporary, \u201cthen usage of a fetal position would be OK.\u201d (These are the best and worst sleep positions for back pain<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m pregnant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard that sleeping in the fetal position is good during pregnancy<\/a>, particularly in the later stages. But Tozer says he’s unaware of any studies demonstrating that the fetal position is beneficial for pregnant people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds, however, that side sleeping can be comfortable during pregnancy\u2014perhaps with a pillow to support the belly\u2014while back sleeping can put pressure on the stomach and other organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have sleep apnea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once again, distinguishing the fetal position from the regular side sleep position, sleeping on your side can help reduce the snoring that characterizes obstructive sleep apnea. It may also help prevent the blockages of your airways that cause people with apnea literally to stop breathing multiple times each night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have acid reflux<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Instead of the fetal sleep position, Tozer recommends that people with acid reflux<\/a> sleep on their left side due to the location of the stomach. This can help prevent acid reflux and allow you to rest comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is the fetal sleep position not for you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re concerned about the health of your spine, the fetal position isn’t good for you\u2014certainly not long-term. \u201cA normal, healthy spine has four curves,\u201d Tozer explains, \u201cand when you curl into a ball, you\u2019re putting your spine into a big \u2018C.\u2019\u201d That can contribute toward losing the normal curve in your lower back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why do I sleep in the fetal position?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may sleep in the fetal position for one of the good reasons noted above. It\u2019s possible you also sleep in the fetal position, even once in a while, when you find it comforting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s actually one of the most common sleeping positions, which makes sense, as this is the way you slept while you were in the womb,” says U.K.-based body language and relationship expert Annabelle Knight<\/a>. \u201cBecause of this, it provides a level of comfort and brings you back to your childhood\u2014which suggests that even though you may have a tough exterior, you hide a sensitive soul beneath.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is sleeping in the fetal position healthy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s healthy under certain circumstances, such as when dealing with severe lower back pain, and on a limited basis. It can help relax the spine, relieve pain, and allow you to sleep. In most cases, though, sleeping in the fetal position\u2014certainly over an extended period\u2014can actually be harmful to your spine and contribute to poor posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the healthiest sleep position?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The general consensus among sleep experts is that sleeping on your back<\/a> is best. This position evenly distributes weight along the body, minimizes pressure points, and helps keep the head, neck, and spine properly aligned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping on the side is popular, but it can pull the spine out of alignment and strain the back. Tozer says back and side sleeping are the most recommended because \u201cthey\u2019re going to allow the spine to be in the most neutral position of all the sleeping postures.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Find the best mattress for your sleep position at Saatva<\/p>\n \n \n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Contour5 Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Luxurious body-hugging feel and pressure relief with 3\u201d of ultra-premium, high-density 5-lb memory foam. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"zenhaven\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Zenhaven Latex Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Natural latex responds to every curve for pressure-free support and responsive comfort. Natural latex is supple, resilient, and durable, for the ultimate in elevated sleep. (It’s naturally hypoallergenic too.)<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

It’s important to find a mattress that properly supports your body in your preferred sleep position. Check out our guide to the most comfortable mattress for your sleep style<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I visited an orthopedic surgeon to find out how I could get rid of the pain in my lower back, he recommended physical therapy and sleeping in a fetal position.  I’m happy to report that physical therapy\u2014mainly stretches and exercises to strengthen muscles that support the spine\u2014has worked wonders and eliminated the severe pain of spinal arthritis. Sleeping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":26915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[404,389],"tags":[],"coauthors":[424],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-26913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep-back-pain","category-sleep-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26913"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=26913"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=26913"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=26913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}