{"id":32745,"date":"2024-07-08T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/?p=32745"},"modified":"2024-07-01T17:44:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T17:44:58","slug":"sleeping-in-a-recliner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleeping-in-a-recliner\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Sleeping in a Recliner Chair Bad for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recliners are one of the coziest spots to curl up with a book or binge-watch a beloved series. Some recliners are so comfortable that you might end up taking an unplanned nap<\/a>\u2014or sleep straight through the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But is it bad to sleep in a recliner all<\/em> night or every<\/em> night? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, sleeping in a recliner might have temporary benefits for some people, but it can also cause some issues. This article will explore everything you need to know about sleeping in a recliner chair to decide whether it’s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a recliner chair? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A recliner chair is an armchair or sofa seat with an inner mechanism that enables it to adjust from upright to reclined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When activated by a motor, lever, or simple force, the chair’s back lowers while the footrest raises up. Some recliners also have adjustable lumbar support<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of sleeping in a recliner chair <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping in a recliner may offer temporary relief for people with certain conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these benefits don’t outweigh the drawbacks, according to\u00a0Patrick Nuzzo<\/a>, a doctor of naprapathy (a holistic specialty that focuses on treating chronic pain) and founder of\u00a0Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May relieve heartburn <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Limited research<\/a> has found that head-of-bed elevation can improve symptoms of acid reflux<\/a> or heartburn. The chair’s angle keeps your upper body elevated if you’re sleeping in a recliner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, sleeping in a recliner isn’t the only way to elevate your head. An\u00a0adjustable base<\/span> can\u00a0help soothe heartburn symptoms without the dangers of recliner snoozing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May improve snoring and sleep apnea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An elevated head position has been known to improve\u00a0sleep apnea<\/a>\u2014and apnea-associated\u00a0snoring<\/a>\u2014while you snooze.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because a recliner keeps your upper body elevated, you may feel like sleeping in a recliner chair helps you breathe more easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you can raise your head with an adjustable bed base or pillows<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May offer support after a back injury<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If an injured back has made lying flat impossible or too painful, then sleeping in a recliner for a few nights may help you get much-needed rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“However, if you do choose a recliner, as soon as you possibly can, get your body back to the bed and back to\u00a0sleeping on your back<\/a>,” says Nuzzo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dangers of sleeping in a recliner chair <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping in a recliner once in a while isn’t dangerous. But regularly sleeping in a recliner chair instead of a bed can harm your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may compromise digestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nuzzo says sleeping in a recliner chair changes your posture<\/a> and how your internal organs are supported, which can eventually impact digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor circulation to the abdominal area for a long time “could lead to constipation, bowel irritability, and other digestive problems,” he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may weaken stomach and back muscles <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s good to move your body into many different positions throughout the day\u2014standing, sitting, bending, and lying prone or flat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping in a recliner every night prevents you from practicing your full range of motion. “You develop flaccid muscles in the back and stomach,” Nuzzo warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may worsen joint stiffness and back pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Sleeping in a recliner is not good for your body and spine,” says Nuzzo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s because sleeping in a chair restricts nighttime movement, which can make your body feel stiffer and sore in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may cause circulation problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“If you’re not getting good circulation in the body because of an impeded posture by sleeping in a recliner, then your heart is going to work hard to circulate blood,” says Nuzzo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impaired circulation can increase the risk of blood clots. And clots that form in the legs can loosen and lodge in the lungs or heart, which may be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may cause ankle swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“In a recliner, your feet are up a bit, but the head is still higher than the lower body,” says Nuzzo. The result? You may experience swollen ankles or a heavy feeling in your legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a sign that you need to move around and consider lying flat next time you go to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may keep you from seeking the treatment you need<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elevating your upper body can provide temporarily relieve\u00a0acid reflux\u00a0and\u00a0back pain<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Nuzzo says he’s concerned that patients spend too much time treating symptoms instead of working with a healthcare provider to pinpoint and treat the root cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You need to tackle that problem because if you stay in a recliner, you potentially worsen your health,” he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to make sleeping in a recliner more comfortable <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, sleeping in a recliner for a night or two is necessary. Maybe your back is injured\u2014or your bedroom is being renovated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to make recliner sleeping more comfortable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n