TL;DR
Side Sleeping
Sleeping on your side is frequently suggested as the best position to alleviate snoring. Many users have reported that sleeping on their side significantly reduces snoring and helps with obstructive sleep apnea [5:1]
[5:3]. Using pillows to keep the chest open and support the neck can enhance comfort and effectiveness when side sleeping
[3:2].
Back Sleeping Concerns
While some people find sleeping on their back comfortable, it is often advised against for those who snore or have sleep apnea. This position can cause airway obstruction due to the collapse of soft tissues in the throat [5:8]. The "tennis ball trick," where a tennis ball is placed behind you to prevent rolling onto your back, has been mentioned as a helpful technique to avoid back sleeping
[5:9]
[5:12].
Stomach Sleeping
Although less commonly recommended, stomach sleeping might help some individuals by preventing airway collapse [5:3]
[5:10]. However, this position can be uncomfortable for many due to potential strain on the neck and back
[2:4].
Elevated Head Position
For those who prefer back sleeping or cannot comfortably sleep on their side, elevating the head using pillows or a wedge pillow can help reduce snoring by keeping airways open [2:1]
[5:6]. Some users have also found relief by propping themselves up almost in a seated position
[5:4].
Additional Recommendations
Using a cervical pillow can provide additional support and help maintain a neutral neck position, which may aid in reducing snoring [2:2]
[2:4]. Additionally, ensuring proper mattress firmness and using supportive pillows can improve overall sleep quality and comfort
[3:1].
I have bruxism and I'm wondering if my sleeping position might influence it. I usually sleep on my side, but I'm curious if other people with bruxism have noticed any difference depending on how they sleep.
Which sleeping position do you usually sleep in, and do you think it affects your teeth grinding? Have you noticed any improvement (or worsening) when changing positions?
I'm also wondering if sleeping on my back might help, but I haven't tried it yet. Would love to hear your experiences!
From my experience, I clench more if I sleep on my side. I’m trying to sleep on my back and I don’t wake up with painful teeth as much.
Yeah I also sleep on my side and the pain is much worse than when I sleep on my back
I think so. I also grind my teeth a lot more if I am sleeping somewhere unusual or napping. For example when flying I'm always grinding my teeth because I'm in a weird position/location.
I think so. https://www.reddit.com/r/TMJ/s/Yq5qvyzjGa
i’m a lifelong stomach sleeper and actively trying to train myself to sleep on my back. can’t speak for it being less painful that way yet since it’s hard for me to fall asleep on my back and actually remain that way throughout the night but i have definitely noticed more soreness whenever i wake up on my side in the morning.
For me on the back with a cervical pillow angled on top a regular pillow helps a little bit. But I am a side sleeper, the cervical pillow I bought somewhat accommodates it but it’s not perfect.
A lot of people say back but sleeping supine comes with its downsides if your clenching is due to breathing difficulties in sleep, as supine is not recommended for airway disturbances, it’s a tough one
Definitely not stomach….that compresses the jaw joint not to mention the stress on the neck, back etc. Cervical pillow is best imo with neck in neutral position. Back sleeping is best, side sleeping ok too.
So far with no pillow/on my back but I want to see other suggestions as well.
I use a wedge pillow. It keeps my head slightly erect and seems to take some pressure off my TMJ. This is the third pillow I’ve tried (and the cheapest) and it helps me.
I just got one of these for my nighttime GERD.
Can you please post a photo
Whats the best sleeping position I have Sleep Apnea so I have to wear a mask, Im use to sleeping on my side
Avoid your stomach at all cost , I know it’s hard but back sleeping is the best possible way to sleep and helps your spine & costo use tennis balls put them to your sides so you don’t toss and turn , sometimes I’ll sleep on my left side but always put a firm pillow between my knees help with lower back & one under my arm to keep my arm up & chest open instead of hunched over which will close my chest and be stiff when I wake up - B
Whatever side keeps it from hurting. Use pillows to keep your chest open.
Following because I have no idea what to do
Sleeping on your back is best. Get a firmer mattress, a nice pillow to prop up your knees and a nice supportive pillow for your head. That’s worked great for me. I’m a side sleeper too so it’s been an adjustment but seeing some progress by sleeping that way.
If I fall asleep as "soldier", sleep paralysis is almost guaranteed lol.
I was waiting for the poster to call this out. I am scared to fall asleep on my back for years now
Same, I find it to be a very comfortable position for my back (which I have problems with), but sleep paralysis has happened quite a few times like that (especially if I lift my hands above my head) so yeah.. i'll stick to the side
I thought it was just me or there were some other trigger, too. It’s comfortable for me to sleep on my back starfish or soldier but repeated trauma from sleep paralysis keeps me anxious while I do that.
Stomach ~ 1 arm under pillow ~ Figure-4 the legs
I think this is what I do too - we are not alone!
Where is the 1 arm raised tiger knee position?
I probably go through all of them at some point during the night.
I usually sleep in the fetal position, but with my top leg extended, almost like a ballerina's position.
Hello.
Title. I am trying to get a sleep study done, but in the meantime, what are your best positions to alleviate symptoms? Can you also recommend some cheap mouth devices? I am willing to try things.
Thanks.
Depends on the type of apnea.
I'm not sure a sleeping position will impact central sleep apnea.
For obstructive sleep apnea, sleeping position can have a major impact. In my bed, on the stomach is best. Second best is on my side and worst is on my back. I have found sleeping while seated also works well if I have my chin on my chest.
Didn't expect stomach sleeping to help. Gonna give it a try! I also considered seating sleeping like in the Middle Age.
It's because most of the time the airway collapses from the soft tissue on the front of your neck, so sleeping on your back will collapse it down into your windpipe. Sleeping on your stomach means that when you lose muscle tone, it won't block your airway as badly.
ETA: This is only for OSA. CSA I don't really think there is a sleeping position to minimize it.
iirc some people experience relief propping themselves up sleeping on their back, like almost sitting up.
I sleep with 2 pillows to elevate my head. Seems to help with sleep apnea a bit.
Sigh...anyone have any tips for back sleepers?
I've tried and can't fall asleep on my side no matter how long I lay there. Also for side sleepers, 2 pillows or 1?
Take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt but I've seen people back sleeping with a little pillow under their neck, so they head tilts backwards. Apparently it opens the airways.
I have 3 pillows and i am considering replacing 2 with a hug pillow. Having something to hold and leg support when attempting to sleep on your side cannot be underestimated.
Avoid sleeping on your back. Try sleeping in your side or stomach. Best of luck!
Avoid sleeping on your back
tennis ball trick works.
I was sure I never slept on my back until I tried it. I felt so much better after the first night.
tennis ball trick works.
What is the tennis ball trick ???
Sleeping on my side stopped my snoring, but I still have apnea on my side. It just doesn’t wake me up as much.
Do not recommend doing what he in 2:45.
Many articles out there but good old Brew explains it simply, for your convenience I time stamped it https://youtu.be/Dy6vGezwrQc?t=552
I purchased a "wedge" to see if it would help and it didn't last one night. But his follow up with placing wedges under the mattress make sense. In other words, a hospital bed type of configuration. I could help (but man are they expensive!)
The wedge itself is fine (I'm no expert, just going off my understanding). It's that on the wedge he placed the normal pillow under his shoulders, nech and head. If it were slid up higher so the shoulders are only on the wedge it would be fine.
Also your mattress will pancake the wedge, I'd advise against that
Ya I can’t sleep on my back since I got a cpap. I wake up bloated from air and sick to my stomach
I don't have any issues sleeping on my back with my cpap, I just wish I could sleep spooning my wife without a steady stream of air blowing towards her.
hey everyone! wondering if anyone has tips for side sleepers like me. i wake up in so much pain everyday from my shoulder blades/ shoulders in general being shifted out of place every night but i cannot for the life of me sleep on my back, it just won’t happen. sleeping on my side causes shoulder, neck, and back pain so i’d really appreciate tips on how i can properly support myself while laying down
I am a staunch side sleeper with shoulders that sublux during sleep. Make sure your bedding is of good quality to support the spine and then get yourself a body pillow to support you at the knees that is tall enough towards the top to rest the top arm on. Supporting that top arm helps to prevent it coming out while you sleep.
I have an adjustable bed. I get my spine straightened and hips where I want them. Use a neck pillow to support it. I also have a towel. rolled up and at my waist position, stabilized by being under the mattress pas, so that I keep my upper lumbar straight when on my side. I have many spondylolyses and I need support.
I have a vibration setting that relaxes my muscles when I go from upright to lying down. And do a vibrating plate before bed.
Yes, I am a delightful bed partner, ha ha!!!
Honestly, the first thing that helped was a new bed. Sleeping on an unsupported mattress is agony. The second thing, is many strategically placed pillows. Soft pillows on top of a wedge pillow for the head and shoulders, then firmer pillows wedged between my arms and thighs to keep my joints happy. It’s not perfect, but it works.
Yes. So many pillows. I recently started using a pregnancy pillow turned upside down (so it makes a u around my legs). And found a mattress with different zones of softness.
I came here to say this because I’m sleeping on a bed that’s not mine tonight and it’s so soft I’m still up at 3am responding to this. I know it’s not cheap to get a new bed but finding one that works for you is priceless. The firm one I’m missing right now is a Nectar fwiw
I’ve literally woken up before and it hurt to breathe because of how bad my back was
YES! THIS!!
I recruited an army of squishmallows.
No joke.
I lay down to sleep and grab one to shove under an elbow, a shoulder, a knee, whatever hurts.
This!
Yes this indeed!!! I get them when they're on sale and now have several different sizes
I’m deaf, so my snoring doesn’t bother me at all. Just be deaf.
I needed this... how does one become deaf?
Earplugs
My experience is that earplugs don’t keep the low frequency sounds of snoring out very well. Or at all, in fact. They keep high frequency sounds out all right, but snoring gets through most things: doors, walls and ear plugs.
Surprisingly, at the time of writing this, there are 19 comments and you only mentioned that. When I lived in a dormitory I got used to sleeping with earplugs. However, sometimes I had an occasion to sleep with someone whose snoring was able to wake me up.
Lol right, I thought that too. I find that the industrial rubber ones with multiple rings work best. I get woken up by pretty much everything and they block all noise out. Not so good if you are trying to get woken up by an alarm clock but all you have to do there is make it vibrate near you and that works good. My husband has a CPAP so his snoring is not too much of an issue anymore, but I had to wear the earplugs on a deployment when there was a lot of noise. They can get a little uncomfortable, but I can deal with that. I keep a pair in my purse just in case.
Grab a pillow and gently smother their face. Snoring stops permanently
‘Sleeep my darlinggg….sleeeppppp’
I try syncing my breathing with their snoring. Basic idea is that breathwork can induce various physiological states such as relaxation. If the person snoring is in a deep deep sleep, then I assume that if I match their inhale exhale patterns I can "trick" my mind into going into a similar state.
It almost always works for me.
I almost always die trying to match my breath pattern with theirs
Yeah when they stop snoring , I stop breathing too fuck
First of all, who let them in my room?
I could break every bone in my entire body and I would still sleep on my side
Dude I’ve broken my arm, I can promise you now that I won’t be sleeping on my side tonight.
You are wrong.
You will, and it will hurt. And you will be pissed off at not being comfortable.
You will go to sleep with it sticking out to one side , knowing for sure you have placed it in the position that means you won't roll on it.
You will wake up with it under you and in pain.
Have a touch of pain relief and it will be ok.
I hear if you have two broken arms your sleeping arrangements become even more unconventional...
Used to think the same thing, fractured my pelvis in August and slept on my back for almost 8 weeks.
As someone who’s broken their neck and lower back at the same time, no matter what sleeping position you are in, you will move in your sleep, and you will wake up in pain
What position for crippling depression?
On side with whisky in your hand
I like spread eagle face down
Scream into one of the two pillows
Do I look like some sort of rich person with two pillows?
My fancy pillow I got when I was revalidating from a serious injury is still one of my favourite possessions, I always take it with me when I won't sleep at home e.g. to festivals or friends. I sleep on my side and the pillow is rather sturdy, other pillows just don't feel like they support my head anymore.
This is how I sleep
That’s the ‘I’m too tired to care’ move - comfort at its finest!
Best sleep positions for snoring
Key Considerations for Sleep Positions to Reduce Snoring:
Side Sleeping:
Elevated Head Position:
Avoid Back Sleeping:
Stomach Sleeping:
Additional Tips:
By adopting these sleep positions and habits, you can significantly reduce snoring and improve your sleep quality.
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