Should you be sleeping on your back?
The Monthly-ish # 6: October 18th 2026
Put your hand up if you think sleeping on your back is the position you should be sleeping in 🙋♀️
I see you!
When sleeping position comes up, this is the one most of my clients think is the safest.
That probably comes from this idea that lying on your back is the healthiest because it keeps you in a neutral position.
But here’s the thing.
While it’s one of the better options, it’s definitely not the gold standard.
Besides, holding a neutral position for however many hours of sleep you get in a night isn’t the goal anyways.
Because your body isn’t meant to be perfectly still (even while you sleep).
What matters most is whether you’re comfortable in the position you choose and if you can actually sleep that way.
So when is sleeping on your back the right choice?
If it’s the position you naturally feel most comfortable sleeping in.
Because if it isn’t, you’ll either struggle to fall asleep or end up in another position anyway.
If you have a shoulder or hip injury that makes lying on your side uncomfortable.
When sleeping on your side is no bueno because of an injury, sleeping on your back could be the next best thing.
That being said, it probably won’t be easy to fall asleep that way at first if you’re not used to it, so make it as comfortable as possible by putting a pillow under your knees.
Why is sleeping on your back not the best for everyone?
I try not to leave someone with back pain on their back for very long during treatment.
And for good reason.
It’s a position that can really irritate a sore or stiff back.
The same goes for sleeping this way. Unless your mattress perfectly supports you in corpse pose, it will probably bother your back too.
You’re 28+ weeks pregnant.
Sleeping on your back is generally advised against at the end of a pregnancy.
If you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your back, don't worry! Just roll back on your side and carry on.
So don’t force a change just because you think it’s safer.
Sleeping on your back isn’t necessarily the most ergonomic position.
If it leaves you lying in bed willing yourself to sleep for half an hour, that’s not a win.
But if you’ve been trying to change your sleep position because of pain, it’s time to get you sorted 👋
Funnily enough, I’m sleeping pretty well these days.
Because I’m pregnant.
With twins 🙈
They’re due March 14, but they’ve been handed an eviction notice for the end of February (everyone’s doing well, it’s just standard to get twins out early).
So there’s lots to focus on behind the scenes over the next month (but I’ll try not to make it all about sleep):
For My Family:
I’ve been clearing out the forgotten foods in our freezer and pantry. Next up, I’m tackling quite a few kilos of flour that need to be used up 🍪
For Myself:
Savouring the mostly uninterrupted, deep sleep that I’m currently being blessed with (I warned you there’d be more sleep talk, didn’t I?).
For My Practice:
Now that the morning sickness has mostly passed and I’m feeling more energized, I’m trying to get back into the swing of things like these newsletters.
My summer break ran longer than planned (good thing it’s called the “monthly-ish” newsletter), but the words are finally flowing again 📤
So meet me here again in November for the next one.
Until then…
Here’s wishing you a good night’s sleep in whatever position you land in,
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
