Best Sleep Position? Back Pain, Snoring, Sleep Apnea

When you sleep, you need to focus on your breathing, your spine, and your circulation, and there are some counterintuitive tricks that can help you sleep better, breathe better, and get the most for your recovery. Hope you find this helpful! Please let me know in the comments if you have questions or suggestions. - Lucas @ YOGABODY

I tried the Fowler's position when my headache problems were very serious and it helped me a lot, at that time I didn't know the reason of my headaches were my neck since I didn't have neck pain and doctors couldn't figure out why I had so terrible headaches. That sleeping position literally saved my life.

I used to sleep on the side and it was terrible, stomach aches, shoulder pain and constantly waking up, now I sleep lying flat and I sleep like a King.

I’ve had one of those adjustable beds for years now, and it’s made a great, positive difference in my sleep apnea. I basically sleep in a steep Fowler’s position with raised back and legs, as if in a bowl. My face facing the wall instead of the ceiling. Even learned to lay on my side in that angle (though I rarely sleep on the side). I can’t recommend it enough!

ok, I am totally blown away by your clarity, accuracy, and evidence-based scientific basis. Thank you.

Hi, thank you for your helpful video. I am 87 with Rheumatoid ArthritIs and suffer painful joints and muscles almost everywhere. I have an adjustable bed and when I saw this video I said I am going to try that tonight. This morning I woke with less pain in my shoulders, my worst trouble, and elsewhere. I also slept a straight 5 hours without waking, even got back to sleep again till morning. Wonderful. With having replaced knees I did find the foot raise part of the bed did not work so well so I used a small bolster under my knees which let my legs drop down from my knees. So thanks again, I shall definitely try to continue to sleep in this position and I have slept on my side all my life.😄😄😄

I came across your video accidentally and I'm so glad that I did. I have always found that sleeping with my head elevated felt so much more comfortable than flat on my back or on my side. But I was told that this wasn't healthy for circulation. I'm relieved to hear that it's a good sleep position because nothing else works for me.

So glad I found your videos. They are informative and to the point. And I am interested the entire video. I have had cancer, half a lung removed and side effects from chemo and immune therapy. The video on breathing was just what I needed. I have been sleeping in a recliner and thought sleeping on your side was bad, but I always slept on my side. I have slept on the couch on my side and sometimes I am okay and sometimes I return to the recliner. I can't wait to watch more videos.

Great sleep position tips-thank you! I’m all over the place at night, usually start on my side. Considering a long narrow pillow behind my back to stabilize the position.

My 10 year old always sleeps in the fowler position. Good to know that it can help with sleep apnea. Thank you.

I refrained from sleeping on my back because of sleep apnea. Now i have a Cpap machine, so I feel much better even on my back.

I usually sleep on my side but I’m too skinny and have wide shoulders so I always end up collapsing forward while hugging my pillow. It was a very comfy sleeping position that allowed me to sleep like a log when I was a kid. Now I’m 21 with all sort of shoulder and chest problems 😢 Never knew sleeping positions can have such a great effect on the body

I’m a back sleeper and recently started to have troubles. Will definitely give fowler position a try!! Glad I found this video 😊

people used to sleep in this position before the 19th century, there's a great Amsterdam museum where Rembrandt's bed is showcased same angle(except the reason they used to sleep this way was they were paranoid to die at night)

Thanks for this. I've been struggling with sleep, so I'll definitely try this out.

Thanks. I have two sleeps in my daily routine (biphasic) -- my first one is on a recliner, almost fully reclined, but after watching this vid, I see it is quite close to the Fowler's position -- and it is very relaxing and comfy and easy to get to sleep. According to my Garmin watch, it's always very stress-free and adds to my "body battery" status as I rest quite well. But in bed, even with a pillow wedged under my mattress to raise the top end a little, I definitely sleep with more stress and less rest. I found a full wedge to be too "high" but I will experiment with having it a bit lower and having my knees above flat too. I do seem to relax most in bed when side-sleeping.

I started sleeping on my back 5 yrs ago after an accident when I broke several ribs and an arm and leg. I sleep much better now and I’m pain free every morning. When I used to sleep on my side I used to wake up 5 times and was exhausted in the mornings .

Thanks a lot - I'll try this immediately! I snore and I have pain in both my neck and lower back...

Thank you! This is very helpful. I have bad neck and hip pain that makes me toss and turn when I try to sleep on my sides, but have trouble breathing if I sleep on my back. I will give the Fowler a try.

I wanted to thank you so much for explaining very well and breaking down every part in your exercises. Despite not suffering for most of your problems you're dealing with and being familiar with yoga and breathing techniques, after having watched all your videos and put into practice some new exercises I discovered thanks to you, I feel an improvement in sports and many other daily activities.