Sleep is supposed to help the body recover after a long day, but doctors say the position a person sleeps in can sometimes create health problems instead of preventing them. While many people naturally sleep on their stomach because it feels comfortable or helps reduce snoring, health experts are now warning that the position may put pressure on the chest, spine, and breathing passages for several hours at a stretch. In some cases, doctors say it may even contribute to painful chest inflammation and breathing-related concerns over time.
A sleeping position that many people find comfortable may actually be putting pressure on the body in ways they do not realise. Doctors and sleep experts are warning that sleeping on the stomach, also called the prone or front-sleeping position, can lead to health problems ranging from chest pain and breathing issues to poor spinal alignment.
The warning comes after several medical experts discussed how stomach sleeping may affect the body over time, especially in people who already have breathing issues, poor posture, or sleep-related disorders.
He explained that “costo means ribs, chondros is for cartilage and it just means inflammation,” adding that the irritation can lead to “a sharp, stabbing chest pain.”
According to him, the pain can become worse while twisting the upper body, taking deep breaths, or pressing the chest area. He said sleeping on the stomach can trigger the issue because “the chest is compressed for hours and that pressure can irritate the rib and cartilage joints.”
The NHS also states that costochondritis can cause sharp pain in the front or side of the chest and that symptoms may worsen during movement, deep breathing, or lying down.
Doctors say stomach sleeping may become even more problematic when combined with heavy lifting, poor posture during the day, or existing muscle strain.
Research discussed in health reports noted that in certain cases, poor sleeping posture combined with airway obstruction may reduce oxygen delivery to the brain. Experts clarified that this concern is more serious for people with conditions such as sleep apnea or other breathing-related disorders.
Health experts explained that while sleeping, the brain carries out repair and waste-clearing functions. If breathing becomes restricted during sleep, the body may not get proper oxygen circulation, which over long periods could affect memory, cognition, and overall health.
However, experts also noted that the severe risks often discussed online may not apply to every healthy adult. The concern is mainly for people who already have underlying breathing or cardiovascular problems.
Dr. John Winkelman, a professor in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, explained that most people naturally change positions throughout the night during different sleep cycles.
He said side sleeping is generally considered one of the better positions for breathing because it helps keep the airway open. This can reduce snoring and may help people dealing with sleep apnea.
Harvard experts also noted that sleeping on the left side may help reduce acid reflux by making it harder for stomach acid to move into the esophagus during sleep.
At the same time, they warned that side sleeping can sometimes put pressure on the neck, hips, and shoulders, especially in people with joint issues.
But sleeping flat on the back may worsen breathing problems in people who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Dr Winkelman said that when people with sleep apnea lie on their back, the soft tissue in the throat can collapse backward and block airflow.
Pregnant women are also generally advised not to sleep flat on their back during later stages of pregnancy because of pressure on blood vessels and the spine.
The organisation noted that left-side sleeping may help with acid reflux, back pain, and sleep apnea, while back sleeping can provide better spinal support when done correctly.
Doctors also suggest using the right mattress and pillow support. Side sleepers may benefit from placing a pillow between their knees, while stomach sleepers who struggle to change positions are often advised to use firmer mattresses and thinner pillows to reduce neck strain.
Doctors stress that chest pain should always be taken seriously. The NHS advises people to seek medical advice if they suspect costochondritis, mainly because chest pain can sometimes signal more serious conditions involving the heart or lungs.
People are advised to seek emergency help if chest pain appears suddenly, spreads to other parts of the body, or is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, or severe discomfort.
A sleeping position that many people find comfortable may actually be putting pressure on the body in ways they do not realise. Doctors and sleep experts are warning that sleeping on the stomach, also called the prone or front-sleeping position, can lead to health problems ranging from chest pain and breathing issues to poor spinal alignment.
The warning comes after several medical experts discussed how stomach sleeping may affect the body over time, especially in people who already have breathing issues, poor posture, or sleep-related disorders.
Doctors warn against stomach sleeping
As per Unilad, Doctor Suraj Kukadia, known online as Dr Sooj, has explained on TikTok why sleeping on the stomach can contribute to a painful condition called costochondritis. The condition involves inflammation in the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone.He explained that “costo means ribs, chondros is for cartilage and it just means inflammation,” adding that the irritation can lead to “a sharp, stabbing chest pain.”
According to him, the pain can become worse while twisting the upper body, taking deep breaths, or pressing the chest area. He said sleeping on the stomach can trigger the issue because “the chest is compressed for hours and that pressure can irritate the rib and cartilage joints.”
The NHS also states that costochondritis can cause sharp pain in the front or side of the chest and that symptoms may worsen during movement, deep breathing, or lying down.
Doctors say stomach sleeping may become even more problematic when combined with heavy lifting, poor posture during the day, or existing muscle strain.
Breathing and oxygen concerns linked to sleep posture
Medical experts have also pointed out that sleeping face-down may affect breathing quality during sleep. Some reports suggest the position can reduce lung expansion and place pressure on the chest and abdomen.Research discussed in health reports noted that in certain cases, poor sleeping posture combined with airway obstruction may reduce oxygen delivery to the brain. Experts clarified that this concern is more serious for people with conditions such as sleep apnea or other breathing-related disorders.
Health experts explained that while sleeping, the brain carries out repair and waste-clearing functions. If breathing becomes restricted during sleep, the body may not get proper oxygen circulation, which over long periods could affect memory, cognition, and overall health.
However, experts also noted that the severe risks often discussed online may not apply to every healthy adult. The concern is mainly for people who already have underlying breathing or cardiovascular problems.
What Harvard experts say about sleeping positions
According to experts from Harvard Medical School, sleeping positions can affect conditions such as acid reflux, sleep apnea, joint pain, and breathing quality.Dr. John Winkelman, a professor in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, explained that most people naturally change positions throughout the night during different sleep cycles.
He said side sleeping is generally considered one of the better positions for breathing because it helps keep the airway open. This can reduce snoring and may help people dealing with sleep apnea.
Harvard experts also noted that sleeping on the left side may help reduce acid reflux by making it harder for stomach acid to move into the esophagus during sleep.
At the same time, they warned that side sleeping can sometimes put pressure on the neck, hips, and shoulders, especially in people with joint issues.
Is back sleeping better?
Back sleeping has its own advantages and drawbacks. Experts say it can help maintain spinal alignment and reduce pressure on joints. Some doctors recommend placing a pillow under the knees or lower back for additional support.But sleeping flat on the back may worsen breathing problems in people who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Dr Winkelman said that when people with sleep apnea lie on their back, the soft tissue in the throat can collapse backward and block airflow.
Pregnant women are also generally advised not to sleep flat on their back during later stages of pregnancy because of pressure on blood vessels and the spine.
What is the healthiest sleeping position?
According to the Sleep Foundation, side sleeping and back sleeping are usually considered the healthiest positions because they support spinal alignment and reduce pressure on muscles and joints.The organisation noted that left-side sleeping may help with acid reflux, back pain, and sleep apnea, while back sleeping can provide better spinal support when done correctly.
Doctors also suggest using the right mattress and pillow support. Side sleepers may benefit from placing a pillow between their knees, while stomach sleepers who struggle to change positions are often advised to use firmer mattresses and thinner pillows to reduce neck strain.
Doctors stress that chest pain should always be taken seriously. The NHS advises people to seek medical advice if they suspect costochondritis, mainly because chest pain can sometimes signal more serious conditions involving the heart or lungs.
People are advised to seek emergency help if chest pain appears suddenly, spreads to other parts of the body, or is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, or severe discomfort.
