How Sleeping on Pillows the Wrong Way for 21 Years Led to Permanent Spine Damage

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We've all been there. You wake up from what you thought was a restful night's sleep, only to find your body aching and your neck stiff. Most of us brush it off, attributing it to a 'bad sleep night'. But what if it's not just one bad night? What if the way you've been sleeping for years is the root cause of your discomfort?

For one Reddit user, this was her reality, as reported in a 2019 post. Every night was a test of pain tolerance. Despite suffering from severe spinal issues and spending thousands on chiropractic and physical therapy, the source of her agony was something most of us do without a second thought: sleeping with shoulders on the pillow.

After several neck injuries and a pinched nerve, I no longer can lift objects more than 10lbs. Most of quarantine I was practically bed ridden because the pain was so severe. My neck is beginning to loose its curve....

Today is the first day in my entire life that I’ve ever heard your shoulders don’t go on the pillow too! I’ve just been laying with my neck and shoulders flat on the pillow slowly flattening the spine in my neck for 21 years...

And after thirty minutes of historical laughter at the thought of not knowing how a pillow works, I realized that I really fucked up my life by using my pillow wrong and giving myself chronic pain. - Reddit User, 2019

Sleep, as it turns out, isn't just about closing our eyes and drifting off. It's a science. Each sleep position has its benefits and drawbacks. For instance:

• The fetal position, a favorite for many, can help reduce snoring and lower back pain. But if you're too curled up, you might wake up with joint stiffness and acid reflux (i.e., stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus).

• Sleeping on your stomach might help with snoring, but it can exacerbate neck and back pain.

• Sleeping on your back, i.e., the supine position, is a healthy way to sleep as it enables gravity to exert even pressure on your spine and allows for natural spinal curvature, as well as prevents acid reflux. But this position may worsen snoring and sleep apnea in some people.

Then there's the debate about pillows.

Michael Tetley, a physiotherapist, argues that pillows might be superfluous. He believes that our bodies, which evolved long before the invention of beds and pillows, might be more adapted to sleeping without them.

Dr. Andrea Hornstein, a chiropractor, warns that using a pillow incorrectly can lead to neck and back pain. If your pillow is too thick or too thin, it can push your neck into an uncomfortable angle, causing your neck muscles to work overtime and leading to morning soreness.

The Reddit user had been sleeping with both her neck and shoulders flat on the pillow for 21 years, which contributed to her spinal issues. It's a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of understanding our sleep habits.

So, what's the takeaway? Listen to your body. If you're waking up with consistent pain, it might be time to reevaluate your sleep position and pillow usage. And while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, being informed and making small adjustments can lead to better sleep and a healthier you.

In the end, sleep is one of life's sweetest pleasures. Whether you're a back sleeper, side sleeper, or somewhere in between, finding what works best for you is the key to waking up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.