Comment by TrispusAttucks

6 years ago

To maximize glymphatic toxin clearing the lateral sleeping position is currently recommended.

1. https://neurosciencenews.com/lateral-sleep-position-neurolog...

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524974/

14 comments

TrispusAttucks

Reply
ajmarcic  6 years ago

This study was done on anesthetized rodents. In conversation I've heard support for sleeping on one's side (laterally).

This doesn't suit me physically. My shoulders are too wide. I twist into horrible positions and hurt the following morning.

quickthrower2  6 years ago

That’s the side position. Lucky for me I sleep that way to make my head comfortable. I wonder if it is more refreshing to sleep that way too then?

  • teej  6 years ago

    If I sleep anywhere but my side, my throat tries it’s darndest to choke me to death, on behalf of the sleep apnea. So it works great for me!

  • flatiron  6 years ago

    Myself and all my three children from birth have been belly sleepers. Never slept a wink until they could turn themselves over since they make you put them on their backs. Always thought it odd.

m0zg  6 years ago

The position shown in the first link will eventually fuck up the shoulder though. Aim your arms downward if you're having shoulder problems.

  • Droobfest  6 years ago

    Any evidence to support this? A downward facing arm tends to be more internally rotated due to the weight on it, which is definitely a more prone position.

    • m0zg  6 years ago

      If a fucked up left shoulder counts as "evidence", sure. :-)

      Doctor prescribed an MRI and then suggested a surgery (with a minimum of 6 months of recovery). I declined. Turns out it was my sleeping position. I used to sleep pretty much exactly as shown, except towards the morning my arm would also go under the pillow, further straining the shoulder. Now when I sleep I extend the arm slightly downwards. This was sufficient to eliminate symptoms.

      Obviously this will vary based on anatomy. Do a simple experiment. Lay down in this position and see if you have tension in the shoulder joint. If you're muscular (I am), you will very likely feel it. That tension, applied 8 hours each night, will most definitely cause issues.