This Is Why You Might Want To Stop Sleeping On Your Stomach

When it comes to sleeping positions, everyone is different.

While some can only sleep on their sides, others prefer falling asleep on their stomach - and if that sounds like you, listen up.

While sleeping on your front is said to help in combating snoring, according to the Mayo Clinic, it can also cause significant back pain.

This is because sleeping on your stomach often flattens your spine, which puts additional pressure on your back muscles.

It's also an awkward position for your neck, and according to spine specialist Paul Grous, this can often lead to neck or back pain between your shoulders.

In fact, back experts believe lying on your front is one of the worst possible sleeping positions when it comes to looking after your spine.

Rishi Loatey of the British Chiropractic Association told the Mail Online: "Sleeping on your front - lateral sleeping - is the worst possible position you can sleep in from a musculoskeletal point of view.

"In order to breathe comfortably, you have to lie with your head and neck almost fully rotated to one side for many hours."

But for those of us who find it difficult to fall asleep other positions, what's the answer?

Well, if you do want to sleep face down, try placing a pillow under your pelvis.

This helps take some pressure off your spine.

"If you can't sleep any other way, reduce the strain on your back by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen," advises the Mayo Clinic.

"Use a pillow under your head if it doesn't place too much strain on your back. If it does cause strain, try sleeping without a pillow under your head."