A posture expert has urged people to avoid a ‘car crash’ of a sleeping position – warning of the secret damage it does to the body overnight.
James Leinhardt, from Manchester, went viral on TikTok last month when he told his 450,000 followers that they should avoid lying on their stomachs overnight.
In a video that has amassed over 3.6m ‘likes’, the expert demonstrated the position – which involves pulling one knee up towards your stomach and tucking your arms on either side of the pillow.
Explaining all the ways it is putting strain on the body, James said: ‘You’re rotating your neck, you’re twisting it.
‘You’re putting your head up and you’re fighting all the natural curves of your spine.
James Leinhardt, from Manchester, went viral on T ikTok last month when he blasted this ‘car crash’ of a sleeping position
‘You’re compressing your vertebrae. You’re getting pins and needles, neck pain and back pain.’
The expert – who has spent a decade working with critically injured and chronically ill patients to improve their sleep – added: ‘And you still do it every night. Why?!’
Nick then used a model skeleton to demonstrate the effects the popular sleeping position has on the body.
He said: ‘It’s not comfy, it’s just what you’re familiar with. It’s just what your body is used to.’
Nick captioned the clip: ‘The worst sleeping position award goes to… stomach sleeping.’
Since it was posted on 30 April, Nick’s video has amassed over 50m views – and users had mixed feelings about his advice.
‘It’s comfy in the beginning,’ one said. ‘Morning is full of regrets though.’
Another added: ‘Not gonna lie, that’s the best sleeping position but also now my neck hates it.’
The posture expert – who has 10 years of experience in this field – warned that this sleeping position puts pressure on the neck, shoulders and back
The expert joked that it deserved the ‘worst sleeping position award’. His video has amassed over 50m views
‘Makes me sleepy just seeing it,’ a third said.
Meanwhile, a fourth added: ‘Then why does it feel so good????’
Nick then filmed a follow-up clip after one viewer commented: ‘Fine. Then how SHOUD I sleep?’
In his second video, the expert – who is the founder of sleep brand Levitex – blasted the ‘car crash’ of a sleeping position and suggested an easy alternative.
He said: ‘Okay so you all hate me because I’ve insisted on you stopping this.’
In a follow-up video, Nick suggested an alternative way that will make your body feel supported without any strain
However, the clips divided social media users – with many pointing out that the ‘car crash’ position ‘feels so good’
In order to relieve the pressure on your body, Nick urged people to place their pillow between the ‘tip of your ear and the tip of your shoulder’.
He continued: ‘The second thing you’re going to do is a put a pillow between your knees and ankles.
‘That’s going to support and stablise this hip and keep you feeling safer – and you’re less likely to bring that leg over.’
Finally, Nick urged people to hug a third pillow to their chests during the night.
He said: ‘You’re going to de-weight that top shoulder. Hug it and, again, you’re more stable and less likely to roll over.’
Nick ended the video by urging his followers to try his method for at least 30 minutes.
He added: ‘If you don’t like it or it doesn’t work out, go back to that car crash of a sleeping position and start again tomorrow.’
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