Doctors warn stomach sleeping may trigger chest pain and breathing trouble, share safer sleep positions

One common position can strain ribs and airways

Doctors and sleep experts say sleeping on your stomach can cause chest pain, breathing problems, and poor spinal alignment. They warn the posture may contribute to costochondritis, inflammation around the ribs and breastbone, by adding pressure to the chest and airways during sleep. Harvard Medical School and the Sleep Foundation point to side sleeping or well-supported back sleeping as healthier alternatives.