Wondering if a pillow could help you sleep better? The benefits of sleeping with a pillow between your legs.

Pillows aren't just for your head. You can use pillows to support yourself below the waist, too. In fact, research suggests placing a pillow between the knees can relieve pain and lead to a more restful night's sleep. Ready to learn more? We spoke to the experts at Sleep Number to get the scoop on sleeping with a pillow between your legs.

The Benefits of Sleeping with a Pillow Between Your Legs

If you experience back pain, a pillow is a simple, affordable solution that may bring you some relief. Lying on your side in a fetal position with a pillow between the knees helps keep the spine neutral. Situating a pillow between your lower half helps keep the knees aligned on top of one another, which in turn keeps your hip and pelvic area aligned. It can also reduce stress on the hips: A firm pillow between the knees can prevent the upper leg from pulling the spine out of alignment.

The Drawbacks of Going Pillowless

Everybody's familiar with sitting posture. If you sit wrong all day, you feel it when you stand up. Though you may not pay much attention to it because you're off in dreamland, there's such a thing as correct sleeping posture, too. If you're in the wrong posture all night, in the morning you'll feel it. Brushing off sleep posture can leave you with pain, stiffness, and soreness. Lying on your side without a pillow between the knees could negatively affect spine health. Sleeping without proper support between the joints could overstretch or tighten muscles and ligaments and may place unnecessary stress on the joints.

Tips for Sleeping with a Pillow Between Your Legs

The best pillow for you comes down to preference, body type, level of activity on any given day, and other factors. You can:

• Choose a contoured pillow specifically designed to be placed between the legs as they tend to stay in place better. Typically, one-size-fits-all with contoured cut outs.
  
  

• Choose a firm enough pillow so the knees don't ever touch.
  
  

• Choose a pillow with down or down alternative filling so you can rearrange the contents to match exactly what you want that night.
  
  

• Choose a body pillow for full-body side-sleeping support.
  
  

• To find the pillow that’s just right for you, take Sleep Number’s free PillowFit^® quiz, or visit a Sleep Number^® store to find the right pillow for you. Getting a pillow fitted specifically to your body isn't just applicable to head, neck, and shoulder support. You should do the same thing if you're considering using a pillow below the waist too.
  

Like diet and exercise, quality sleep has a profound impact on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Because no two people sleep the same, Sleep Number 360^® smart beds, with SleepIQ^® technology, sense your movements and automatically adjust firmness, comfort and support to keep you both sleeping comfortably and provide proven quality sleep. Find your Sleep Number^® setting for your best possible night's sleep, and if you own a Sleep Number^® bed, log in to your InnerCircle℠ Rewards account to see your exclusive offers, refer friends and more.