Pillow Between knees

9 Benefits of Sleeping With a Pillow Between Your Knees

Written by Nectar Editorial Team

Medically reviewed by Nectar Editorial Team

Last Updated on Jul 29, 2025

In this Article:

Pillow for your knees? It may sound slightly absurd. But hear us out! Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can fetch you many health benefits and even ensure you wake up without aches. That’s not all! A pillow between your knees also offers unmatched comfort, making your snooze time peaceful. Read ahead to understand all the ways and benefits of sleeping with a pillow between your knees.

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Can Improve Spinal Alignment

When you sleep on your side, pressure is exerted on your hips and shoulders. You may not feel it at that moment as you are fast asleep, but when you wake up, you may experience aches and pains. However, when you keep a pillow between your knees, it helps with your spinal alignment. Also, it can be super comfy!

Can Alleviate Lower Back Pain

Sleeping or waking up with back pain is no fun at all! It can make it difficult to fall asleep and even negatively influence your productivity. Here, switching to your side can make a difference. But what’s even better is sleeping with a pillow in between your legs. It can reduce your lower back pain by decreasing pressure.

May Improve Sleep Posture

While sleeping, when you don’t maintain a sense of symmetry, it can negatively impact your spine over time. This is why you need a proper sleep posture. And here, sleeping on your side with pillows between your knees can help with the natural spinal alignment.

Can Relieve Muscle Cramps

Have you ever woken up from a cramp? Studies have shown that almost 6% of US adults suffer nighttime cramps. This usually occurs due to an awkward sleep position. Here, comfort is the key. Sleeping with a pillow between your legs can help you out.

Can Improve Blood Circulation

Sleeping on your side can be excellent for you. In fact, when you sleep on the left side, it helps with blood flow to your heart. And the blood your heart pumps out is well-circulated. If you have ever woken up with tingles in your leg, it can be because of restricted blood circulation. Elevating the leg slightly and sleeping with a pillow between your knees can help.

May Open Up Airways

Did you know? Sleeping on your back can worsen sleep apnea. So, the best position for you is to opt for side sleeping. And as aforementioned, sleeping with a knee pillow on the side can also help with your spinal alignment, which can help open up the airways.

Reduces Pressure on Hips

When you sleep on your side with pillows, it reduces the unwanted pressure on your hips. Also, it ensures that you avoid awkward postures. It also prevents your torso from twisting negatively.

Can Improve Herniated Disc Pain

herniated disk can lead to severe pain in your nerves and causes discomfort. Here, you may derive some relief from a pillow between your legs as you sleep on your side.

Keep You From Rolling Over

Sometimes, you may have had to choose to sleep on your side for your health. So, let’s say you are a back sleeper. And recently, you have switched to sleeping on the side. Having a pillow between your legs can offer the support you need and keep you from rolling over to another side.

Benefits of knee pillows while pregnant

Sleeping on your back is difficult when you are pregnant, especially after crossing your first trimester. Here, sleeping on your side can be beneficial. But should I put a pillow between my knees? The answer is yes. Let’s look at all the benefits of knee pillows while pregnant and what does putting a pillow between your legs do.

Provides Support 

The most important thing when trying to sleep during pregnancy is comfort and support. When you opt for a pillow between your knees, it does more than that. It keeps you cozy and helps you combat pain and opt for a peaceful shut-eye.

Helps With Spinal Alignment 

Using a knee pillow can ensure your legs align appropriately with the hips and keep the spine in a more neutral position. This prevents any aches and helps you enjoy a comfortable sleep. It is advised that you sleep on your left side.

Reduces Pain and Pressure 

Finally, sleeping on your side reduces unwanted pressure from your hips and shoulders and ensures you wake up without aches or pains in the morning.

Steps to Properly Sleep With a Pillow Between Your Knees

Now that you are well aware of all the incredible benefits of sleeping with a pillow between your knees let’s see the proper steps to achieve the same. 

  1. First, lie down on your side and bend your knees slightly towards your chest. 
  2. Use a firm knee pillow between your knees to raise your upper thigh to maintain a proper alignment. 
  3. If your pillow is too thin, you can also use two. 
  4. Finally, if there is space between your waist and bed, you can keep a rolled-up towel or a small pillow for added comfort. 

Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can be beneficial for you. It keeps your pelvis and spine in a neutral position and can help relieve aches and pains. Try it out tonight! 

This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keeping a pillow under your knees can be good for you as it helps maintain the proper curve of your spine, prevents aches and pains, and removes any pressure from the hips.

Yes, you can use a regular pillow as a knee pillow.

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