Do You Have the Right Pillow?
By Sara Butler
Seeing the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic regularly is an important part of your health and wellness routine, but there are many other things that contribute to your health and wellness too. One of those things is sleep -- not simply how much you get out of it, but how you do it too. You need sleep to stay healthy but you also need to support your body as you sleep adequately. Pillows are a big help in that department. The real question is: Do you have the right pillow? Here are some tips from the chiropractors at The Joint to help you understand if your pillow is the right one for continued health and wellness.
Your Sleep Posture
The right type of pillow for you depends upon the position in which you sleep. The goal of a pillow is to maintain your spine and head in alignment to help reduce the stress placed on the neck as you sleep. Pillows also help to reduce the stress on other joints such as shoulders, knees, and hips. So, the pillow you choose is dependent on the position in which you sleep.
For Back Sleepers
If you prefer to sleep on your back, which also happens to be one of the healthiest positions you can sleep in, then a medium-density pillow is what you should look for. A pillow that is too thick will raise your head too much. With a medium density pillow -- one that has a curved silhouette to help better support your neck -- will do the trick to support your head along with your spine. To make things even better, consider placing a pillow under your knees to further help reduce stress on your spine as you sleep.
For Side Sleepers
When you sleep on your side you must pay attention to the position of your head. The goal is for it to be in line with your spine and positioned between your shoulders equally. Since the human head can weigh quite a bit, over time many pillows will flatten -- so be diligent! Choose a firm and thick pillow to help fill the space between your neck and head. This should help to keep your head positioned correctly throughout the night. Add a pillow between your knees for extra support.
For Stomach Sleepers
The truth is that if you're a stomach sleeper, then you need to try to change it. It's a terrible sleeping position for the health of your spine. But until you're able to break the habit, opt for a thinner pillow that is soft to help reduce how much you must rotate your neck.
Sleeping in a healthy position may be a challenge for some, but it's nothing you can't tackle with the help of the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic. Ask them about your pillow choice and what you can do to improve your sleep.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.