What Is The Best Pillow for Neck Pain?
By Sara Butler
If you suffer from neck pain or discomfort and you’re being seen by your chiropractor for it, there is something you can do to help you at home: Find a good neck pillow. When you have a well-designed pillow made specifically for your neck, it can make a world of difference on the condition that may be causing your pain! Here is how you can choose the best pillow for your neck.
Your Sleeping Position
The kind of pillow you need will be heavily influenced by the way you sleep at night. There are advantages and disadvantages to every sleeping position when it comes to neck pain. The most important thing you can do is choose a pillow that supports your neck the best based on your preferred sleeping position.
- Back sleeping – Back sleeping is generally regarded as a good position for the health of your neck and back. This is assuming that you have a good mattress and supportive pillow, however. The goal of a good pillow and good mattress is to keep your spine and neck in proper, neutral alignment as you sleep.
- Side sleeping – Many people sleep on their sides. It is beneficial to people with acid reflux or who snore and for women who are pregnant to increase circulation. You will need to make some changes to your pillow when you sleep on your side because the height between the bed and your neck increases. Special cervical pillows are the best for this position since they allow for more support in this position.
- Stomach sleeping – This is generally considered the worst position for sleep when it comes to the health of your neck and spine. It reduces the curve in your lower back, which can cause pain, and it strains your neck since you will have your head turned all night to breathe. If you can’t break the habit of sleeping on your back, you certainly need to invest in special pillows to help support your neck as well as your lower back.
Choosing a Neck Pillow
The reality is you will probably need more than one neck pillow to accommodate your sleeping positions since many people switch positions throughout the night. You will want pillows with special contours to help ease muscle strain and reactive pillows that change in order to accommodate the different sleeping positions. You should ask your chiropractor what characteristics to look for in a pillow that will help keep your neck in a more neutral and healthy position as you sleep. They know you and your specific needs, so they can give you good advice.
You need to realize that the type of pillow you have when sleeping can often mean the difference between waking up refreshed and rested or waking up with a neck cramp. Investing in a good pillow means investing in your health, so don’t be afraid to do your research and invest some money in the right pillow!