Your Pillow and Chiropractic Can Help Your Neck Pain
By Paul Rothbart
One of the most common and irritating problems you can experience is neck pain. Whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down, you feel it. It makes it hard to work, play, or sleep. Even just trying to relax and read or watch TV can be nearly impossible. The best way to deal with pain is to find the cause and fix it. There are several things that can cause neck pain. One of them is how you sleep and your pillow can have a big impact on that.
Sleep Position
Sleeping on one's stomach tends to be the worst on your neck. If you experience neck pain, it's best to sleep on your side or back. Choose whichever is most comfortable. The most important part of sleep position with regards to your neck is for it to be straight. You want your entire spinal column to be lined up, all the way through the neck. Curvature in the neck vertebrae can compress them or cause a subluxation. Either of these problems can cause lasting pain and can also worsen over time, especially if you continue to sleep in a poor position.
Your Choice of Pillow
Pillows provide comfort but they also have the important job of supporting your head. Your choice of pillow can have the biggest impact on your neck position. A pillow that is too firm angles your head up and if it's too soft, your head angles down. Either of these positions causes the curvature you are trying to avoid.
A memory foam pillow is a good type to try. They conform to the shape of your head and neck and retain that level of firmness. They can hold your neck in a straight position consistently. Remember a pillow is a personal choice and has to suit your unique physiology. You certainly don't want my pillow.
Chiropractic Care
Sleeping better and finding the right pillow can be helpful in relieving neck pain but as there are other things that can cause it, getting some professional care is always a good idea. A chiropractor is trained to care for the entire spinal column, including the neck. Any subluxations or other problems can be found and adjusted. A chiropractor can also take care of your back and joints.
How you sleep and what kind of pillow you use can make a difference to neck pain. Consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. Seeing a chiropractor may relieve your neck, back, and joint pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.