Do You Need a Cervical Neck Pillow?
By Sara Butler
The neck is a complex structure of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that all must work together in harmony. When something isn't working quite right, you may notice pain in your neck, shoulders, arms, and upper back -- pain that can keep you awake at night. You may be able to treat your neck pain with the help of a chiropractor and a special pillow called a cervical neck pillow. Here's what the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to know about neck pain and how to best support your neck at night while you sleep.
Your Neck
To understand how a special neck pillow may help you sleep, you must first understand how the different structures of your neck work together.
The upper portion of your spine that connects to your skull is named the cervical spine. The network of bones, tendons, muscles, and spinal discs between the spinal bones help to support and move your head. If you sleep on your neck wrong, then you may find it's stiff and painful the next morning. That's why the chiropractors at The Joint impress on their patients the importance of proper support and position when you sleep at night.
The Cervical Neck Pillow
A cervical neck pillow comes in many different shapes and sizes, but all have a curved designed that helps to keep your neck positioned neutrally as you sleep. Regular pillows can cause problems since they either tilt the head too far up or let it fall too far down, not helping it to maintain the all-important neutral position -- a position that helps to ensure your neck won't be strained but can relax as you sleep at night.
Are You Sleeping Right?
Sleep position can have a huge impact on the health of your neck. Sleeping on your stomach is a terrible position for the health of your neck since it forces you to twist your neck for hours at a time in order to help you breathe. Back sleeping is the position recommended by chiropractors. Sleep on your back with a cervical neck pillow and you may find you wake up in the morning rested and pain-free.
If you have issues with your neck, back, or other joints, consult a chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic today. They can help you break bad sleeping habits as well as eliminate any joint dysfunctions or restrictions that may be causing you pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fitchburg, Wis.