Sleeping with the proper pillow can do a lot to avoid neck pain and help you get a good night’s sleep. We spend a good portion of our lifetime in bed. The average person spends approximately a third of their lifetime in bed. It is important to maintain good posture to avoid neck problems, including when we sleep. One of the major reasons for neck pain is when the head or neck is twisted or bent too far for a long period of time. If you wake up with neck pain, it could be because of the position you were sleeping in or because your pillow is not providing good support.
Sleeping on your stomach is the absolute worst position to sleep in. You must turn your head to breathe. This can result in strain of the muscles of the neck and cause misaligned spinal bones. Sleeping on your back or side with a good pillow can help to avoid this. Using a proper pillow is important to help maintain the natural curve that should exist in the neck.
Another cause of neck problems is when people read or watch television in bed in the wrong position. You should not prop yourself up on several pillows with your head bent forward. This is a common mistake that can result in neck problems. It is important to sit straight up with the head back. The head should be kept in a neutral position to avoid strain on the neck or cervical spine.
If you are a side sleeper, it is important to use a pillow that is the right thickness. The pillow should fill the space between your ear and the bed. It should not be too thick, causing your head to tilt to the side. If it is too thin, it may strain the muscles of the neck. If you like to sleep on your back, the pillow should be the right thickness to prevent your head from tilting forward or back. Orthopedic pillows often have a curve design to provide a place for the head to sit. This helps to support the natural curve in the neck.
Many people report having reduced neck pain and an improved night’s sleep using a water filled pillow. These are a good option because you can choose the amount of support that they give to provide the amount of support you need. The more water you add, the firmer the pillow becomes and the more support it gives.
There are multiple pillows to choose from. It is important to pick a pillow that is comfortable and that will provide proper support for your neck. This is not the same for every person. The important thing is that the pillow keeps the head and neck in a neutral position to maintain the proper structure of the neck.
Nathan E Leavitt
