Avoid using a pillow that is too high or stiff, as it keeps your neck flexed at night and can cause pain and stiffness in the morning. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head. Research suggests that a pillow with good neck support can help relieve neck pain and improve rest. An important benefit of sleeping with a neck pillow is that it really helps to improve your posture while you sleep.
They can also improve sleep by relieving and supporting tight neck and shoulder muscles, increasing blood flow to the head. Bang says neck pain and stiff neck are the most common. Beyond that, you may experience problems with your entire spine twisting in the wrong way, which for a long time can create lasting damage, he adds. The Eli %26 Elm Pillow is uniquely shaped with a recessed shoulder center, designed to fit your body while sleeping on your side.
It adapts to the shoulders and provides the necessary support to reduce neck pain. The filling is a blend of latex and polyester fiber that provides enough strength to hold the head up. These pillows can also be used while sleeping in bed to help with your posture. They are usually not too big, which means they can keep your neck and head aligned while you sleep.
However, due to the ergonomic design, it is best to use them lying on your back, so if you sleep on your side, it may not be for you. The right pillow is essential to keep the neck in a supportive position with neutral alignment during sleep. Without proper pillow support, the intricate neck structures will become stressed, worsening any existing neck condition and causing neck pain or stiffness during the day. If you wake up stiff and sore and suspect that your pillow is to blame, the first step is to determine if you’re wearing the right model for your sleep style.
The best pillow for neck pain is one that is the right height, firmness and shape for your preferred sleeping position. While sleeping posture plays a key role in neck pain, it is also one of the best ways to prevent neck pain. The key is to find a pillow that is the right height and firmness for the person’s size, sleeping position, and personal preferences. To relieve neck stiffness and pain caused by a bad pillow, look for one that helps create natural alignment along the body, including supporting the natural curvature of the head and neck, experts say.
The pillow features a core made of shredded memory foam that can be adjusted to achieve a height that is most comfortable for you. Without a good night’s rest, you’re likely to have an unproductive day and even wake up with back or neck pain. For example, people who sleep on their side generally need a pillow of medium to high height, while people who sleep on their stomach require lower pillows so as not to stretch their necks upwards. Another option is to try to place the pillow under the forehead so that the nose rises off the mattress, and the head and neck can remain in a more neutral position.
A rolled towel or pillow in the form of a roll should be placed under the neck and supplemented with a pillow for the head. But is the one that you currently rest on is the best thing for your body? It may not be if you have neck pain or wake up with a stiff neck. The best pillow for neck pain depends on many things, including the sleeping position, the cause of neck pain and what is comfortable for you. We’ll walk you through the most important considerations, including how to choose the best material, shape and thickness for your individual sleep style.
If you sleep on your side, you can find a neutral pillow or a specially designed neck pillow that gives you neck support and head alignment. The American Chiropractic Association notes that neck pain often goes hand in hand with high levels of stress and obesity
