Sleeping with a Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain

When you look at how our bodies are made and how the spinal structure works, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. We’ve discussed before how it’s important to keep our spine healthy and maintain flexibility in our vertebrae and disks to prevent neck pain and back pain.

One way to keep your neck properly aligned is to sleep with a cervical pillow. A proper fitting cervical pillow can help you maintain the normal cervical curve while sleeping on your back, allowing your muscles and ligaments to relax and regain their normal length. This specialized pillow can also aid side sleepers by preventing unnatural bending in the neck. It will offer support where your traditional pillow will not. Your pillow should always support the back of your neck and the head.

A major benefit to sleeping with a cervical pillow is that it actually helps improve your posture while you sleep. They can also improve your sleep by relieving and supporting tense muscles in your neck and shoulders, increasing blood flow to your head.

It’s important to shop for the right size when purchasing a cervical pillow. It should bend and easily move to accommodate your head and neck. Memory foam pillows offer great pliability as well as fiber mixtures. You will find many choices, making it easy to find one to satisfy your preferences. Try different sizes to find the right one that won’t tilt your head back or lift it too high. Trial and error may be necessary. Note, you should NEVER feel any discomfort. If it doesn’t feel right, try a different size or density.

Maintaining your body’s natural alignment and positioning is key to staying neck and back pain free. If you wake up with neck pain or soreness, you might benefit from sleeping with a cervical pillow. If you try it and are still experiencing neck pain, call our office to schedule an exam. We will work with you to determine the cause and find a solution to ensure a pain free, restful night!