Your Pillow and your Neck Pain
23rd Nov 2011 Newsletter
Is you pillow contributing to your neck pain or poor quality of sleep?
Approximately one-third of our lives are spent in bed, so watching what position you sleep in is extremely important to maintaining a healthy spine.
Recent Australian research showed that, nearly one in four Australians (24%) had used painkillers to get to sleep, while 12% had used sleeping tablets and 9% had used other drugs or medicine. The research also found that 40% of Australians suffer back pain during the day, at night or wake up with back pain.
Poor spinal health can adversely affect sleep. Chiropractic cares for spinal problems that can prevent a good night’s sleep. Through their minimum five years full-time university training, chiropractors are equipped to provide specialist advice on a range of sleep topics including sleeping posture, mattress and pillow selection, nutrition and exercise.
What makes a good pillow for you?
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If you sleep on your back, the pillow you choose must be able to induce a slight stretch on your neck in order to optimally support your neck’s progressive curve. |
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If you sleep on your side, the pillow you choose must be high but soft enough to give your head a leveled position while keeping your neck straight in alignment with your spine. The pillow must not cause your neck to curve or tilt upwards or downwards. The pillow must allow your neck to rest at a level that keeps the vertebrae in your neck aligned with your spine. |