It is no fun to have neck pain disrupt your sleep at night. Sleepless night wrestling with pillows. Trying varied positions to get your neck comfortable enough to sleep. All this leaves one tired and often sore.
Quite often patients ask “what kind of pillow or mattress is best”? Unfortunately there is no ONE right answer. The RIGHT answer is the one where an individual feels most comfortable and sleeps the best.
Yes, a different mattress or pillow might make a difference…BUT if that was the case how was the person just fine (without neck pain) for months or years with that same mattress or pillow, only now to have issues. This is the keystone point behind no ONE right mattress or pillow.
Regardless, here are some suggestions that may help one sleep better…which is important to help the body feel rested.
1) Select a pillow type or thickness that supports your head and neck…BUT does not force (tilt) the neck up or lack substance such that you neck falls strongly into the mattress. So this might mean adding or subtracting a pillow, changing the thickness or both to get the neck comfortable.
2) Before rushing to buy that new contoured pillow you saw advertised, try a makeshift version at home 1st. Truly, this can save time and money. To do this, roll up a towel and place it inside the pillowcase near the bottom. The “roll” should fit in that gap between your shoulder and ear (if side sleeping) or your lower neck and skull (if sleeping on back). It may take a few attempts to find the right thickness (if this is right for you).
3) Consider doing neck range of motion exercises before bed. Often what makes people hurt is a lack of mobility such that the muscles and joints are stiff. If a person goes to be in a “stiff” state, the issue is likely to be exaggerated by morning after lack of moving over night. It seems so simple but by doing some easy active neck motions before bed can truly make a big difference.
No one wants to have another night’s sleep disrupted by neck pain…and they shouldn’t have to.
Curious about the next step to learn how to sleep without neck pain?
Then Click HERE for a FREE guide or Fill out this Quick Form asking for help to no longer live with neck pain that disrupts your sleep.