Okay, So I get this question a lot. Should I use a regular flat pillow for sleeping or should I use a pillow that has specific contours aka- a cervical support pillow (or a contoured neck pillow) ? I am here today to make the case to my readers that using a cervical support pillow has many benefits especially if you have trouble sleeping and especially if you suffer from neck pain (chronic or acute).
- Better Alignment of the head and neck
- Less chance of waking up with a stiff neck
- Less chance of snoring
- Better breathing and enhanced circulation
- Relief of neck pain and tingling in the arms and hands
- Overall better posture during the day
- Promotes deeper sleep
- Relief from chronic neck pain, especially neck pain from arthritis in the neck
- More comfort for sleeping on your back or on your side

Choosing the
right contoured neck pillow for you- that is another blog post altogether. I will say this- different neck pillows provide a different function. Some neck pillows are built for support, some allow for traction while sleeping, others are designed for comfort in a certain sleeping position. Then you get into the different materials that are available for neck pillows these days: foam, buckwheat, polyester fiber fill, water? Who knew? Just like when you go to the store and try to pick out a tooth paste. Do I want one that whitens, fights tartar, fights cavities, makes my teeth stronger- or one that just tastes better? The same thing applies to the neck pillow that you choose for sleeping. We
sleep approximately 1/3rd of our life, so this choice is important. In the next blog post, I will review a few some of my favorite contoured neck pillows. In the meantime, think about what you want in your neck pillow. - NJ
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