Answer: Sorry to hear that you were involved in a car accident. Neck pain resulting from a a car accident can cause neck stiffness, achiness, numbness and tingling and soreness when trying to sleep.Turning your head may be hard to do. Even getting into a comfortable postion at night can be difficult. Should you sleep on no pillows, or multiple pillows? Should you use a foam pillow, a fiber pillow, a water pillow or an adjustable neck pillow?
In the beginning you want to keep yourself most comfortable. Sleep on a pillow that will create the least pain as possible. Foam, fiber filler, water- whatever works, use it. For most people a memory foam type works best. Another type of pillow that works well is a water pillow. This type of neck pillow molds to your head and neck, accomodating your current injury. It helps to relieve pain and decreases discomfort. Immobilization is important in the beginning to prevent further injury. Your Dr may recommend a neck collar for this purpose. Do so, but use is temporarily only.
See your chiropractor especially if the pain is not going away. Use an ice pak at home in the beginning. This will help to decrease inflammation and provides an analgesic effect as well.
If you feel like you are doing better, start using a cervical support pillow that is contoured and gives you neck support. You may not able to use this the entire night, so use it for a little while. Allow your neck to get used to using a cervical support pillow. Hope this helps you out.
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