Neck Pain Support Blog

Neck Pillow Studies...

I was recently asked about any neck pillow studies showing the benefit of them that has literally been studied or reviewed.

Besides all the testimonials for them, or chiropractic research, or the chiropractic testimonials here's just a couple more recent ones:
1. JMPT 1998 May;21(4):237-40 Neck support pillows: a comparative study. Study concluded that a neck pillow can be used in treatment for neck pain

2. Neck pain and pillows – A blinded study of the effect of pillows on non-specific neck pain, headache and sleep Liselott Persson. 07/2009; 8(3):122-127. DOI:10.1080/14038190600780239 The opinion was that an ideal pillow should be soft and with good support for the neck lordosis. A specially selected and individually tested pillow with good shape, comfort and support to the neck lordosis can reduce neck pain and headache and give a better sleep quality.

3. International Journal of Rehabilitation and Research, 2008 Dec;31(4): Study showed neck pillows to significantly reduce sleep disturbances and provide a better nights sleep.

The way I see it however is to try it yourself, if it doesn't work, send it back! Don't waste time, get a neck pillow. You can't deny that the vast majority will do very well.

Also, you can think of it as common sense; if or spine is supposed to have a natural C-curve from the side profile and be straight when viewing from the front or back, shouldn't you use a neck pillow.

I can't remember if I had read a study about it but I remember hearing somewhere how weight lifters bench pressing were able to lift a little more when they used a towel roll under their neck to maintain the cervical curve. I remember thinking, that can very well make sense. The bottom line is that there is a benefit in using a neck pillow, even though it might just be a more restful nights sleep.

Consider Changing What You Sleep on If You Cannot Sleep: Check Your Pillow

Welcome to 2014 ! I Hopefully by now, you have set up your New's years goals and are working towards them. Like many Americans part of those goals may be something to do with your health. Losing some weight, eating less sugar, eating less processed foods, sleeping better, or maybe dealing with some kind of pain or health issue. 

Sleep is a great thing. If you sleep great every night, then you probably don't think much about sleep. However, if sleep doesn't come naturally- you need to make some changes. Maybe your room is too warm, too dry, not dark enough or maybe you just cannot get comfortable sleeping into a good position. One simple way to change that is to get  a new pillow. Change what you sleep on and it could make a difference in how you sleep. 

There are many neck pillows available on the market today. Let me give you an example of some pillows that may help you sleep better:

If you cannot get into a comfortable position, consider a contoured neck pillow such as the Arc4life linear gravity pillow. This neck pillow has two neck rolls it. It helps you get the proper neck support while you sleep. Another contoured neck pillow that has great success if the tri-core pillow - although this pillow is very firm to sleep on. Both pillows will help to align your cervical spine. This is important because it takes pressure off of nerves. Most importantly, make sure you are comfortable with any pillow. Don't choose a firm pillow if you do not like firm pillows. A softer support pillow is the Natural Alignment Pillow, another contoured neck pillow that is shaped like a bowtie on the bottom. 

If you need a special pillow because you get numbness and tingling into your arms and hands while sleeping, then consider the arc4life traction pillow. This neck pillow gently stretches your neck while you sleep. If you have been diagnosed with a bulging disc or pinched nerve in your neck or even degeneration or arthritis - then this is the pillow you want to consider. 

As with many things on the market, there are many choices. Getting the right pillow can be a learning process. You might  have to try a few before you find the right one. Give yourself a few days to a few weeks to test out a new pillow. Just make sure you are comfortable and able to get into a deep REM level of sleep. Don't worry, you will find the right pillow. Put it on your goal list for 2014. 

When you do, you will ask yourself, How did I ever sleep on anything else?

Contact us at the Neck Pain Support If you Need Help Changing Your Pillow. We will be happy to help you and guide you in finding the right support for you. 

  

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