Yes, your sleeping position can be the cause of neck pain.
When you have neck pain it could be difficult to fall sleep. Many things can affect your neck pain and actually make it worse. For example, sleeping on your stomach can increase neck pain. What are two sleeping positions that are easiest on the neck structures? Sleeping on your side, and sleeping on your back. If you sleep on your back you should try to sleep on a contoured neck pillow because this naturally supports the curve of your neck which is like the shape of the C. You can also use a neck roll which is just a cylindrical fiber or memory foam roll.
Another great sleeping position is sleeping on your side. Again you want to try to sleep with something that provides cervical support for your neck.
There are lots of different types of pillows available on the market today that support side and back sleeping. For example feather pillows, memory foam pillows, traction pillows, and even water pillows. Different pillows work for different people. So for example a feather pillow works great for some people because it’s just a softer type of material to get used to but it can collapse easier over time so he needs to be replaced quicker as well.
Some people have a preference for memory foam pillows because these type of pillows conform to the shape of your head onion and your neck. The foam used in these pillows can be hard to get used to, and sometimes there is an odour attached to these pillows. Many people really prefer these memory foam pillows because they allow for proper spinal alignment.
One thing you should avoid is using a pillow that is too high for your neck because what happens is it can it can create a forward head posture. No matter if you sleep on your back or side, you will wake up with neck pain in this scenario. That is why it is important to use a pillow that is the right size for your head and neck. Avoid using a pillow based on the size of your mattress. Buy a pillow based on your height and weight.
One more point to make is that when you are traveling such as in a plane or in a car or even just sitting in a recliner to watch TV or read a book pay attention to the neck position. Using a horse shaped or C shaped pillow can allow for a great support of the neck and also prevent your neck from falling to one side or the other should you fall asleep.
As we mentioned before, sleeping on your stomach is not recommended. This position contorts your neck into an unnatural position and puts a lot of pressure on the vertebrae and the nerves in your spine which can create neck pain and stiffness and overall bad posture which can last for years.
Getting the right pillow and then sleeping in the right position is very important for good sleep and a healthy neck. Period.
Source: Say “good night” to neck pain
Additional Reading:
- Should I used my curvy contoured neck pillow or my flat one?
- Why Neck Pain Support is Very Important to a Healthy Neck and Phenomenal Sleep
- Simple Things you Can do For Better Sleep
- Pillow Focus on the Arc4life Traction Pillow
- Burning Pillow Q & A
- A Travel Pillow that You can Use in Many Ways for Your Neck and Back
