Neck Pain Support Blog

Been comfortably sleeping on this pillow since 2014.....

One of the pillows that we love here at the Neck Pain Support Blog, because it offers great neck support is the arc4life cervical linear traction neck pillow. Since 2003 this pillow has been giving effective cervical support to patients with a herniated disc, neck pain, disc bulge, neck arthritis, occipital neuralgia, forward head posture and more.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Been comfortably sleeping on this pillow since 2014! Worth every penny!

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022 Size: Medium 24"x17" Color: White

Purchase I had my first stiff neck as a child. As an adult, I got at least a few per year. I bought this pillow in 2014 and have not had a stiff neck since! It’s been 8 years! I love this pillow and can not use anything else now. I take it with me when I travel, even if it’s only for a night. I know it’s expensive, but it’s worth it.- Lily

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No More Pain

Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2022 Size: Medium 24"x17"Color: White

I never knew such things existed but now I can say this truly is a magic potion for waking up with no back, shoulder and neck pain. I can even position myself just so to sleep on my side. It's very sturdy and clean and well packaged. I will never sleep on a crappy gelly like hot memory foam again. I'm pleased beyond words.- Carin

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Works well

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022 Size: Large 28"x17"Color: White

I feel like I’ve spent more money and wasted more time trying to find the perfect pillow than I’d like to admit. This is the one I’ve settled on for now. To me, it has the right combination of give and support, and there are multiple positions to use depending on if you side sleep, sleep on your back, etc. I’ve been pretty satisfied with this pillow and will probably look around at what else is out there when it’s time for a new one, but I easily could end up purchasing another one of these. Overall, I’m pretty pleased with this one. - Ben

Arc4life Cervical Traction Neck Pillow

Traction Pillow Vs Gravity Pillow Vs TriCore Pillow

Lots of fiber pillows on the market today, and today I had a very nice woman call me to help her decide which pillow to choose. The Arc4life Traction Pillow vs the Arc4life Gravity Pillow vs the Tri Core Pillow. Also, she was concerned about the size of pillow that would be best for her. She mentioned that she had some balance and dizziness issues and neck soreness. She was going to PT for neck pain treatment. Nothing was really helping and she was considering changing her pillow. 

Choosing the right size is actually the easiest decision to make. Either it is going to be small medium or large. This decision should be based on ones height and weight. See the chart below. This particular patient was 5'3" and weighed 135 lbs. For her, I recommended a medium size (Standard 24"x17").

So the next question becomes, what type of firmness does one prefer in their pillow?

If someone likes a firm pillow, then my recommendation is the tricore pillow (either the gentle or the firm version). The fiber in this pillow is densely packed into the pillow, making it a very firm pillow. Also the fiber is machine blown in, also creating a more dense pillow that is more firm to lay on. 

If someone does not like a firm pillow,then the choice is between the arc4life traction pillow or the arc4life gravity pillow. These two pillows have a lot more "give" than the tricore pillow.

If a patient has a lot going on in their neck, for example:

• herniated disc
• bulging disc
• headaches (migraine or tension)
• forward head posture
• lack of curve
• chronic neck pain
• whiplash
• occipital neuralgia
• cervical sprain

Then the best pillow is going to be the arc4life traction pillow. This pillow offers two different sleeping surfaces- a traction v side (for gentle neck stretching) and a support side (a neck roll). 

Finally, if a patient is looking for just a great cervical support pillow, the arc4life gravity pillow is a great option.

This pillow has two neck rolls on it. One broader, one more narrow. These neck rolls are designed to allow for the natural curvature of your cervical spine. Great for side and back sleeping:

This pillow comes in a small, medium and large size and again it is important to choose the right size to sleep on. The arc4life gravity pillow has been a big seller since in the 1980's and is still a very popular choice for many of our customers. An oldie but a Goodie, like we say here at Arc4life. For both the arc4life gravity and traction pillows, the fiber is hand stuffed into each pillow, and the fiber is softer and easier to adjust too.

Additional Reading:

• I just received my NEW Pillow... and HELLO, its nothing like my OLD pillow
• Do you have a Closet Full of Pillows?
• A Pillow that Gives you Neck Support - not just in times of Pain
• The Pillow for Alleviating Neck Pain
• Frozen Shoulder Fix..not for the Faint of Heart

 

Why or Why NOT - A Case for the Arc4life Traction Pillow

We've been getting some nasty comments on facebook. Facebook seems to draw an interesting group I noticed. People have nothing better to do than leave a foul mouthed comment on our pillow. They use the F word to comment on a pillow that they have never used or tried....It's not cool. But hey, its a free world, say what you want to say.

It's a pillow. That's all. We think its a pretty special pillow and here are the advantages and disadvantages to ordering this pillow.

 

The Plussess and Minuses of the Arc4life Traction Pillow:

 

The Plusses ➕:

- The arc4life traction pillow can help you sleep better 💤- not only that, but it can help you fall asleep too

- It can help relieve neck pain (Chronic and acute)

- It works well with doing neck traction during the day. You can use a posture pump or another traction unit during the day

- The traction pillow is not rock 🧗 hard- it is very comfortable once you get used to it

- The arc4life traction pillow has 2 surfaces - a traction side and a support side. So it stretches your neck and its gives support too. Choose which side you want to sleep on

- You can sleep on your back and on your side with this pillow. 

- This pillow can help with headaches, occipital neuralgia, disc herniation, disc bulge, and neck arthritis

- It ships all over the world to countries like Canada 🍁, Singapore 🇸🇬, Australia 🇦🇺, and the UK 🇬🇧. This is a pillow that been around awhile since 2003.

- The arc4life traction pillow comes in 3 sizes and 2 levels of firmness: Small, Medium, and Large. Ordering the right size is very important

- You don't need a prescription from your Doc 👩‍⚕️ to get this pillow

- It is made right here in the USA

- There is no latex, foam or questionable materials in this pillow

 

 

The Minuses ➖

- There may be an adjustment period for using this pillow

- The arc4life pillow is a little more costly than a pillow you would buy at a walmart, bed bath and beyond or a target 🎯 (they have great pillows too)

- The arc4life traction pillow will wear down after time because it is composed of polyester fiber fill

- You cannot use the traction side of the pillow if you have had a recent neck fusion surgery 🏥

- You cannot try the pillow out at a store 🏬 before buying. This is only sold online and in select chiropractic, physical therapist, pain clinics and osteopathic offices

- If you don't order the right size, it can cause more pain and discomfort

 

Links for More Reading:

1. What is a good way to relieve neck pain if you have chronic pain?
2. For some people, even after 18 months the pillow does not work
3. How to Make a Neck support at home by yourself that can relieve neck pain
4. I have severe debilitating cervical neck pain....
5. The arc4life traction pillow on amazon 

 

 

Why Looking At Your Mattress Size is No Way to Order a Pillow

 Just today, my two year old,  fell into the toilet. We thought it was pretty funny - but It was too big for her. She still needs a smaller training toilet seat and will need one for a few more months. It's tough ordering the right size of anything - No matter it it's a pair of shoes, a shirt, a belt, and the same thing goes for a pillow.

For me personally, I sleep on a king size mattress, with a standard medium size pillow. Being about 5'5 and 125 lbs, the medium size of the arc4life traction pillow is perfect for my height and weight. 

If I was to say, order the large size pillow which is 28"x17" for the arc4life traction pillow, that pillow would be too big for me. Could I say that the pillow would look better on my bed. Yes, perhaps. But this is my SLEEPING pillow. The pillow I use every night to help me fall asleep and to stay asleep. A pillow that is too large, would actually push my head into a forward position, which would cause forward head posture - something a teen who is 24-7 on their phone might experience, but NOT ME. I don't want to to have neck pain, stiffness, no movement in my neck and have bad neck and shoulder posture. 

Conversely, if you are a petite individual or you have a short neck, or you are ordering a pillow for your teen or toddler, order them a smaller pillow. Again, the right support is always better than TOO MUCH Support. Let's say, you are a basket ball player, work out - for you the large pillow might be the best type of pillow. You know that's why there are stores like BIG AND TALL - I would never shop there because I would be swimming in those clothes, but for some people that is what they need. You want to feel good in the clothes that you are wearing- so wear the right size when you are able too. Well same goes for your pillow. A 6 ft person, may do better with a larger size of pillow. A 4 ft person may do better with a small size of pillow.

Another great type of pillow, is one that you can adjust yourself. The pillow may be overall a standard size, but you have the capability of adding or removing the material inside, usually foam or fiber. This can make a huge difference in how you feel when you lay on the pillow. Test it, sleep on it, and experiment. Waking up a little sore is okay when you are testing out a new pillow. But you will know when a pillow is too much or too little for you. Trust your neck and your body and make the changes you feel you need to make to get that good night of sleep.

With all the above being said, there are always going to be exceptions to the rules. You know your body, order what feels the most comfortable. Try when you can to order based on your frame size, your height and your weight. Your neck will feel better when you fall asleep and you won't wake up with a headache, stiffness, neck pain or other unpleasant side effects that can happen when you sleep on the wrong size of pillow.

Additional Reading:

• Why Sleeping on Pillows that Are Too Big Are so Injurous to Your Neck
• The Neck Pain Support Group on Facebook #neckpainsupport
• More detailed information about the arc4life traction pillow that comes in small, medium and large sizes
• For the Person who needs the smaller pillow
• A pillow designed for neck pain issues

 

 

 

I have chronic neck stiffness .What is a good way to relieve pain and stiffness?

I recently got this question about chronic stiff neck: 

Dear Neck Pain Support, 

I have chronic neck stiffness .What is a good way to relieve pain and stiffness?

- Raj

Dear Raj,

Great question. So many people suffer with a stiffness in their necks that they have had for a long time. My advice to you is to do regular neck exercises.

Doing these exercises can really help your mobility in your cervical spine. You have work at this everyday and start very slowly. Otherwise you will just aggravate your neck and cause more stiffness and pain.

You can do these neck exercises in the shower when you first wake up in the morning. It involves gentle movements in 6 directions. You must do all of it very gently. 

1. Very gently bring your head forward (chin to your chest), hold for 5–10 seconds
2. Then bring your head back (look up to the ceiling), hold for 5–10 seconds.
3. Bring your right ear to your right shoulder, hold for 5–10 seconds
4. Bring your left ear to your left shoulder, hold for 5–10 seconds
5. Turn your head to the left, hold for 5–10 seconds
6. Turn your head to the right, hold for for 5–10 seconds.

If you have pain in any one of these directions, ease off and do that motion with less tension. For example, if you have pain when you turn your bring your head forward (chin to your chest), don’t bring your head forward all the all the way. Just do it to the point that you start to feel pain, then stop. You will notice that if you do this stretching exercise daily, your range of motion will slowly start to increase. Incidentally, your neck pain will start to decrease as well.

Simple Neck Stretches that Can Help a Stiff Neck

Also, if you do this stretching exercise first thing in the morning, you can let warm/hot water hit your neck muscles while you stretch. This actually feels very good and can help your stretching.

If you cannot do this in the morning, you can also apply a warm moist heating pack to your head and neck muscles and then proceed with this exercise. 

Finally, get a supportive neck pillow for sleeping. This makes a huge huge difference every night. My suggestion is the arc4life cervical linear traction neck pillow because it provides excellent cervical support and gives you the C curve that you need in your neck when you sleep (for both side and back sleeping).

You can also use the arc4life pillow for a gentle neck stretch. Just lay on the traction V Side for 20-25 minutes on your back. A very therapeutic stretch that can relieve pain.

Additional Reading: 

• Information about the Arc4life cervical traction neck pillow
• Spinal Nerve Chart - understanding where your neck pain is coming from
• I have a stiff neck, a straight neck and shoulder pain
• Don't get a stiff neck when you travel

 

 

I Just Ordered a New Pillow and it is not like my Old Pillow!

Everyone has a favorite pillow, and there comes a time, when it has be replaced. That's the sad fact.

I recently got a call from a very concerned husband. His wife has been using the Arc4life traction pillow for many years. Recently they put the pillow into the washing machine and when the pillow came out of the washing machine it wasn’t the same pillow and it did not offer the same support that her old pillow offered. So they ordered a new Arc4life Traction pillow. The problem with the new pillow was that it was too firm and too high and did not feel like her old pillow. So what to do? Is this normal?

When you order a new Arc4life traction pillow it has brand new fiber in it that has been hand stuffed into the pillow. The new pillow is going to be more firm and the contours are going to be more defined. As you use the pillow, it is going to break down overtime as you slowly get adjusted to the contours of the neck rolls. This takes time. There may even be a short adjustment period (for example, use the pillow for only 5-10 minutes to start every night for a few nights). To get used to using a new pillow. Arc4life recommends that a person sleep on the support side or the neck roll side of the pillow to begin with. If needed, sleep on the pillow for no more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. The problem with the new pillow was that it was too firm and too high and did not feel like her old pillow. So what to do?

Another alternative is to order a different pillow completely. Preferably one that is less firm and less high. However that is not recommended. For example Arc4life created another pillow called the Arc4life natural alignment pillow which offers very gentle neck support. This pillow is made specifically for patients who have a lot of acute neck pain, or have a short neck, or have a very sensitive neck where they need some support. This pillow is very different then the Arc4life traction pillow.If a customer has used and liked the Arc4life Traction pillow then normally it is suggested to stick with the same pillow. The contours of the traction pillow are very beneficial for neck support and neck alignment. After the initial adjustment. The majority of patients adjust very well to the Arc4life traction pillow and use this pillow only every night for sleeping. 

Additional Reading:

• How to use the arc4life traction pillow
• Choosing the right size of traction pillow
• More Information on the arc4life traction pillow
• When is it Time to Change Your Pillow.
• How to Use the Traction V Side of the arc4life pillow

Optimize Your Posture While You Sleep with the Right Pillow

We live in a society where we are constantly on our computers and our cell phones all. day. long. That is why forward head posture is prevalent. Forward head posture creates a lot of stress for your neck, upper back, shoulders and midback area. It can lead to neck pain, waking up with stiffness, headaches, numbness and tingling, a feeling of heaviness and limited motion in the spine.

One area where you can fix your posture is using the right pillow at night. If you sleep on a flat pillow, you are not getting the support that you need. Our natural neck spine has a C curve in it. You need a pillow at night that helps to restore this natural curve in the neck. 

Enter the arc4life traction pillow. That is the pillow that I recommend to help maintain proper posture at night. If you do not have a curve, have a little curve, or even have a reverse curve, this pillow can help. 

Anatomy of the Arc4life Traction Pillow:

If you have forward head posture, rounded shoulders,or a hunchback posture- you need a pillow like this to fix your posture. Does it happen overnight. NO. Overtime, yes a change will take place. You can also add neck traction and postural exercises. But you have to start with sleeping on a contoured pillow so that at least your neck is in the right position while you sleep. This is where posture correction can start. For some people there is an adjustment period to using a new pillow. Keep that in mind. One final thought. You need to order the right size of pillow. Some pillows are one size fits all. Not the arc4life traction pillow- it actually comes in a small, medium and large. In general, if you are under 5'ft order the small, over 6 ft order the large. If you are in between, order the medium. This is just a general recommendation. If you need further information about the right size, contact me here at Neck Pain Support and I can help. It also depends on your weight, frame and what you currently use for a pillow. 

Updated: 4/24/2020

Additional Reading:

• Tutorial Guide on how to use the Arc4life Traction Neck Pillow to fix posture
• Why the Arc4life Pillow works for  Military Neck
• I see the T in the Pillow, but not seeing the V in the Pillow
• Improve Your Posture right now
• What Kind of Pillow should I sleep on if I am a Stomach Sleeper?

Which Pillow is Comfortable & Does Not Cause Pain To The Neck?

A reader recently contacted me and asked,

"Which pillow is comfortable and Does Not Cause Pain To The Neck?"

 

What's the Best Pillow and Won't Cause you Neck Pain?

 

 The truth is every pillow has some kind of an adjustment period to it. Your neck muscles, upper back, shoulders and head muscles have to get used to the contours of a new pillow. It could take a few days, or it could take a few weeks. For some people, they are able to sleep on a pillow the whole night through right away. 

If you have neck pain, numbness and tingling, headaches or another neck pain condition, it may take longer to get used to. You may have to get a little worse, before you get better.

Another point that should be made is that a pillow that is too large for you will definitely cause you neck pain and stiffness. Also pillows that are way to firm can cause neck pain. On the other hand, a pillow that is too small, or not supportive enough can cause you neck pain. It can put your head and neck into an uncomfortable position, resulting in pain the next day.

So to answer your question, there is no one pillow. I would recommend a contoured neck pillow vs a flat pillow and I would highly suggest you get the right size to start sleeping pain free as soon as possible.

Additional Reading:

• Sleeping in the wrong position can be the cause of Neck Pain
• Choosing the Right Pillow So that you don't end up with a heaping amount of pillows in your house
• The Right Pillow for a Military Neck and A Stiff Neck
• Why You Should Use a Neck Pillow Every Night Vs no Pillow
• Travel Neck Pillow that Helps you Get Comfortable No Matter where you are

Related articles

Neck Pain Support Blog: The Wrong Position at Night Can be the Cause of Neck Pain

How to NOT End up with a Closet Full of Pillows

Do I Get An Epidural?

1st Starting With A Neck Pillow...Go Gradual

Vitamins Work Together Along with Minerals - Wellness 4 Life

Seeing the T on the Pillow, but Not the V... (The Queen of Neck Pillows)

The Wrong Position at Night Can be the Cause of Neck Pain

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

Related articles

1st Starting With A Neck Pillow...Go Gradual

Seeing the T on the Pillow, but Not the V... (The Queen of Neck Pillows)

Should I Sleep Without A Pillow if I have a Forward Head Posture?

In the last post here on Neck Pain Support Blog, I wrote about how the Forward Head Posture can cause not only neck pain, but also pain in the mid and lower back.

So should you use a pillow with this type of neck posture? Is it healthy? Some might think that using no pillow might be the best solution for this. 

Using no pillow is not the answer - it is not only uncomfortable, but it can make your situation and pain worse.

I recommend using a contoured neck pillow. Your head and neck needs to be properly supported especially with this type of neck posture. It is important to get the right size of pillow. Because your head and neck are already naturally pushed forward, you don’t want to get a pillow size that is too big. A pillow that is too big will exaggerate your forward head posture. It can make your neck and back pain worse.

An Example of a Contoured Neck Pillow that Can help with FHP

In the meantime do neck traction and postural exercises to help improve the forward head posture. This type of posture puts a lot of pressure on the head, neck and shoulder area.

Check out Part I: Forward Head Posture Post here on Neck Pain Support Blog: How FHP Can cause midback and low back pain too.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Exercises you can do for forward head posture
• How to Help Neck Pain and Headaches from Work
• Solutions for A Stiff Neck 
• Improve Your Neck Posture with the right pillow
• Travel Neck Pillow for a Person with Existing Neck and Shoulder Pain

 

 

Pillow Recommendation after ACDF Neck Surgery

Dear NPS, I had ACDF Surgery in February 2017. I am still recovering from neck pain and but need a pillow that will give me good support at night. I also suffer from occipital neuralgia. Which pillow would you recommend for me?

- J.Friend

Dear J.Friend, Thank you for your email. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion or ACDF Surgery involves removing a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. With this type of surgery the Dr goes in through the front of the cervical spine. Often times after this type of surgery, a patient will want to stay in a comfortable supine (on your back) position. Here are two pillows I recommend after this type of neck surgery. With both pillows, your head and neck are in the neutral position. Your head/neck  will not be pushed forward.

1. Cosmed Recovery Neck Pillow: This type of pillow is designed to keep you in the face up position. It even has wings to help you keep this supine position.

2. The Arc4life Linear Gravity Neck Pillow - This is more like a regular pillow in that will keep your head and neck in a neutral position. You want to make sure you get the right size when ordering this pillow (small, medium or large). This pillow is composed of a softer type of fiber. It also features two neck rolls, one firmer and narrower, the other softer and broader. You can sleep on either side.

 

Updated: 4/24/2020

Additional Reading:

• Arc4life Linear Gravity Pillow: More Information
• CosMed Recovery Neck Pillow: More Information
• Best Pillow for ACDF Surgery on C3/4 and C4/5
• Are your symptoms the result of cervical radiculopathy

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