Use my Neck Contour Pillow or Use My Regular Pillow?

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

Additonal Reading Resources:

Author: lucca

8 responses to “Use my Neck Contour Pillow or Use My Regular Pillow?”

Tina Rawlins

January 24, 2010

I read some comments on Amazon about the V type pillow listed above. It seems great but the comments were that it was just a lumpy pillow. I’m going to try this http://www.theraposition.com portable massage table solution.

January 25, 2010

Hi Tina, thanks for your comment. Arc4life’s cervical traction pillow has two different sides to the pillow.The design of the cervical linear traction neck pillow is such that one side provides traction (the “V” side) and yes it is higher on that side and designed purposely like that so that it gives you a gentle stretch in your neck while you are sleeping. I would not personally describe it as “lumpy”- but everyone uses different adjectives.
Often for patients who do not have a curve in their cervical spine (military neck)- this traction is very important. It is a good idea to use the pillow for a few hours, and then go back to your original pillow in the beginning. Many patients, who use this pillow, do a traction protocol at home and get regular chiropractic adjustments do very well with this pillow.
I think every person needs a different type of pillow- no one pillow is going to the answer for everyone. Some people are side sleepers, stomach sleepers or back sleepers. Choosing the right neck pillow can be difficult.
A pillow is completely different than a massage table. 2 different products, 2 functions.
-NJ
Which Neck Pillow is Right For My Needs?
http://www.arc4life.com/site/615058/page/937115

Tina Rawlins

January 29, 2010

Thanks for the information about the pillow. Thats an interesting idea to only use it for a few hours. The same philosophy that I had about using this http://www.TheraPosition.com device.
I not only have neck pain but so does my sister who was recently diagnosed with spinal lesions.
I am thinking that the best relief for spinal lesion pain would be moist heating pads.
Does your site have any additional product suggestions?

kat

February 18, 2010

Hi NJ,
I hope you still check these comments and will reply. For years I slept with a cervical support pillow, and there was nothing better – fell asleep quickly, good support, perfect softness, no pain when I woke up. Unfortunately, someone stole this pillow while I was away on vacation, so I went back to the same chiropractor to buy another.
He swears it’s the same pillow, but I’m not convinced because the material feels harder and my neck is killing me. Nothing has happened to my neck between then and now. Do our necks change with age?

February 18, 2010

Hi Kat, this is a great question. Yes our cervical neck spine can change. Sometimes the change can be for the worse because of poor neck posture. For example, forward head posture. This type of neck posture puts a tremendous amount of stress on our joints, muscles and can cause neck pain, upper back pain etc.
Also, you can get degenerative changes in the joints. Arthritis can also develop which can cause a lot of pain and stiffness. Have you been involved in any type of trauma such as whiplash in the last few weeks? Thisc can cause a lot of pain as well.
Cervical Support Neck Pillows can change with time, depending on the material that is inside them. It is also natural for a pillows to break down over time. The firmness that was originally in the pillow may not be in a few years.
I think that it is going to take some time for you to get used to your pillow. There are some things you can do to help alleviate the pain.

If you are experiencing soreness in the morning, use moist heat. If this is only happening once in a while, use an ice pack on your neck and upper back area
Use a natural pain relief gel on your neck and upper back such as biofreeze. This can give you a lot of pain relief and help with range of motion as well.
Don’t use your pillow for the entire night. Start by using it for a few hours. When it gets uncomfortable use another pillow tha is softer. You will find that you can sleep longer and longer. It is going to get some time for your neck to get used to
You may be right. Maybe this is a different cervical support pillow all together. Does the pillow have a different side to it that is softer? Try changing the position of the pillow. For example, the linear gravity cervical support pillow has two different neck rolls on it. Once side is softer than the other.
Linear Gravity Support Neck Pillow
http://www.arc4life.com/site/615058/product/LinearGravityPillow
Have your posture and alignment checked. If you are spending a lot of time on the computer, check your computer ergonomics. Get adjusted.
Compare the pillow that you had by the size and also the material that is was composed of. Foam and polyester fiber pillows feel very different.
Do some neck stretches in the morning
Neck Stretches: http://www.arc4life.com/site/615058/page/993935.
Get your neck posture checked. If you have forward head posture, there are exercises that you can do: http://www.neckpainsupport.com/2009/07/the-best-neck-exercise-to-correct-forward-head-posture.html
Just give it some time. Using a new pillow will take some time to get used to.

Hope this helps you out Kat. – NJ

Steve

August 20, 2010

Hi NJ,
I have recently been having problems with neck pain (about 2 months). I went to the Doctor and he gave me some exercises which really didnt help much. I sometimes wake up in the morning and can barely move my neck. The longer i am awake, the more my neck loosens, but its still stiff for most of the day. I work at a computer all day and I am mostly a side sleeper. What would you recommend for me?
Thanks
Steve

Karlie Philpott

September 20, 2011

I was thinking about what I want in a neck pillow and would have to say most importantly I need a pillow that will keep it’s form and offer support all night long. I look forward to reading your next posts and reviewing your suggestions.

Ruby Ferdinand

October 28, 2011

Rattling interesting article thank you , i never realized this was the framework and am looking to purchase a cot mattress so present be aware of this.