Picking the right pillow

July 5, 2016 by J. Taylor

By Jana Taylor

Have you ever suffered from occasional back or neck pain when you first wake up? After reaching for Back + Neck Rescue^®, you may shrug it off assuming you just slept wrong, but have you considered changing your pillow or sleeping position?

Your head weighs about 11 pounds. That’s a lot of stress you are putting on your neck (and to a lesser extent) back muscles each day. It seems reasonable to consider making sure you have the right pillow to support you at night.

Finding the right pillow is as much a matter of your sleep position as it is pillow composition. When deciding between pillows, first consider your sleep position:

Back sleeper

The back sleeper needs a thinner pillow, one that will not push the head forward to much, but also cradles the neck. The back sleeper should seriously consider an orthopedic pillow with a raised ridge at the bottom that follows the curve of the neck or a cervical roll pillow. However, an old fashioned feather pillow can also accomplish the same thing. In addition to the right pillow for their heads, back sleepers benefit from a pillow placed under the knees to help align the lower back.

Side sleeper

Side sleeping is the most common sleep position, and also the most healthful way to sleep. Side sleepers need to find a medium to firm pillow that will support the neck. Side sleepers have the freest latitude for pillow choice; orthopedic pillows, feather pillows, memory foam pillows and water pillows are all good choices. It is also recommended for side sleepers to sleep with a pillow between their legs to improve spine alignment.

Stomach sleeper

This sleep position is not recommended, as it contributes to back and neck pain. However, if you cannot sleep in any other position, it is recommended that you sleep with no pillow, or a very soft, thin pillow. Feather, memory foam or a water pillow will work for the stomach sleeper, as long as they are very thin. If you would like to transition out of this sleep position, but find it difficult, try sleeping with a heavy-style body pillow on top of you.

Finding the right sleep position and pillow can help you have fewer aches and pains in the morning, but occasional back and neck pain still cannot be ruled out entirely. Be sure you have Back + Neck Rescue on hand for those occasions, and carry on with your day pain free.

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Jana Taylor is a staff writer for Peaceful Mountain.