Choose an Orthopedic Pillow to Alleviate Neck Pain

Jul 21
07:47

2010

Mary Thomlinson

Mary Thomlinson

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If you're suffering from chronic pain in your neck, an orthopedic pillow could be an effective natural solution for minimizing or even alleviating discomfort.

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You can try using a pillow that's specially designed to correctly support the neck during sleep. 

You don't need a doctor or chiropractor's recommendation to use a neck support pillow,Choose an Orthopedic Pillow to Alleviate Neck Pain Articles although a diagnosis of your problem could help you choose the right one. 

If you know neck pain is caused by osteoarthritis, whiplash or another specific medical problem or injury, you can look for a pillow that's specifically designed for your condition. 

Types of Neck Support Pillows

There are many different types of orthopedic pillows available on the market today that are designed for specific neck ailments as well as general neck pain. Neck pillows may be made of natural or synthetic fibers. All popular pillow types have potential drawbacks as well as benefits.

1.Memory Foam: 

Foam pillows rely on body heat and pressure to conform to your head and neck for precise cushioning and support. Some sleepers find them too hard to sleep on. Another possible drawback is excessive warmth.

2.Buckwheat:

Pillows filled with Buckwheat hulls provide firm support of the head and neck as well as good air flow. Buckwheat pillows don't sink or flatten and they also don't "push back" as foam pillows might. You can add or remove hulls to adjust the loft and firmness of the pillow.

Some users Buckwheat pillows are too firm for comfortable use. Another possible drawback is the noise you hear as hulls shift when you change position. 

3.Water-based Pillows

Water-based pillows alleviate neck pain by providing immediate contouring support. You can adjust the height and firmness of the pillow by adding or removing water. 

Potential cons to water-based orthopedic pillows include noise during sleep position shifts. These pillows may be heavy when they are filled, which can make them cumbersome to move around during sleep. 

Choosing a pillow to help with general neck pain is largely a matter of personal preference. If you'd like to experiment with different types of pillows, choose brands that come with a money-back guarantee. 

Choose the Right Pillow Size

In addition to material, pay attention to the size of the pillow you buy. No matter how supportive a pillow is, it can't help with neck pain if it is too big or too small for your size. Any orthopedic pillow must be the right size to support your neck in the neutral position to keep your spine and neck aligned in good posture during the night. 

Match Your Pillow to Your Sleep Position

One final consideration for choosing a neck support pillow concerns sleep position. Some pillows are specifically designed for back, stomach or side sleepers.

If you know how you usually sleep, you may wish to choose a pillow designed to support your neck curvature and spine posture in that position. 

If you tend to sleep in a variety of positions, choose a pillow that will provide adequate support regardless of whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach.