Do you fall asleep feeling fine and wake up with a pain in your neck? You might be staining your neck or neck muscles as you sleep. The right pillow is just as important as your mattress for getting a great night's sleep
It's important not to bend your head while you're sleeping. It hurts. Let your head fall straight back, not sideways or facing up. If you don't sleep with a pillow maybe you need to. At the futon store we have several different styles of bed pillows to coordinate with our Serta mattresses. So you get the proper support with the mattress you choose to sleep on.
How to choose the correct pillow for you.
1. The major consideration for selecting a pillow is your sleeping position. Your pillow should allow your neck to be naturally straight and relaxed. Are you a side sleeper? Back sleeper? Stomach sleeper? Each of these positions needs a different pillow to give you the correct support for your neck.
2. The right Pillows will give you the support to the curve of your neck.
Pillow types for side, back sleepers.
Back sleepers need to Use a rounded pillow that goes directly under you neck and a flatter pillow for the top. Or you can tuck a small neck roll in your pillow case with a softer pillow. You can get a pillow with built-in neck support or an indentation for you head already made up. Memory foam that molds to your body, head and neck is even better. Many memory foam pillows are available with rolls in different size necks and sleeping positions. A memory foam with a dip for your head works well. Back sleepers should avoid pillows that are too high or firm.
Side sleepers need to Use a pillow that is higher than your neck so it fills in for support. Smaller people will require a smaller pillow than a larger person soo...don't always buy the same pillow for everyone in your house. Usually a softer or medium firm pillow is best. Too firm does not give enough and too soft isn't supportive.
Note for stomach sleepers: If at all possible, don't sleep that way or at least start out on your side or back. It is really bad for your neck. Sleeping with a pillow could make it worse because you need to breath so you can not face down. Your neck is will always extended to the side when you are on your stomach. This hurts your neck and back.
It might seem expensive to splurge on a good comfortable pillow but it is worth a good night's sleep considering it is important for you health. Just as it's important to sleep on a good supportive mattress you need the right pillow to help you with a good night's sleep.
Also Consider, when reading in bed or watching t.v., Getting a supporting prop for your neck. It's important so we suggest a wedge pillow. You can purchase inexpensively at many different stores.
We sell several different styles of memory foam pillows for you to consider when purchasing a new bed mattress. Stop by the futon store and more for all your bedding needs.
Dr Anthony Komaroff of Harvard Medical School provides a more detailed article and interesting article on this subject at AskDoctorK.com if you would like to read more on how to avert neck pain with proper sleeping pillows.
