Best Pillow for Back Pain and How to Choose Yours

Sleeping well is vital for our health and overall well-being. When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, there are some factors that are more important than others.

Making sure your bed is comfortable is easier said than done. On occasion, regular pillows simply don’t cut it. If you wake up feeling tired and a bit achy, you should take a look at your sleeping position.

Your pillow helps to support your body during the night. If you don’t have the right orthopaedic pillow, you may experience neck and back pain.

Signs of Poor Sleep

Not all of us recognise the signs of poor sleep. If you have a posture problem, the first symptom you may notice is pain in the neck or upper back.

But, many of us put aches and pains down to having slept in the wrong position. You have probably heard of the term crick in the neck.

Other signs of a bad night’s sleep include:

● Reduced alertness
● Headache
● Increased reaction time
● Difficulty concentrating

If you don’t tackle the problem, long-term problems include muscle spasms and poor memory.

The best thing you can do is to deal with the problem as soon as you notice you are not sleeping well.

Having the Right Pillow

Splashing out on bedding is something many of us are reluctant to do. Often we hang onto pillows far longer than we should. Instead of replacing them, we try to make them as comfortable as we can by poking and prodding them. Some of us even put towels under our pillows to find a better sleeping position.

All of this does more harm than good. Instead of struggling to get comfortable in bed, it is better to have a specialist back pain pillow instead.

What Pillow is Right for Me?

If your pillow is too high which it often is when you prop it up, your neck and spine will end up in a forward position when you sleep.

Initially, this puts extra strain on the neck. As you continue to sleep in this position, you may also experience pain in other parts of your spine. If you continue to sleep like this, you are at risk of damaging your spine. It goes without saying this leads to back pain.

If your pillow is too low, your neck muscles can also be strained.

The right orthopaedic pillow for better sleep is a pillow that gently supports and aligns your spine.

What Pillow Should I Choose?

It is a matter of finding a pillow that fits in with your sleeping position. Before you go ahead and buy a support pillow, it is important to identify your sleeping position.

Are you a back, side or front sleeper? When you know that, it is time to start shopping around for a support pillow.

Should I Opt for a Firm Pillow?

A firm pillow is not suitable for everybody. When it comes to pillows, it is important to find one that works for you.

Once have established your sleeping position, you will find that it is a lot easier.

Supporting Your Neck

Most importantly, your pillow should support your neck as you sleep.

When you lay down on your pillow, your neck and head should be aligned with the rest of your spine. This reduces the risk of pressure on individual vertebrae in your neck.

Don’t forget that your neck supports your head. When your head is resting comfortably, you often end up in a better sleeping position.

For instance, if you are a back sleeper, you need a pillow that supports the hollow which is formed between your head and upper spine.

Sleeping On Your Side

Sleeping on your side is a more challenging sleeping position to correct. As many of us are side sleepers, there is a good selection of different pillows available.

You should make sure that your pillow does not make your curl your neck downwards. Your chin should be pointing forward not down towards your chest.

Side sleepers are much more likely to curl up which contributes to neck pain and discomfort in the upper region of the spine. It is important that your choice of pillow supports both your neck and head.

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach is a direct cause of neck pain. When you sleep on your stomach, you have to turn your head to the left or right to breathe.

The very fact that you sleep on your stomach can be the cause of your neck pain.

If you can, you should try to train yourself to sleep on your side or on your back. You can do this by adding support to your bed to make sure you are prompted to sleep on your back or on your side.

It takes a while to change a stomach sleeping habit. If you find it difficult, you should consult a physiotherapist who can give you tips on how to change your sleeping position.

When you have been a stomach sleeper for a long time, it is likely that you have posture problems. Once they have been corrected, sleeping in a better position becomes easier and more natural.

Where Should I Buy My Neck Support Pillow?

Orthopaedic Pillows are available both in stores and online shops.
Buying online offers a better selection and more competitive prices.

Your new pillow is delivered directly to your home. Some manufacturers offer a trial period.

Take your time and don’t rush into making a buying decision. Make sure your pillow is easy to keep hygienically clean. Read care instructions carefully.

How Often Should You Change Your Pillow?

If you have bought a quality orthopaedic cushion, you should not have to change it too often. The right time to buy a new pillow is when you feel your old pillow does not support you anymore.

Conclusion

Getting a good night’s sleep and waking up refreshed is essential when it comes to your health. When you think you are experiencing health problems due to poor-quality sleep, it is best to take action sooner rather than later. Don’t let neck pain control your life.