Neck pain isn’t exactly news nowadays. Ever since our work routines collided with our sleep schedule we have all been experiencing bodily discomforts on a daily basis. The most common and uncomfortable of all is neck pain. Frequent pain in the neck can lead you to suffer through problems like cervical or spondylitis.
If you sleep funny or your pillow isn't supportive enough, you may be prone to neck pain more often. There are several reasons why someone could experience neck discomfort, including stress, bad posture, texting, sports injuries, auto accidents, and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.
Pillows alone can have a great impact on your sleep quality. Hence, buying the best pillow for cervical neck pain becomes quite a necessity. Let’s discuss this entire process at length so that you get a better understanding of cervical pain and what you can do to prevent it.
Best Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain
By preserving the spine's natural curvature as you sleep comfortably, a cervical pillow helps the spine. Many of these pillows are available in a variety of material and shapes, so you may select the one that suits you the best. Let's examine the reasons for neck discomfort now and learn more about the benefits of a neck pillow for cervical pain.
How does a Cervical Neck Pillow help?
Ergonomic neck supports that are specifically created are called cervical pillows. They cradle the head and shoulders and hold it in the appropriate posture as you sleep. In order to prevent strain and pain in the morning, it is crucial that your head and neck be at the correct angles when you are resting down.
The ideal positions for your head and neck will change depending on whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. A cervical pillow that compresses the area where the head rests and rises to the level of the neck is what you need.
Memory foam, which is great at compressing and decompressing around your neck and head, is typically used to make cervical pillows. Superior ergonomic support and a restful night's sleep are offered by memory foam.
Types of Neck and Cervical Pillows
Cervical rolls
Cervical pillows are all rounder multi purpose pillows that can be used for various body parts like under the head or neck, under the knees, and behind the back to ensure proper lumbar support and spine alignment. These are the best cervical support pillows for people who experience frequent neck and back problems.
Comfort Pillows
These are usual regular pillows that come in traditional shape and feel, if you prefer that. They aren’t compatible with all kinds of sleeping positions, but for people who are used to a lighter pillow feel while sleeping can definitely go for this. These pillows offer better ergonomic support than the usual pillows.
Neck Pillows
People who sleep on their sides or backs benefit most from neck pillows, which are made to support the natural curvature of your neck. These pillows are available in many sizes to accommodate a broad spectrum of body shapes.
Cradle Pillows
To relieve strain on your neck and spine, pillows with cradle support will be perfect for balancing your head. It also helps to keep your breathing cycle intact and reduces snoring.
Side pillows
The curving edge of these pillows is lower in the center and higher on the side. The neck is properly aligned with this design. The front edge of side pillows is angled forward, which cradles the top vertebrae. Additionally, this frontal curvature gives your shoulders room and adds comfort to this area.
Can a Cervical Pillow Help with Neck pain?
Yes, a cervical pillow is absolutely fitting for your neck problems. A neck pain cervical pillow is especially designed to cradle your neck and head in a way that aligns with your spin accurately. It will help you keep the natural cervical curvature intact while you sleep, thus preventing any neck strain or stiffness.
A customized cervical pillow offers posture correction. Because there is more blood flowing to your head, it also helps you sleep better by releasing and relaxing stiff muscles in your neck and shoulders. A bad pillow choice might lead to a bad neck position.
When someone wakes up with neck pain due to improper body support, it's generally an indication of a difficult day ahead. Not only does poor blood circulation cause headache and numbness in the arms or hands, but it can also cause muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
That's a stretch, isn't it? Headache episodes that are connected to the neck might occasionally be caused by upper cervical spine tension. Lower cervical spine discomfort is the root cause of pain in the shoulders and arms.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers with Neck Pain?
When someone realizes they need to get a new pillow because their cervical curve is disturbed from sleeping on their stomach or from surgery, this concern is raised. Let's discuss cervical pillows for side sleepers and what makes them more cozy who have lost cervical curvature.
The natural curve of your neck in a supine position is called a cervical curve. Your head and neck are not in the same line as a result of this. A pillow that maintains your head and neck in a neutral position might help relieve headaches and other issues that may arise from sleeping on your side, especially for side sleepers with back issues or neck pain.
It's very important to pick the pillow that will be most comfortable for you out of the several varieties available that are made to support certain head and neck regions. Three different kinds of pillows are available for side sleepers who have lost their cervical curve:
A particular kind of pillow called a wedge pillow is intended to be positioned beneath the shoulder blades and between the legs. When sleeping on your side, it's beneficial to maintain a neutral head, neck, and spine alignment.
A hybrid pillow consists of two sections: a bottom component that rests on top of the chest and an upper segment that rests on top of the head. While the bottom section's bumps, which may be employed alone or for wedging, aid to maintain the upper body in a neutral posture, the upper section's depression supports the head's crown. Some of the top-rated cervical pillow options are:
- Pillow cases and covers
- facial or skull pillows
- body pillows and shams
- neck roll pillows and head rolls
- neck rolls only
- under-the-shoulder roll pillows
- protrusions to support the back and sides of the body (lumbar roll)
Cervical neck supports are some of the common types of pillows available. Additionally, you may purchase foam-filled pillow inserts, such as filler blocks or sleeves, to place within pillows.
Eli & Elm cooling side sleeper pillow is made with a contour design, especially to offer adequate support to side sleepers conforming to the precise curvature of the head and neck. It helps maintain the natural curves of the neck and spine so that you wake up pain free and fresh.
What is Cervical Spondylosis?
The common word for wear and strain that affects your cervical spine is cervical spondylosis. Your neck's seven stacked bones, or vertebrae, are referred to as cervical. When portions of your spine start to deteriorate, you have spondylosis. In basic terms cervical spondylosis is also known as the “arthritis of the neck.”
Medical professionals may refer to it as arthritis or osteoarthritis of the neck. Cervical spondylosis can cause stiffness, pain, or aches in the neck. Although cervical spondylosis cannot be cured, there are certain treatments suggested by medical experts to prevent or reduce it.
Symptoms of Cervical pain
Symptoms of Cervical spondylosis are:
- Neck pain
- Stiff neck
- A bump or knot in your neck
- Muscle spasms
- A clicking, popping or grinding sound when you move your neck
- Dizziness
- Headache
According to the Cleveland Clinic of Cleveland, Ohio, you might be suffering through the cervical and you might not even know, which means the cervical can come without symptoms too.
What are the causes of Cervical pain?
There are several causes for neck or cervical pain, some medical, others triggered by bad posture and sleeping on the wrong pillow or mattress. Let’s go through these causes one by one to get to the root of your discomfort.
Medical Causes
1. Dehydrated Discs
Spinal discs act as a cushion or soft support in between the vertebrae of the spine. As you grow older to about 40 years, the discs start to shrink and dry out, which reduces the support and the bones between the vertebrae tend to rub off with each other.
This entire process loosens the spine support thereby giving rise to pain usually known as “spondylitis.” Patients who suffer through spondylitis experience extreme difficulties in rotating their neck properly. Some people also experience nausea and dizziness when they move their head too much.
2. Herniated Discs
The wear tear can occur on the outside of the spinal discs too, which can let the soft interior of a disc squeeze out through these cracks. Moreover it presses against the spinal cord and nerves which can cause extreme pain and discomfort, especially if you are a back sleeper.
People affected by herniated discs experience sharp pain excruciating from one side of the body mainly from leg, hips, or buttocks. Patients have also reported numbness in certain parts of the body. In some cases you might also feel pain or numbness on the back of the calf or sole of the foot.
3. Ligament Stiffness
Ligaments are much like wires made of tissue that link or connect the bones with each other. Spinal ligaments can become stiff with age which makes the movement of the neck quite difficult. Not just this, stiff ligaments can also give rise to chronic neck and spinal ache. Joint pain is quite common due to ligament stiffness. Muscle stiffness is the sensation of tight, cramped or painful muscles.
4. Bone Spurs
Smooth, bony growths, called osteophytes, are seen frequently in close proximity to joints. In people suffering from arthritis or joint injury, they gradually manifest. Bone spurs frequently occur on the hands, feet, knees, and spine.
An active lifestyle can postpone discomfort, stiffness, and restricted range of motion. Surgery, physical therapy, and medication could be helpful. Osteophytes are most frequent in the foot, namely in the heel, big toe and ankle, hand or finger, hip, knee, neck, shoulder, and spine, however they can sprout from any bone.
Other Causes
1. Choice of Pillow
A pillow that is too small or too large for you might cause strain on the muscles in your neck, which can lead to neck pain. Therefore, if you have neck discomfort, it is best to switch pillows or use an orthopedic pillow, especially if you have cervical disease or the pain lasts for a long time.
2. Sleep Position
Everyone has a favorite way to sleep, but occasionally choosing the incorrect position might get you into trouble. For example, sleeping on your stomach can cause your neck to tilt to one side for hours at a time, which can strain your muscles and leave you feeling stiff and uncomfortable in the morning. Your back may also become strained if you sleep on your stomach. So, try not to go to sleep in this manner.
3. Quick Movements or Strains
Occasionally, abrupt motions such as throwing your arms, swiveling excessively as you sleep, or prolonged periods of inactivity or positional shifts might cause strain and stress in your neck. Other than this, after a few days, you may experience this problem due to specific sports or accidents.
How Common is Cervical Spondylosis?
Surprisingly cervical spondylosis is very common nowadays. The constantly hectic work routines and disrupted sleep cycles has led cervical problems to creep into our lives quite easily. Cervical issues can get worse as we get older. Hence, we need to be careful about our health and try to get such issues diagnosed early in stage.
Over 85% of those over 60 suffer from cervical spondylosis. Early diagnosis will let us address these issues with sufficient time. A research that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society indicates that males are more likely than women to have cervical spondylosis.
The study discovered that across all age categories, males were more likely than women to have cervical spondylosis. But as people age, the gender difference closes, and by the time people are 70 years old, both men and women have identical prevalence rates.
Why is it more Common in Men?
There are a number of possible explanations for why males are more likely than women to develop cervical spondylosis:
Occupation
Men are more prone to work in physically demanding jobs or participate in repeated activities, such as heavy lifting, extended sitting, and repetitive neck motions, that can cause wear and strain on the cervical spine.
Biomechanical Differences
Men may be more prone to cervical spondylosis due to differences in the biomechanical properties of their cervical spine when compared to women.
Lifestyle
Cervical spondylosis may develop as a result of certain lifestyle variables, which may be more common in men. These causes include smoking, obesity, and bad posture.
Genetic Predisposition
Men may be more likely than women to develop cervical spondylosis due to hereditary factors.
These elements may have a role in the greater incidence of cervical spondylosis in males than in women, either separately or in combination.
How can I prevent Cervical Spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis is often an age-related condition. Here are some ways to look after your neck:
- taking frequent pauses from neck-stressing activities, such as moving your head up or down for extended periods of time or holding your neck in an unpleasant or awkward posture.
- asking your doctor about neck-strengthening and stretching activities.
- using over-the-counter painkillers, rest, ice, or heat therapy to treat moderate neck discomfort.
When Should I Seek Medical Care?
In case the pain or muscle don’t go away or become worse over time then you must consult a physician or a medical professional. If you are already suffering from cervical spondylosis and are undergoing treatment but your condition is not improving, then too you should seek advice from your doctor for further treatment.
Final Thoughts
By preserving the spine's natural curvature as you sleep comfortably, a cervical pillow helps the spine. Many of these pillows are available in a variety of material and shapes, so you may select the one that suits you the best. A cervical pillow that compresses the area where the head rests and rises to the level of the neck is what you need.
Because there is more blood flowing to your head, it also helps you sleep better by releasing and relaxing stiff muscles in your neck and shoulders. Eli & Elm cooling side sleeper pillow is made with a contour design, especially to offer adequate support to side sleepers conforming to the precise curvature of the head and neck.
Everyone has a favorite way to sleep, but occasionally choosing the incorrect position might get you into trouble. Using over-the-counter painkillers, rest, ice, or heat therapy can also help you treat moderate neck discomfort.
