Good sleeping posture is critical if you want to get a good night’s sleep and avoid pain. The right pillow can help support a healthy sleeping posture. To choose the right pillow, you must first evaluate the way you sleep. Each sleeping position can benefit from a different type of pillow, but ultimately, you’ll want to choose one that will retain its shape.
The key to a healthy spine and a good night’s sleep is keeping your neck in a neutral position, even if you move around throughout the night. At Bomberg Chiropractic, we want to make sure you support your spine health. To do that, we know choosing the correct pillow is key. To help you make that decision, here are some tips to help you find the right pillow for your specific needs.
Side Sleepers
People who sleep on their sides should choose a firm pillow with an extra-wide gusset. The gusset is the part of the pillow sewn between the top and bottom panels to give it extra width. This extra width helps bridge the space between your shoulder and your ear, helping to keep your cervical spine in a neutral position. People who sleep in this position should also consider sleeping with a pillow between their legs to give extra support to their lumbar spine.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers should choose a thinner pillow to avoid placing their head in a forward posture. They can also benefit from having extra loft in the bottom third of their pillow. Memory foam pillows with extra neck support are a great example of this; they have a thicker area at the bottom of the pillow to maintain the proper curvature of the cervical spine. Memory foam is also an excellent choice because it molds to the shape of the head, providing consistent support throughout the night. Back sleepers should also consider placing a pillow under their knees to support their lower back.
Stomach Sleepers
People who sleep on their stomachs should choose the thinnest type of pillow they can find. Sleeping with a thicker pillow can push the neck upward into an unnatural position, causing neck pain. Stomach sleepers may also experience lower back pain when sleeping on a more cushioned pillow. Another option for people who sleep in this position is to sleep with no pillow at all. This can help keep the cervical spine in a more natural position and alleviate unnecessary stress on the neck.
Chiropractic Care in the Twin Cities Metro Area
If you are suffering from neck or back pain, Bomberg Chiropractic can help. We offer chiropractic care, including neck and back pain treatment, as well as spinal decompression. We also offer massage, TENS therapy, and several other modalities to help relieve pain and dysfunction. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an evaluation, feel free to give us a call. You can reach us at 763-450-1755, or you can message us at drb@bombergchiropractic.com.