If you wake up in the morning with a crick in your neck or an ache in your back, you’re not alone. Millions of people deal with back pain, and believe it or not, your pillow may be partially to blame. Sleeping with a pillow that is too soft or too firm can lead to awkward sleeping positions that overextend your neck and spine, leading to headaches, neck pain, back aches, and more.
The Pillow-Back Pain Connection
Your neck and spine regularly extend and contract to allow your body to maintain a full range of motion. However, overextending these joints can strain muscles and ligaments, leading to potentially severe pain. As you sleep, a good pillow will keep your neck and back in a straight, natural position. If your pillow does not provide proper support, your neck and back bend more, exacerbating existing aches and even introducing new ones. Some pillows fail to provide support because they’re the wrong height or material, while others are lumpy or uneven, leading to strange sleeping positions. When choosing a new pillow, consider factors that affect its level of support, including height, firmness, and consistency.
Pillow Height
A pillow that’s too high forces your neck to bend at an awkward angle, straining muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Too low, and your head dips down, putting pressure on your lower back.
Pillow Firmness
When your head sinks into a fluffy pillow, your neck bends due to the force of gravity. If your pillow is too soft, your neck can bend too far, straining muscles and causing headaches and back pain. Memory foam or buckwheat pillows can better cradle your head and neck.
Pillow Consistency
A lumpy or uneven pillow can cause your head to roll into disruptive positions during sleep. To avoid waking up with a crick in your neck, ensure your pillow is smooth, even, and consistent throughout.
Switching to a more ergonomic pillow that cradles the head and neck in a natural position can go a long way towards alleviating pain and improving patients’ sleep quality, which in turn boosts mood and quality of life.
Alleviate Back Pain with Chiropractic Care
If you’ve tried a new pillow and your back pain persists, all is not lost. Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors—often a combination of them. While a good pillow can make a big difference, there might be other issues at play. That’s where a chiropractor can be a valuable resource.
Chiropractors work closely with their patients to determine the root cause of back pain, whether that’s posture, medical conditions, patient lifestyle, or, of course, your pillow. Then, they formulate a treatment plan designed to address patient concerns safely and effectively. Treatment for back and neck pain varies but typically includes chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and product suggestions to help patients make targeted changes to their lifestyle.
Trust Crossroads Chiropractic for Expert Care
If you’re struggling with back or neck pain, don’t wait to act— a simple switch to a more ergonomic pillow can make a world of difference.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain that doesn’t improve with lifestyle changes, schedule a consultation with Crossroads Chiropractic. Our friendly team of expert chiropractors has decades of combined experience and have helped countless patients overcome back pain. With our team at your back, patients can take back control of their sleep—and their lives.
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