There are many factors that contribute to a good night’s sleep, and your pillow is definitely one of them. If you find yourself waking up with a stiff neck, have recently had an injury such as whiplash, or suffer from other conditions affecting the cervical spine and musculature, it may be time to switch from a soft unsupportive pillow to an orthopedic cervical support pillow.
How Cervical Support Pillows Work
The Purpose and Design of Cervical Pillows
The cervical support pillows are designed to help correct and maintain or accommodate cervical posture during sleep. These specialized pillows work in two distinct ways, depending on your needs and current condition.
A firm supportive pillow provides resistive feedback to the cervical spine to help reestablish or maintain the proper curvature of the neck. This type of pillow actively works to correct your neck alignment while you sleep.
An accommodative pillow will provide mild support and conform to the neck’s current posture, offering gentle comfort without forcing major postural changes.
Variety of Options Available
There are a variety of fiber-filled and foam support pillows to meet different needs and preferences. Whether you are new to cervical support pillows or have been sleeping on one for years, you can find exactly what you need. The selection includes different materials, firmness levels, and designs to accommodate various sleeping positions and therapeutic requirements.
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Pillow
Before you start to browse the pillows, there are some things to consider when deciding which pillow is best for you. Taking time to evaluate your specific needs will help ensure you select the most appropriate pillow for your situation.
Determining the Amount of Correction and Support You Need
It is important to consider the amount of correction and support you want or need. Your choice should be based on your current neck condition, pain levels, and therapeutic goals.
Accommodative Pillows for Mild Support
If you’re looking for an accommodative pillow that will conform to your current neck posture and offer mild support, you should consider the Core Water Pillow or the memory foam pillows. These options are ideal for individuals who need gentle support or are sensitive to firm pillows.
The Core Water Pillow allows you to adjust the water level to customize the firmness, while memory foam pillows gently cradle your head and neck.
Firm Corrective Support Pillows
If you seek firm support to help correct your cervical curve, consider pillows such as our Tri-Core, D-Core, Double Core Select, or Cervical Line. These pillows are specifically engineered to provide the resistive feedback needed to help restore proper cervical alignment. They are particularly beneficial for individuals with significant postural issues or those recovering from neck injuries.
Ergonomic Full-Spine Support Options
If you are looking for a supportive pillow with an ergonomic twist that supports both the cervical and upper spine, the Therapeutic Sleeping Pillow would be a great choice. This innovative design addresses not just the neck but also provides support for the upper back and shoulders, promoting better overall spinal alignment during sleep.
Adjusting to Your New Cervical Support Pillow
Understanding the Adjustment Period
If you are new to cervical support pillows, it is important to know that there may be an adjustment period as you become accustomed to the firm support and correction of your new pillow. This is completely normal and expected. Your body has been accustomed to your previous pillow, and it takes time to adapt to the new support structure.
Starting with Gentle Correction
We recommend starting with a gentle cervical correction and gradually increasing to a pillow with more support if the extra correction and support is needed. Beginning with a milder corrective pillow allows your neck muscles and cervical spine to slowly adapt to the new positioning without causing discomfort or strain.
Gradual Transition Strategy for Best Results
Switching to a cervical support pillow from a standard sleeping pillow can take some time to get used to. Please note that this transition period is an important part of achieving long-term benefits.
We suggest gradually phasing in a cervical support pillow, alternating with your previous pillow while your body adjusts. You might use your new cervical pillow for the first half of the night and switch to your old pillow if needed, or alternate nights between the two pillows. This should only be needed until your head and neck adjust to the support of a cervical pillow.
After the adjustment period, your new pillow will become more comfortable to sleep on. Most users find that once they’ve fully adapted, they wouldn’t want to go back to their old pillow because of the improved sleep quality and reduced neck pain.
Hope this article about the cervical support pillow may help you.