Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

We’ve talked a lot about how your mattress choice can go a long way in helping or hurting your back, but there’s another aspect of sleep health that needs your attention – your pillow. The vast majority of people use at least one pillow when they sleep, and if it’s not doing the job correctly, you can wake up with neck or back pain. But what should you be looking for in a pillow, and how can you ensure it provides your body with ample support? We answer those questions and more below.

How To Choose The Right Pillow For Your Neck

When it comes to picking out a pillow, don’t just find one that meets your budget. Do a little research and strive to find a pillow that meets these needs as well:

• Just The Right Amount Of Support – Some pillows are overstuffed, while others are thin and offer minimal support. You want to find a pillow somewhere in the middle ground. You want it to support your spine, and it best does this when it keeps your neck in a natural alignment. Overstuffed pillows force your head up too high, while thin pillows can stress your head by not lifting it enough. Find a medium-sized pillow that will keep your head a couple inches off the mattress.
• Comfort – This should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyways. Find a pillow that is comfortable when you’re lying down on it. If you find a comfortable pillow, it will be easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, and sleep is very important for your body health. Your body gets rid of waste products in the bloodstream while you’re asleep, so it’s important to give your body a quality period of time to run through these internal processes, and a comfortable pillow can make that easier.
• Conforming – You may like a firmer pillow, but you’re still going to want to find one that conforms to your head as stress is dispersed on it. Most people move around a little bit throughout the night, and a pillow that contours to pressure points can help you stay asleep through this process.
• Throw Out The Old – If it’s been awhile since you’ve replaced your pillows, or you’re finding that you have to fold your pillow over in order to get it to provide maximum comfort, you would be wise to consider investing in a new pillow set for your bed. With the holidays around the corner, now is the perfect time to do some research and find out which pillow would best help protect your spine and put it on your holiday list. Don’t just say you want a new pillow, find out what would work best for you and ask for that specific model, because as we’ve made clear above, any old pillow won’t cut it. Consider replacing your old pillow this year if you could use an upgrade.

Investing in a quality pillow may not seem like all that important of a move, but considering you’ll spend up to a third of your life with your head and neck on a pillow, it should come as no surprise that you need to protect your neck with a quality pillow. If you have a specific spinal condition and want help picking out a pillow, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we’ll help you as best we can! For more information, or to talk to Dr. Sinicropi about your head and neck issue, give his office a call today at (651) 430-3800.

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