1. A Real Pain in the Neck
People often use the term "pain in the neck" to refer to irritating people in their life, but real neck pain is more painful than listening to Aunt Mildred's constant chatter. Many bones, ligaments, joints and disks make up the neck, also known as the cervical spine. When neck pain develops, it can come from poor posture or arthritis. Other times, an injury like a bulging disk or whiplash is to blame. When neck pain comes from sleeping funny, relieve discomfort with pain relievers and heat. However, thousands of people suffer from chronic neck pain that makes getting through the day difficult.
2. Pillow Talk
No doubt, you enjoy your regular bed pillows, but ask yourself if they could be causing the pain in your cervical spine. A pillow should hold your neck and spine in alignment with the rest of your body. Correct alignment shows a neck curved slightly forward to hold the weight of a head. Piling on the pillows causes stress on neck muscles and so does a pillow that sits too low. Pain also results from sleeping with your neck at too high or too low of an angle. Feather pillows adjust to a person's natural neck alignment best.
3. Treat Your C-Spine Nicely
If you suffer from neck pain, consider purchasing a cervical pillow or orthopedic pillow shaped to fit the head and neck. Using neck pillows for neck pain relieves any pressure in the neck. Unlike regular pillows, these pillows cradle your head while providing extra support under your neck. Your head and neck rest at the correct angle and in alignment with the entire body. While a neck pillow can't banish arthritis pain, it can give your neck the support it needs to rest easier for a good night's sleep.
4. Rest Neck Muscles with an Orthopedic Collar
If daytime neck pain has you down, ask your doctor if using an orthopedic or cervical collar is right for you. These contoured foam collars fasten snugly around the neck and are what you commonly see on whiplash victims. Typical instructions recommend wearing a collar for short periods of up to an hour each time. Don't use a collar if neck pain worsens after removing the collar. Some people who use orthopedic collars have trouble putting them on by themselves due to the neck pain they already experience. So, it may be a two-person job.
5. Replace Pillows Regularly
Pillows wear out. They wear out faster than people realize. Among regular pillows, feather pillows loose the "oomph" that supports the neck as soon as a year after beginning use. With regular use, some orthopedic pillows may need replacing within a year or two. Ask your pillows if they support you. If the answer is no, it's time to buy new ones.
