Have you ever experienced waking up with neck pain? If this is something that happens far too often, perhaps it’s time to look for lasting upper neck pain relief. It may also help you find proper care if you know the real reason for your neck pain.
Neck pain can stem from different causes, including poor posture, sleeping in an awkward position, or even something as simple as carrying a heavy backpack. But one common cause of neck pain is actually your pillow choice. Yep, that’s right – your pillow, or lack thereof, could be to blame for your aching neck in the morning. Let us tell you more about these reasons:
There’s a recommended type of pillow depending on your usual sleeping position, this is because you need to keep your neck in a neutral position and still maintain proper posture even when you’re sleeping.
There is no single pillow that is compatible with everyone. You will need to give ample support in the natural curve of your neck. For back sleepers, a thin pillow can help keep your neck’s curve the same as when standing up. Side sleepers, on the one hand, need a thicker pillow to keep the neck and head in the middle of the shoulders. On the other hand, if you sleep on your stomach, you may need to switch to a medium firm pillow that can help you prop your body to position sideways. The pillow's material also needs serious consideration. Is feather the right choice for you? Do you sleep better with a memory foam pillow? Are you having a hard time staying asleep because the pillow feels too warm?
To help you find the best pillow for upper neck pain relief, take the time to shop for the most suitable one. When shopping, talk to the sales representative to find the best one for you. Try it before finalizing your purchase and assess if your neck is kept in a neutral position. If your pillow is too soft, it will lose its shape throughout the night and won’t support your head and neck properly. This can cause your head to fall forward, leading to muscle strain and pain in the neck and shoulders. On the other hand, if your pillow is too hard, it can also strain your neck. A too-firm pillow forces your head up and out of alignment with your spine, which can cause pain in the neck and upper back. It can also cause numbness or tingling in the arms due to compression of the nerves in the cervical spine.
Certain sports, particularly those involving many contacts, can be taxing to the head and neck. Therefore, ensure you wear the appropriate headgear to lessen the risks of traumatic injuries.
If you are a professional athlete, it might be best to work with your team’s physical therapist or chiropractor to address post-game issues. Chiropractic care can help correct alignment issues that develop because of the hustle and bustle during the game for that much-needed upper neck pain relief.
You might be thinking this does not apply to me if you have not figured out any accidents recently. Good for you. What about a slip in the kitchen or a bump against a low headroom? People often do not consider these accidents and quickly dismiss the idea that their neck pain might have been due to seemingly innocent events.
Well, they might not have been so painless after all. A simple fall that caused you heaps of embarrassment might have sent force so intense to traverse your spine and reach your head and neck. A bump against a low headroom might not have resulted in swelling. However, dislocated discs can result from your automatic neck snap in response to the pain. Pain can mask pain, so some people find it unbelievable that such simple events cause their neck aches.
Seeing this factor here has likely caused you to feel more stressed out. Increasing levels of stress cause pressure to build up in the body. It is normal for a stressed-out person to feel tightening in the head, neck, and even chest areas when this happens. Did you know that migraines, stiff neck, and heart attack list stress as a significant contributing factor?
If you don’t want to be part of the statistics, incorporating relaxation techniques might help. The adverse effects of stress are countless, so it might be helpful if you start keeping the levels low.
A reputable upper cervical chiropractic doctor can help ease your neck pain woes related to vertebral subluxation or misalignment in the vertebra. Upper cervical care is a technique that requires precise adjustments, mainly on your top two spinal bones. These adjustments will gently restore the spine’s bones and discs to their original alignment. Once the alignment and balance are restored, patients complaining of neck pain may notice and experience a reduction in their pain and discomfort level.
Regular upper cervical care can also help maintain the body’s balance and reduce your chances of recurring painful episodes. Your blood will flow without interference, and your nervous system will be in optimal health. So if you have been looking for a natural approach to address your recurring neck pain, consulting with an upper cervical chiropractic doctor near you may benefit you significantly. Stop blaming your pillows for your neck pain, get your upper cervical spine checked today!
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
