Choosing the Right Pillow

Are you aware, that most injuries to your neck are caused by not sleeping properly?

As you spend about one- third of your life sleeping, it is most important to prevent or manage neck pain by choosing the right type of pillow for sleeping. A common cause of neck pain is having your neck bent or twisted too far for a long time. This can cause you finding that when you wake up your neck is stiff and painful through your pillow; not supporting your head and neck in a correct position.

It has been found that most injuries to the neck start while you are asleep. Not sleeping properly in a good position compromises your neck, that is why it is so important to have a pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck for quality sleep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that adults should have from seven to nine hours quality sleep a night for optimal health, productivity, and daytime alertness.

Sleeping positions

If you like sleeping on your side, use a pillow that without tilting your head just fills the space between your ear and the mattress. If your preference is sleeping on your back, the pillow should hold your head comfortably from tilting backward or forward.

With so many pillow options for choice, aim for a pillow that gives you a good support and a good nights rest.

About Pillows

Feather pillows are easily moulded for your head shape and offer less resistance than those made of foam. Feather pillows are comfortable to use as long as you are not allergic to down or feathers.

Water-filled pillows give your neck support by absorbing and redistributing weight. A study at John Hopkins found there were some advantages to sleeping with a water-filled pillow over those of down, foam, or cervical, with the reduction of neck pain by some of the study participants.

Cervical pillows are roll-shaped and designed to relieve stress and pain of the neck by keeping the natural shape of head and neck while you sleep.

Phiten Shiatsu natural foam pillows provide a quality comfort cushion to shape the contours of your neck and head. These pillows are filled with Phiten’s Aqua Gold Silicon balls to stimulate the acupressure points on the head and neck as well as to relieve fatigue.

Orthopaedic pillows are pillows designed to maintain a natural curve of your neck.

Fluffy pillows are not good for sleeping on your back. Your pillow should only raise your head and neck just enough for keeping your spine straight while you sleep.

In general, if you wake up feeling heavy-headed and still tired, or you tend to doze off during the day, it means that you are not having an adequate amount of sleep. Research, suggests that skimping on your sleep may lead to permanent brain damage of compromising alertness and brain power and that oversleeping on the weekends cannot make up for the loss.