Neck pain is often caused by sleeping in an awkward position. Choosing a firm mattress and pillow, and sleeping on your back or with a pillow that aligns your spine can help prevent neck pain. Sewing a tennis ball to your pajama top can also prevent stomach sleeping.
Neck pain is a common problem that many people experience on a daily basis. This type of pain typically occurs after the neck, or cervical spine, has been bent or twisted for too long. Neck pain after sleeping often occurs when a person sleeps with their neck bent at an odd angle. An individual can usually avoid this pain by doing something as simple as changing their mattress, pillow, or sleeping position.
The right mattress is an important first step towards neck pain prevention. Most experts recommend that a mattress be firm to support the body and prevent the spine from bending out of shape. Mattresses that are too soft or sagging can allow the spine to bend while a person sleeps. A firm pillow-top mattress will provide the support your spine needs, cushion your body, and provide added comfort.
Probably one of the simplest things a person can do to avoid neck pain after sleeping is to change the pillow. A pillow that is too low can cause your head to tilt down, stretching your neck, while a pillow that is too high can cause your head to tilt up. Both of these sleeping positions can cause pain in the morning. An ergonomic or neck pillow is often recommended, which can provide proper head support and prevent neck strain. Choosing the right pillow, however, often depends on the position in which a person sleeps.
Sleeping on your back is generally considered one of the best sleeping positions if neck pain is a chronic problem. Most people who sleep on their backs, however, toss and turn during the night, ending up on their sides or stomach. When sleeping on your side, a pillow that properly aligns your spine, keeping it straight, is considered essential.
Stomach sleepers often experience neck pain after sleeping because the head is usually turned to one side to prevent the face from being pushed into the pillow. This position twists the cervical spine, and if a person’s neck stays in this position for too long, it can lead to pain and stiffness in the morning.
Most people can’t really decide what position they end up in during sleep, but there are some things that can be done to avoid the positions that lead to neck pain. For example, some people find it helpful to put a pillow right next to them when they go to bed, which can sometimes keep them from rolling onto their stomachs. You can also sew a tennis ball to the front or side of your pajama top, which can be extremely uncomfortable if you happen to roll over it while you sleep. This will usually roll you onto your back again, preventing a stiff neck in the morning.
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