Are you one of the millions Americans who suffer from neck pain? If not, it’s very probable that you know someone who does. Indeed, neck pain is a very widespread problem because the head and neck area is very susceptible to several stressors. Neck pain can also be produced by muscle strains, osteoarthritis, and herniated intervertebral discs. In fact, something as trivial as a bad position can produce an unhealthy alignment of the neck and spine, resulting in moderate to severe pain.
One of the most common causes of neck pain is a bad posture while sleeping. In face, most people have poor posture habits not only when they sleep, but also throughout their day, and they don’t even notice. Even doing something that seems completely harmless (like reading in bed without a posture pillow) can eventually lead to neck pain or even more serious issues.
A basic suggestion is to avoid sitting in the same position for a prolonged periods of time. Unfortunately, many people spend most of their workday behind a desk, at a computer, or answering phones. The key is to not curve or bend the neck forward during long periods, as the neck and back should have enough support to achieve better posture.
Most people don’t realize how big a part our sleeping habits play in bodily aches and pains. Why is this the case? Most people use regular pillows that angle the neck either too high or too low and don’t maintain a straight spinal position throughout the night; consequently, they can cause neck pain, back pain, discomfort, and exhaustion. This drooping sleep surface typically provokes an unhealthy spine alignment, thus the muscles of the back will attempt to balance by tensing up to try and restore a more natural posture. However, this muscle tension instead produces the morning stress and the neck and back pains.
Therefore, the best way to avoid and relieve neck pain is to maintain a correct posture. Try out a pillow designed to ease muscle cramping and body pains. Memory foam pillows (full pillows or just neck pillows) can be especially helpful, as they adjust to the shape of your body and are designed to redistribute your weight, encouraging better circulation and eliminating neck and spinal pressure.