When it comes to back and neck pain, so much talk is centered around the mattress. The material it’s made of and the degree of support it offers can certainly interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, and the pillow is often overlooked. But did you know that your pillow can also be a big contributor to your sleep issues?
Many people are unaware of the important role the pillow can play, so it’s not unusual for them to rely on the cheapest option to get them through the night. It’s not uncommon for people to accumulate many pillows in their quest to find the right one, none of them quite right. The wrong pillow, in addition to the wrong mattress, can lead to more night wakings, neck and back pain, headaches, tingling and numbness in your extremities, and insomnia.
So what should you look for in your search for the perfect new pillow? Here are four things you should know beforehand.
1. Stay away from down and feathers
Feathers and down seem like a great filling idea because they’re so soft, but in reality, they’re not that great. They break down quickly and flatten out during the night, negating any support they might have offered when you first laid down. This lack of support results in loss of sleep and neck pain. They can also cause problems for those who suffer from allergies.
2. Find one that’s customizable
Everyone has different needs when it comes to getting their best sleep, and it can be tough to find a pillow that fulfills those needs perfectly. So look for one you can customize. The SpineAlign pillow has zippered chambers that allow you to adjust the filling however you need—take some out, add some in, or just move it around inside to find what works best for you specifically.
3. Think about how you sleep
In general, stomach sleepers need flat pillows, side sleepers need thicker pillows, and back sleepers are somewhere in the middle. Find a pillow that can adapt as you shift around in your sleep, or that can be adjusted depending on your needs.
4. Prioritize support.
Everyone’s neck needs the right support to function properly and without pain. If the support is lacking, pain in the neck, back, or shoulder can result. So you need pillows that can hold their shape throughout the night, and contour pillows work best for this. Just try to avoid one-piece memory foam as it’s not customizable.
If you suffer regularly from headaches, back, neck, or shoulder pain, or have a hard time sleeping, look at your pillow before your mattress. It’s less of an investment and can make all the difference. Learn more about how the SpineAlign pillow can help you!
