Jodi has been struggling to get a good night’s sleep for the past few months. She always wakes up with excruciating pain that alternates between her shoulders, neck, and upper back. She has been working to stretch and strengthen the affected muscles, but it seems like every morning she awakes with her problems renewed. She was expressing her frustrations with a friend, and they asked her about her pillow. She was taken aback and had to admit that she never put much thought into the pillow she was using. The question made her curious and she went home and searched “What is the best pillow for neck and shoulder pain?”
Your pillow can play a major role in the neck or shoulder discomfort you experience, simply because of the natural requirements of sleep. When we sleep, we are holding a specific position for hours at a time, and if we are not taking the proper precautions to support the spine and ease the muscles while they are still, we will often wake up with intolerable pain. If you are experiencing chronic neck and shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with the RxWellness Vienna chiropractic team, and learn how combining chiropractic care with the right pillow can alleviate some of that discomfort.
Why Do You Need A Pillow
While you are sleeping, your body is held in a prolonged position for a sustained period of time. This means the muscles and joints are held in that preferred position for eight hours a night, seven times a week. And if they do not receive the proper support from the correct pillow, you will experience chronic pain that is renewed every night.
A pillow is the best way to support the natural shape of the body and should keep the spine in a neutral position throughout the night. Your pillow should support the back and neck during sleep and relieve stress at specific points of the body.
If you are suffering from chronic neck and shoulder pain, it is likely that your pillow is playing a significant factor. While things like occupation and hobbies will impact neck and shoulder pain, the right pillow will either make the problem better or worse.
The RxWellness Vienna team understands the importance of securing the best pillow, and we can help you identify the right pillow for your body type and preferred sleeping position. In addition to providing you with valuable information to protect your future wellness, we can also provide chiropractic care to address your immediate discomfort.
What is the Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain?
Finding the right pillow to alleviate neck and shoulder pain will depend on your preferred sleeping position.
If you sleep on your back you need a pillow with medium loft and firmness to relieve pressure off the neck and shoulders. It should provide a buffer between the mattress and hold the head and neck in place while preventing them from sinking into the bed.
If you sleep on your side you need a firm pillow with a high loft that allows the head to be propped up and aligned with the spine. A higher loft also relieves pressure off the shoulders and prevents them from bearing the brunt of the body’s weight.
If you sleep on your stomach you need a pillow with a low loft that is soft and compressible. It should be soft enough to prevent the neck from craning upwards while you sleep.
Supporting the spine should be your top priority when searching for the right pillow. So, regardless of how you prefer to sleep, you need to maintain the spine’s neutral position every night. 
RxWellness Spine & Health Vienna
A pillow might seem like an insignificant luxury, but it can be the difference between getting a good night’s sleep and waking up with neck and shoulder pain. If you’ve never given much thought to the type of pillow you have, then it’s time to consult with a professional to learn more about the important role a pillow can play in your neck and shoulder wellness. When you work with the RxWellness Vienna chiropractic team, we can help you determine the correct pillow for you based on your body type and sleeping position.
When you receive chiropractic care from the RxWellness Spine & Health integrated medical team in Vienna , we will also provide you with valuable information on ways to better protect your joints and preserve your long-term wellness. Working with a chiropractor is a great way to experience relief from chronic discomfort, and the best way to stay informed about ways to keep your body in its optimal position. You are always encouraged to ask questions about exercise tips, sleeping recommendations, or treatment plans. The RxWellness Vienna chiropractic team is here to help relieve your chronic discomfort and keep you aware of how to protect your health for the years to come.
Contact Us
Contact Us It’s so important to understand the role your pillow can play in your neck and shoulder health. If you are currently in the market for a new pillow and are trying to determine what is the best pillow for neck and shoulder pain, then schedule your consultation with the RxWellness Vienna chiropractic team. We will help you understand the importance of maintaining the neutral position of the spine and the effects it has on the long-term health of the joints and muscles. If you have any questions or are looking for help in finding the best pillow, please give the Herndon chiropractic team a call at 1(703) 904 9666 or book a consultation online.