How to Sleep with Neck Pain and Wake Up Without Stiffness

Has a stiff neck gotten your admiration as to the reason behind the sudden pain? There are multiple reasons as to why neck pain occurs as you sleep, some of which are the pillow you sleep on, your posture, and your sleeping position. Does the pillow you sleep on hurt your neck?

Sleeping Habits that Cause Neck Pain

A pillow should keep your neck parallel to your head. If it's too high or too low and your neck isn't parallel to your head, your neck tends to remain tense. The stress your body is under will be the source of the pain that you will feel in your neck, even after you think you’ve had a good night’s sleep.

Considering a supportive pillow is the next best thing to a pain-relief solution.  Memory Foam Cervical Pillows are made to support the curvature of the neck and not allow strain to occur over long periods of rest.

Best Sleeping Positions for Neck Pain

Sleeping positions can be more or less supportive to your spine. Here is a guide on what positions are least supportive and which positions are most supportive.

Best Position

Sleeping on your back is the best position to support your neck. Sleeping on your back allows for the most weight distribution across your head, resulting in the least amount of cervical spine pressure. A low to middle loft pillow is the best option to make sure your neck is in line with your spine, and doesn’t bow forward.

Worst Position

Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position for your neck, hands down. Sleeping on your stomach causes your head to assume a strange position. The best recommendation is to twist your head forward a pillow to counterbalance the pressure that results.

Switching Positions

If you are switching between your back and your side sleeper throughout the night, a pillow that has bi support will best support both positions. One that is a firmer type of pillow is a good option.

What Might Be Wrong with Your Pillow

To get to the bottom of neck pain after sleeping, the culprit usually ends up being your pillow. Common pillow problems:

• A soft pillow can let your head sink too low, which puts strain on your upper spine.

• A pillow that is too firm provides upper neck strain due to a push-up and hijacks your neck's natural alignment.

• An old, flat pillow is nothing more than an accessory, as it is all but gone in terms of real orthopedic support.

• A mismatched pillow in a sleeping position can cause uneven pressure.

The quickest pick-me-up, along with some neck pain cushion support, is choosing the ideal pillow to help give you neck pain relief.

Morning Stiffness Is a Sign, Not a Routine

You should never accept a stiff feeling when you wake up. Neck stiffness relief begins with your sleep position and not your pain tolerance. If stiffness greets you more than twice a week, your current setup is not doing the job it is supposed to.

Back sleepers usually need a slight incline. A Memory Foam Wedge Pillow elevates your upper body, which alleviates pressure from your spine while you sleep.

Picking a Pillow for Your Sleep Posture

Smart design regarding styling for your aesthetic and support for your cervical spine is great. However, aesthetics isn't everything. Here is a simple guide:

• For back sleepers, a medium-low pillow alleviates chin elevation

• Side sleepers will find support from a firmer, taller pillow

• Combination sleepers benefit from a dual-zone or contoured pillow

For those always on the go, the Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow offers cervical support for various positions. Our Cushions & Support collection provides all the aids needed to fulfill your full sleep setup vision.

Habits That Help You Wake Up Pain-Free

A supportive sleep position is only part of waking up pain-free. Your pre-sleep routines can also play a role. For muscle tension relief, gentle neck rolls can work to help. Staring down at a phone before sleep is bad for your neck, and your bad sleep posture only worsens the problem.

Your sleep surface matters, and this Bamboo Pillowcase Set can decrease surface friction, enhance comfort, and help you maintain a better supportive position while sleeping. Plus it keeps you from overheating while you sleep.

Some painless habits and rearranging your sleep environment can turn your painful mornings into better, more restorative days.