Can soft pillows cause neck pain?

"If your neck is bent in any way for an extended period of time, you'll get uncomfortable," explains Matthew O'Rourke, a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. He says a pillow that's too soft or too firm often leads to neck pain.


Is a hard or soft pillow better for your neck?

A firm pillow provides more support for the neck than a softer pillow, which may help to prevent pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. A firm pillow may also be less likely to collapse during the night, providing a consistent level of support.

What happens if your pillow is too soft?

The wrong pillow can stretch your neck muscles and cause your head to be out of alignment with your spine. If the pillow is too plush or too thin, it can't adequately support your head and keep it in alignment with your spine.


How do I know if my neck hurts from a pillow?

Your Pillow Is Too Thick And Firm

If your pillow is forcefully bending your neck toward your chest while sleeping on your back, or to one side when sleeping in the fetal position, it could be that your pillow is too thick.

Why do soft pillows hurt my head?

If a pillow is too hard, it can apply pressure to a person's head while sleeping, which could easily result in a headache. If a pillow is too soft, a person's head will sink at an awkward angle, which could cause pain. Sleeping on a medium-firm pillow that supports the head and neck would be a better option.


The 6 Best Pillows for Neck Pain - Better Spinal Alignment for More Comfort!



Is it good to sleep on a soft pillow?

By using a softer pillow, your head will be closer to the mattress, keeping the integrity of your neck's natural alignment. Down or loose fiber fill is recommended to allow you to breathe easy while on your stomach. Restless Sleepers. There are those among us who will sleep one way one night, another way another night.

How do I know if my pillow is too high or too low?

The notch above the sternum is called the suprasternal notch. These two areas should be level when lying on your side. If the philtrum is lying higher than the suprasternal notch then your pillow is too high. If the philtrum is lying lower than the suprasternal notch then your pillow is too low.

What kind of pillow is best for neck pain?

A 2020 study discovered that latex and memory foam are the best pillow materials for neck pain. This is because these materials provide neck support, which can improve sleep quality.


How do I get rid of neck pain from pillows?

Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice shortly after a neck strain may help limit the swelling. Ice applications tend to be best for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Heat therapy, such as taking a warm shower or using a heating pad, helps loosen and relax the muscles, which may also reduce pain and improve range of motion.

How do you stop a pillow hurting your neck?

Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head.

Should your shoulders be on your pillow?

Your head and neck should lie comfortably on the pillow to ensure that the spine is elongated. Like the back sleep position, your shoulders should fall just beneath the pillow and rest comfortably on the surface of the bed.


Do people prefer firm or soft pillows?

While too soft pillows get flattened, over time, with the pressure of the head, the firm ones tend to maintain their loft. Firm pillows ideally provide good support to the head, neck, and back. Stomach sleepers usually prefer soft pillows while side sleepers would prefer a firm one.

How many times a week should you change your pillow?

Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you're using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you'll be able to tell when it's time to replace your pillows.

Why does my neck hurt when I wake up?

One of the most common causes of neck pain is having your neck twisted or bent too far in any direction for a long time. If you wake up in the morning with a painful neck, it may be because your pillow is not supporting your head and neck in the right position, which is described as a "neutral" position.


Do side sleepers need firm or soft pillow?

We recommend the firm design for side sleepers, as this option provides the most loft to cushion the space between your head and shoulder. For many side sleepers, down pillows tend to sink excessively, and this lack of support often leads to neck pain.

Is a thin or thick pillow better for neck pain?

When sleeping on your side you should choose a pillow that is thick enough to lift your head up, but not too thick or thin that it causes your head to bend. The greater amount of time your neck spends in a neutral position throughout the night, the less likely it is that you will wake up with neck discomfort.

Why do pillows make my neck hurt?

Your pillow's job is to hold your neck and head at the right height to prevent unnecessary strain. A pillow that's too high or too low can cause pressure to build up as the neck tries to compensate for the lack of support.


Should you sleep with a pillow if your neck hurts?

For all sleep positions with neck pain, you should use a pillow under your neck that provides support, such as a rolled towel or cervical pillow. There is also such a thing as neck pain from sleeping wrong. Sometimes you wake up with neck pain.

Why is my neck so sore in bed?

The most common causes are: the neck becoming locked in an awkward position while sleeping. bad posture – for example, when sitting at a desk for a long time. a pinched nerve.

What pillows do chiropractors recommend for neck pain?

Try a memory foam or hybrid pillow – These are usually the best for your neck. They allow your cervical spine to maintain a neutral position, and they last longer than a standard pillow.


Is it better to have a thick or thin pillow?

The right pillow will keep everything in line with your spine, from your head to your feet. A thin pillow, rather than a thick one, will do the job while preventing your head and neck from tilting up too much, disrupting the line of your spine.

What happens if your pillow is too high?

If the height of the pillow is too high when sleeping sideways or on the back, the neck is bent abnormally forward or to the side, causing muscle strain on the back of the neck and shoulders.

How thick should a pillow be for side sleepers?

Generally, side sleepers should aim for a pillow that's 3 to 6 inches thick; the goal is to keep your head and neck in a straight line with your spine.


Is it better to sleep on soft or firm?

For those not experiencing troublesome back pain, a firm mattress is will generally be more comfortable. When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved.

How many times a week should you change your bedsheets?

Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.
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