Is Your Pillow Right for You?

You’ve likely heard someone assert they “must have slept wrong,” or perhaps you have made the declaration yourself. But just what does that mean and how might you correct the issue?

Believe it or not, your pillow may be the culprit. Every sleep position pairs best with a specific pillow type and making sure you’ve met your pillow match can be an easy way to get on the path to restful sleep. You should be aiming to keep your head and spine in line, which reduces stress on joints like your hips, knees, and shoulders. We help you break down just what to look for below.

Back Sleepers

If your pillow is too thick, your head will sit too high and increase stress on the muscles of your neck and upper shoulders. Back sleepers should invest in a medium-density pillow that’s thinner and has a curved shape to support the arch in the neck. In addition, placing a small pillow under your knees can ease lower back pressure.

Side Sleepers

Here, the goal is to keep the head positioned equally between the shoulders. The best pillow option is a firmer, thicker pillow that works to fill the gap between the head and the surface of the bed. Placing a pillow between your knees can ease pressure and aid in positioning your hips properly.

Stomach Sleepers

Less support is needed here, so a thin, soft pillow is best to lightly support the head and reduce the likelihood of forcing rotation in your cervical spine. Sleeping on your stomach is the least recommended position though, as it often increases stress on the neck. If you can’t break yourself from sleeping in this position, you’ll benefit from a firmer mattress paired with your thin pillow.

Wondering where to shop? Major retail stores like Bed Bath & Beyond actually separate their pillow selection by sleeping preference, so that can be a great place to start. Try your new pillow for a week and see how you feel. It can take time to feel the benefits, so practice patience.

At Core Health Chiropractic, our mission is to make Berks County healthier one spine at a time, through chiropractic care. We are dedicated to educating and empowering the families in and around our community to make informed decisions about their health. Our goal is to set people free from their current health conditions and to help them reach their optimum potential through neurologically-based chiropractic care. Call us at 610.750.9131 or make an appointment.