Living with neck pain in the heart of Redwood City, CA, can feel like a never-ending battle. It can cause you to toss and turn all night and wake up with stiffness and aches. All these are more than enough to make anyone grumpy! That's where Dr. Pete Tsiglieris, your trusted Redwood City CA Upper Cervical Chiropractor, comes in. He understands the unique challenges faced by neck pain sufferers in our community. Read on to learn key tips on how to relieve your pain with the help of choosing better pillows and checking if you have an atlas subluxation.
Your neck is a complex network of bones, muscles, and nerves, all working together to keep your head held high (literally!). But when those parts get out of whack, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and sleepless nights. That's where your pillow comes in. The right pillow acts like a supportive friend, keeping your neck in proper alignment so everything can relax and recharge while you sleep.
Shopping for pillows can be overwhelming, with countless options vying for your attention. Do you need a firm pillow or a soft one? Memory foam or down? And what about those fancy contoured pillows? It's enough to make your head spin (and not in a good way!). As you narrow down your options, here are some helpful facts to consider:
These specially designed pillows feature a dip in the middle for your head and a raised area to support your neck. They're excellent for maintaining proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure points. A contour pillow could be your ticket to a more comfortable night's sleep if you're a side or back sleeper struggling with neck pain.
These materials conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing ample support and pressure relief. They're great for all sleeping positions and can benefit those with chronic neck pain or stiffness.
If you prefer a softer, more plush feel, feather and down pillows might be your go-to. While they might not offer the same level of support as memory foam or latex, they can still be a good option for some individuals, especially stomach sleepers.
Finding the right pillow is a great first step, but sometimes, neck pain goes deeper than your bedding. A misalignment in your upper cervical spine, called an atlas subluxation, could be the root of your discomfort.
Our Redwood City CA Upper Cervical Chiropractor, Dr. Pete Tsiglieris, specializes in correcting atlas subluxations and helping patients find chronic neck pain relief. Don't let neck pain steal any more of your precious sleep. Schedule a consultation today to discover how atlas bone adjustment can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day!
The ideal is a medium-firm pillow that provides support while being comfortable enough to accommodate individual sleep positions and movements.
For some, particularly back sleepers, no pillow might actually improve neck stiffness. However, side sleepers will likely benefit more from a supportive pillow to keep their neck aligned.
A contoured or cervical pillow made of memory foam is recommended for side sleepers. These pillows provide the necessary support to maintain alignment of the neck with the spine.
Yes, overly firm pillows can elevate the head unnaturally, leading to improper alignment and potential pain or stiffness in the neck.
Consult with Dr. Pete so you can determine if you are a good candidate for an atlas subluxation. He will assess your condition and explain how Upper Cervical Care can help you heal and feel better.