Are you waking up with neck pain?
Waking up with neck pain and stiffness, this is definitely not the way you want to start your day. You go to bed intending to get a solid 7 hours sleep and hope to wake up feeling refreshed. Here’s a few factors that may be contributing to your neck pain:
Your Pillow – Your head weighs more than 10 pounds so your pillow needs to provide sufficient support, as well as comfort. If your pillow is not appropriate the neck can be put under strain. Your nose should be in line with the center of your body, or your spine. When side lying, if you pillow is too high, your neck and head will be bent upwards. On the other hand, if your pillow to low, your head and neck will be bent downwards.
Your Mattress – A bed that is too soft will not be giving your spine enough support so will allow it to go out of alignment and possibly cause muscle stiffness. A mattress which is too hard may put too much pressure on certain parts of the body and result in pain, especially in the hips and shoulders. When lying on your back the mattress should support you enough so the natural curves of your spine remain. Get someone to slide there hand behind the small of your back. If there is a gap between your low back and the bed, then the mattress is too hard and is not supporting your back. If the person struggles to get their hand underneath your back because your back is rounding, then the mattress is far too soft. If the persons hand slides through but stays in contact with your back, then this is a good mattress for you. If you lie on your side on the mattress your spine should remain straight. The mattress should be both supportive and comfortable.
Your sleeping position – You have probably been sleeping in the same position for years. If you are stomach sleeper I am afraid you are not doing your neck any favours. When sleeping on your front you have to have your neck rotated all the way to one side. Try and sleep on your back or on your side. To help maintain the natural curves of your spine, if you sleep on your side place a pillow between your knees, and if you sleep on your back place a pillow under your knees.
If after assessing and changing all the above you are still waking up with pain, we may be able to help you. It may be that a part of your spine is a little stiff or the muscles are tight, meaning your spine is not moving efficiently and is unable to adjust to your normal sleeping position.
