A normal neck curvature should look like a backward "C". This allows the holes on each side of the spine where the nerves exit to be fully open, uninhibited so there is no pressure. The nerves can than freely communicate to the brain with no interference. This also maintains the disc health between each spinal bone. An abnormal cervical curve means there is no curve (also known as military neck) or a reverse curve (also known as a cervical kyphosis).
Some people literally have a closet full of pillows. They could easily go into their closet and pull out one of many different types of pillows to sleep on. How about choosing between a feather pillow or a contoured orthopedic pillow? Which would be better for their neck curvature? Which would help them to sleep better? Which pillow would be more comfortable. Back in 2014, there was a small study that was help answer these specific questions.
In this study there were 10 men and 10 women, age range of 21-30 years old. They compared an orthopedic pillows (pillow a) vs two standard pillows - A feather pillow and a memory foam pillow (pillow b and pillow c)
Each participant was was asked to lay down on their back (in the supine position) with the 3 different pillows for 30 minutes each. The cervical curve, pillow temperature, and pillow comfort were measured.
Here is what the study found:
- When looking at the cervical curve, the orthopedic pillow was significantly higher than that of the other 2 pillows.
- The degree of temperature increase was significantly lower for the orthopedic pillow than for the memory foam and feather pillows.
- The orthopedic pillow was more comfortable than the other 2 pillows (The visual analog scale (VAS) score was higher).
This study shows that pillow shape and content play an important role in cervical curve, pillow temperature, and pillow comfort and orthopedic pillow may be an optimal pillow for sleep quality. Yes, this was a small study- but it still shows that using a pillow that helps your neck curve is going to be better for sleep and better for comfort. What are some examples of orthopedic pillows?
- Arc4life Cervical Traction Pillow
- Tricore Family of Pillows
- Linear gravity neck pillow
- Roscoe cervical pillow
- Xtra Comfort Orthopedic pillow
Keep in mind that an orthopedic pillow can be more difficult to adjust too than a feather pillow or a flat. Your neck is not going to be used the contours on a pillow like this. Often times sleeping on a pillow like this for the whole night is not recommended. It is better to start of slowly: start with 5-10 minutes of sleeping on a new contoured neck pillow, then little by little keep increasing the time on the pillow. If you do wake with neck soreness or stiffness, do gentle neck exercises in the morning. Use a hot pack if needed as well.
Remember we sleep about 1/3rd of our lives. Doing it the best we can is imperative to live our lives to the fullest and healthiest. Why not support your cervical curve and be comfortable while you sleep.
Source: Improving the Quality of Sleep With an Optimal Pillow: A Randomized, Comparative Study Mi Yang Jeon, HyeonCheol Jeong, SeungWon Lee, Wonjae Choi, Jun Hyuck Park, Sa Jin Tak, Dae Ho Choi, Jongeun Yim, 2014 Volume 233 Issue 3 Pages 183-188
Additional Reading:
- Help for a stiff neck in the morning
- The need for a better desk and workstation when working from home
- 10 cervical pillows that work for better sleep: 2020 edition
- Using the Mckenzie exercises for neck pain relief
- Bob and Brad discuss pillows for a pinched nerve
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