The Queen of Neck Pillows

A pillow under the tree for Christmas

Well, the Christmas season 2011 is underway. Customers have been known to pepper spray each other, just to get their hands on an Xbox.  I know this year i have heard of people giving kindles, the american doll, or maybe even the Air Swimmer Remote Control Inflatable Flying Shark. But what about the gift of health? At the Neck Pain Relief shop, some of our most popular gifts that we have been sending customers are neck pillows. Sounds Ho-Hum right? Why would you get someone a neck pillow for Christmas this year. Here are few good candidates for a neck pillow:

• someone who suffers from neck pain
• someone who has constant headaches
• someone who has trouble sleeping
• some who complains about a stiff neck
• Someone who has numbness and tingling in their hands and arms
• Someone who has had a recent surgery

Those are a few reasons for putting a neck pillow under the tree. So which neck pillow would i recommend?

My top recommendation would be the arc4life cervical linear traction neck pillow. This versatile neck pillow can two sides to it: a traction side and a support roll side. It is not too firm and not to soft. Great for someone who has a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and cervical arthritis and degeneration. It will help with a stiff neck and overall neck pain.

My second recommendation would be the arc4life linear gravity pillow- mainly because it is a very versatile support neck pillow. It comes in 3 sizes: small, medium and large. It has two neck rolls on it: one softer, one firmer. These are just two of my recommendations. To see our full selection of neck pillows, got the neck pain relief shop- that is what we specialize in: neck pillows

Happy Holidays everyone 

                                        - the Neck Pillow Queen

Additional Reading Resources:

• Choosing the right pillow for you
• What to do for a herniated disc in the neck
• Neck and Shoulder Pain
• I wake up with sore and stiff shoulders every morning
• How to Reduce the chances of getting a stiff neck

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A Water Pillow Recommended by Chiropractors

The Mediflow Waterbase Pillow is recommended by chiropractors and health professionals who are looking for a comfortable  pillow that is clinically shown to improve the quality of sleep and decrease neck pain. It provides proper sleep by allowing the natural cervical curve to naturally aligned. Particularly for patients who suffer from chronic or acute neck pain, this pillows changes with you as you sleep, and as your sleep position changes.

There is an easy to fill water pouch that adjusts to your desired level of firmness and support. You can have soft or firm support under your neck. There is a cushion of hypoallergenic polyester fiber that rests over the water layer, and a thermal insulator that prevents heat loss. 

 

Logan chiropractic college completed a chronic neck pain study. The findings provide evidence that the use of the mediflow waterbase pillow will resulted in  reduction of neck pain and disability and improved sleep quality in subjects with chronic neck pain. 

In another sleep study, the water base pillow was shown in the majority of those studied to be better than the user's regular pillow and to be associated with an enhanced quality of sleep. Also most subjects indicated they would continue to use the waterbase pillow, in place of their regular pillow, and they were very satisfied with the waterbase pillow. 

Additional Reading Resources:

• Frequently asked questions about the Mediflow Water Based neck Pillow
• How to Choose the Best Neck Pillow for Better Sleep and Better Posture
• How to Treat A Stiff Neck
• Sleep Like a Baby Tonight: Getting Good ZZZZ's is not so hard to do
• Sleeping on your Side with a Cervical Support Pillow

Use Your Neck Pillow Along with Neck Exercises for Best Results

Some of us have extremely tight neck muscles, a complete loss of the cervical curve or substantial neck pain quite often. This is why it is often helpful to get your neck used to using a pillow with neck support.

We must gradually change the alignment of the neck to reduce soreness. Going from one extreme to another may somewhat shock the body. For example, going from a military neck to one with a normal lordosis- and your body will feel the effects. When we change alignment, stretch, or use muscles differently, and move things that haven’t been moved in awhile, the outcome is sometimes soreness.

If you frequently stretch or use neck exercises to keep neck muscles loose and the cervical spine mobile and accustomed to better neck posture, then this will help you to get used to a new neck pillow.

Also, when making corrections in neck posture or vertebral alignment we will often be stretching or strengthening neck muscles as well as certain ligaments and tendons. Having these muscles ready and in better shape helps us to get faster and more lasting results.

Additional Reading Resources

• Neck Exercises
• How to Choose the Right Neck Pillow
• If you have Forward  Head Posture, What Other Posture Might You Have?
• Sleeping On Your Side Using A Cervical Support Pillow
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit

Such Variety of Neck Traction Devices...

Truly, the key to neck traction is to restore the neck curve not just stretch the neck.  I like easy things to use like using the traction pillow at night and using something like the neck orthotic whenever you can.

The pronex and posture pump worked fantastic when I was really working to restore my curve, now for maintenance I use the neck orthotic. I use the soft one but either may work fine for you.

^{Posture Right Neck Orthotic- Soft}



Additonal Reading Resources

• Posture Right Traction - Soft Neck Orthotic
• Neck Traction
• How to Choose the Right Neck Pillow for Sleeping
• How to Use the Neck Traction Collar for Neck Pain Relief
• Neck Pain Episode- I need the right pillow to get me through the pain…

If You Have Forward Head Posture, What Other Posture Might You Have?

Forward Head Carriage is one of the most (if not the most) postural misalignments that is seen. The bad thing is that so many misalignments go hand and hand with it.

The first is rolled shoulders. Your shoulders should be back, but shift your head forward and see how hard it is to keep your head back. The Posture Corrector is the best tool I have found to help correct this posture. Fixing the shoulder also we help keep the head from shifting too far forward.

The next postural abnormality is hunching of the upper back, this is otherwise known as a dowager's hump. The upper back starts hunching up, following the forward shifted neck. We all remember "Egor" from Frankenstein - nobody wants to look like that! this is also known as Upper Crossed Syndrome. Patients with this syndrome often have tightened trapezius, pectoralis and levator scapulae muscles. Weakness is often seen in the neck flexors, rhomboids and serratus anterior muscles. A patient may also present with face and neck pain, difficulty breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), difficulty swallowing, and migraine headaches.

One more posture that is associated with forward head is extension of the low back. You see you body always keeps your eyes even with the hoizon. Once the neck shifts forward, the eyes go in the down direction slightly. What occurs is that one ends up leaning back which in-turn brings the eyes even with the horizon.

The best things that you can use at home to combat any of these postures are the traction pillow, the posture pump 1000, and the posture corrector.

Additional Reading:

• The Dreaded "Hunchback" - How To Correct That Area Of Your Upper Back That Pops Out And Looks Funny!
• How Maintaining your Spine Angles helps to Maintain your Health!
• One Solution for Neck Pain - Traction
• Pinched Nerve in the Neck
• Exercises for the Neck

Most Forgiving Neck Pillow

The pillow I often recommend for variability is our Deluxe Water Pillow.The reason being is that you can adjust the firmness.

Water instantly responds to changing body positions at night and therefore make a very comfortable neck pillow. You can also change the amount of support for your neck. IF you want a soft support pillow, decrease the amount of water in the displacement panel. If you want firm support, add water. There is also a built- in neck lobe that helps to keep your head and neck in their most natural position. This water pillow is very versatile and fully adjustable to fit every patient.

One of the most common factors that decides pillow comfort is if it’s firm enough, or soft enough, etc … So, if you’re having difficulty getting a pillow with the right firmness or softness, try the Core Deluxe Water Pillow.

 
This water neck pillow actually does a great job of supporting the cervical spine. It has a water chamber with a displacement panel. The displacement panel provides mild support by allowing the water to better conform to the unique shape of your neck. Also, you don't hear the sound of the water because the displacement panel quiets the sound down.

Another feature of the neck pillow, is that there is a built in neck lobe that aids in restoring and maintaining your head and neck in the most natural position. Also great for someone who snores. The great thing is that you can use the pillow with our without the water chamber. This water pillow can  be used in many different ways, and it comes highly recommended.

The Core Deluxe Water Pillow is available at the Neck Pain Relief Shop:

The Neck Pain Relief Shop > Adjustable Neck Pillows > Core Deluxe Water Neck Pillow

More information about the Core Deluxe Water Neck Pillow:

• Dimensions: 24" x 15" (66 cm x 38 cm)
• Color: White- Stripe-patterned cover
• Cover: Cotton Sateen
• Can Be Used By Back or Side Sleepers

Additional Reading Resources:

• Neck Pillows
• Acute Neck Pain
• Should I use a Firm or Gentle Neck Pillow ?
• The Benefits of Using a Cervical Support Neck Pillow
• How Can I stop Sleeping On My Stomach?

Don’t Forget about your Neck Exercises!!

 
  A lot of people, once their neck pain goes away, stop doing their neck stretches, stop using their neck pillow, forget about their posture, etc …

Getting rid of your neck pain is extremely important, but keeping it away is just as important. My recommendation is to get yourself in the habit of keeping up with your neck exercises and stretches. You don’t have to do them everyday, but a few times a week is very beneficial.

It’s sort of like flossing your teeth; you don’t have to do it all the time, but it can help prevent teeth issues. None of us like a tooth ache, cavity, or even spending extra time at the dentist. Not to mention the cost. Just like neck pain- see your doctor and the bill seems huge, and you may not get any relief.

So save time and money in the future- avoid neck discomfort or neck pains by doing some regular neck exercises or neck stretches.

Additional Reading Resources

• The Best Neck Exercise to Prevent Foward Head Posture
• Why Posture is the Window To your Health
• Loss of Curvature in the Neck- "military neck"
• Which Neck Pillow is Right for My Needs?
• Cervical Supports and Neck Traction