How often should you change your pillow? What is the best pillow for optimal neck and spine support? Here is an article that answers those questions and more.
One in three Americans report difficulty sleeping, so it comes as no shock to me when the questions of what pillow I recommend comes from patients, or people in the community.
The most common problems I see is most people don’t put much thought into their pillow purchases, and their pillows are not properly changed.
Let’s start with the first problem: not thinking before you buy a pillow. All pillows are not created equal. And the pillow that is right for me, may not be right for you. Your pillow, just like your mattress is a personal choice, but regardless of that choice there are many basic truths that that pillow should have to provide you, your neck and shoulders with adequate support for a full night’s rest.
The second mistake is not replacing your pillow often enough or at all. I know this may sound foreign to you, but your pillow should be changed at least 1x a year!
Why you ask? For starters, the pillow is nasty and dirty after a year of sleeping on it! You have sweated, drooled, and who knows what else all over that pillow. And no, just because you used a clean pillow case on it, does not mean it is clean. Sorry.
Besides the obvious unsanitary portion of a year old pillow. The main reason to replace it after a year is the structural integrity of the pillow is degraded and/or gone. That means that your cervical lordosis is not getting adequate support while you sleep, which can lead to neck and shoulder pain, headaches, jaw pain and in general loss of sleep and fatigue each night.
I personally use a cervical contour pillow, and professionally recommend this style of pillow to most all patients or anyone asking advice. This type of pillow aids in proper cervical alignment, and natural lordosis. But again, pillows are a personal choice! Find a Pillow that will support the alignment of your neck and shoulders and is comfortable! And then remember to buy a new one at least 1x a year!
If you’re suffering from neck and shoulder pain, or headaches, maybe you need to reevaluate the type and age of your pillow. And you should also have your spine evaluated by a Chiropractor to determine if there are any structural misalignments that could benefit from care. If you have any questions of concerns, please feel free to contact us at the office, 919-977-5744.
~Dr. Danielle Vann
I suffered with chronic head, neck and back pain for numerous years and tried many aspects of treatment. It wasn’t until I landed in Dr. Vann’s care that I began to have serious improvements.