Lying on your side is the best sleep position for decreasing neck and back pain, according to a 2019 review. It may also be the best option for people who snore, are pregnant, or have digestive problems like acid reflux. Side sleeping helps keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body.
What is the best sleeping position for neck pain? Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head.
What is the fastest way to cure a stiff neck? There's no shortcut to cure a stiff neck. Gentle heat, stretching and over-the-counter pain medicines are usually the best ways to decrease neck stiffness quickly.
While research is limited, anecdotal reports show that sleeping without a pillow can help reduce neck and back pain for some sleepers. Stomach sleepers are generally best suited for going pillowless, because the lower angle of the neck encourages better spinal alignment in this position.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Conversely, if the height of the pillow is too low, the neck muscles can also be strained. Based on the body's measurements and personal preference, the pillow should maintain a height of 4 to 6 inches, properly supporting the head and neck (and shoulders when lying on back).
How to choose and use the best pillow. The rule of thumb for a proper pillow is that it should keep your neck parallel to the mattress, rather than bent down or up. “The most common mistake people make is choosing a pillow that bends your neck forward or to one side,” Dr. Bang says.
Massage — Massaging your neck and its surrounding tissue can help reduce the tension in your muscles that may be making your neck stiff. It can also improve blood flow to your neck, which can also relieve tension.
Muscle and ligament issues
Muscle or ligament conditions that cause neck stiffness can include: Neck sprains. Sleeping in an unusual or uncomfortable position. Looking at screens for too long (especially tilting your head down to look at a phone, computer or tablet).
The rule of thumb is that you should start a more thorough medical investigation only when all three of these conditions are met, three general red flags for neck pain: it's been bothering you for more than about 6 weeks. it's severe and/or not improving, or actually getting worse.
When we experience long term stress, our bodies can hold tension in our neck and shoulder muscles, which can lead to pain. Neck pain is a common symptom caused by persistent stress. The more stressed we are, the more tense our muscles become, causing more pain and discomfort. You may also develop tension headaches.
Another area of endangerment is the posterior triangle of the neck, also known as the back of the neck or the nape of the neck. This area is where the cervical vertebrae are. Massage therapists should also avoid putting pressure on the suprasternal notch, or the top part of the sternum.
Avoid the following spots of vulnerability: Front of the neck/throat: You've heard of the expression, “Go for the jugular,” right? Well, this spot is where you find it. Steer clear of this area that also contains the carotid artery and major nerves.
Even though many people sleep with two, three or even four bed pillows, the recommended number is just one. A single pillow is all you need to support your head throughout a night's rest. The whole purpose of a pillow is to keep your neck aligned with your spine.
Sleeping without a pillow can help some people who sleep on their stomach, but it is not a good idea for everyone. People who sleep on their side or back will usually find that sleeping without a pillow puts pressure on their neck. By doing this, it can ruin a person's quality of sleep and lead to neck and back pain.
Situating a pillow between your lower half helps keep the knees aligned on top of one another, which in turn keeps your hip and pelvic area aligned. It can also reduce stress on the hips: A firm pillow between the knees can prevent the upper leg from pulling the spine out of alignment.
Sleeping on your back may be one of the best positions for improving your sleeping posture. It promotes better alignment and reduces the pressure on your arms and legs. People with neck or back pain, especially in the lower back, find it to be the most comfortable.
The bottom line: Sleeping with multiple pillows may seem like a supportive choice, but it could be disrupting your spine's natural alignment. For this reason, sleeping with one thicker pillow is generally the preferred option.
The Overall Best: On your back. Sleeping on your back evenly distributes weight throughout your body and avoids unnatural or unnecessary curves in the spine. Use a small pillow underneath the head and neck (not shoulders) to keep everything in alignment.