If you sit behind the computer most of the day, chances are that you have an ergonomic chair that helps you remain pain-free. Chances are that you try to be as comfortable as possible after work as well, whether you are reading or watching television.
Why is it that we spend so little time on making sure that our sleep environment is right for our bodies? For example, not having the right pillow to match our neck could lead to hours of physical stress and discomfort throughout the night. If you consider we spend between six and eight hours in bed each day, why are so few people concerned that we have personalized and supportive ergonomics in the bedroom?
You would not keep your head in an uncomfortable position for six hours on end if you are awake, so why do people treat pain in their neck and lower back as inevitable or as a sign that they ‘must have slept wrong’. Fortunately, pillow fittings are able to help us reduce some of the stress and ensure that our neck is properly supported.
No one ‘correct way’ of sleeping
Keep in mind that people can sleep in a wide variety positions. It should come as no surprise that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to finding the right pillow. You sleep different from your neighbour, friends, and family members.
If you have a pillow that is wrong for the contours in your neck or that does not have the right amount of support, you may experience neck soreness that is going to bother you throughout the day. Using the right pillow, and using it correctly, can result in you having to endure less neck and upper back pain and enjoy better sleep.
With each position that you take when you sleep, both the type and placement of the pillow that you use may need to be different. If you have pre-existing neck problems, you may want to try different sleep positions and different types of pillows to improve your sleep quality.
The different types of sleeping
Most people fall asleep on their back. In that situation, you need a pillow that can help take the pressure off your lower neck. Remember that a pillow for your neck should not be ‘propping’ you up, it should support the natural curve of your neck. A properly fitted pillow does not force your body in an unnatural way, it simply supports a comfortable position.
There are a number of people who will sleep on their side until they actually fall asleep. This is the best position for the spine, but still requires some special attention. Keep in mind that using overly soft pillows (or using two pillows if you have very flat pillows) can tilt the neck up and down in an unnatural position.
Sleeping that way places a great deal of stress on the neck and stretches and jams the neck joints for a prolonged period of time. This may lead to headaches and a stiff neck that makes you wonder what you did the night before.
The importance of sleep
Keep in mind that sleep is one of the most important functions of the body. Sleep also takes up about anywhere between 25 and 33 percent of our lives. We are able to recover from the day’s activities thanks to sleep. Sleep can help our nervous system, our mind, and our body.
Most people have become so accustomed to getting poor sleep that they actively ignore the dangers of sleeplessness. Some of the issues include a difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, and a lack of energy. In fact, it may even have immediate physical symptoms, including poor overall health and weight gain.
Considering the importance of sleep, it is time to take the ‘guesswork’ out of sleeping. Get a professional to fit you with a pillow to match your sleep position and body type. This ensures that you have both the comfort and quality that you would expect from a good pillow while enjoying optimal neck and back support.
Getting the right pillow
Rather than opting for the largest pillow on the market or opting for a pillow that fits in with the bedspread, it is important that you look at your favourite sleeping position and own body size before deciding the type of pillow you need. Neither the brand nor the price of a pillow is going to guarantee the comfort of the pillow. Having a professional fit you with the right pillow is the only way to make sure that you are supported. If you feel that your pillow is too small, too big, too hard, or too soft, or you wake up feeling as though you were tortured, it is time to make a change.
It is time to stop worrying
If you want to find out what a difference a fitted pillow makes in the overall comfort and quality of your sleep, make an appointment with Total Back Care today. Call 8357 8211 now to set up an appointment and learn how you can benefit from having a fitted pillow.
