The Crocodile Cage

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Neck pain is a common ailment experienced as a result of “sleeping wrong”. Certain sleep positions can affect the muscles in the neck which can cause anywhere from mild to acute pain upon waking and for several hours afterward.

One of the worst sleep positions for neck pain is stomach sleeping. Most people who sleep on their stomachs do so because their shoulders hurt when they sleep on their sides. What happens with stomach sleeping is that the body is not in alignment with the head. The body lays flat on the mattress while the head is raised up on a pillow and turned ninety degrees to the right or left so that the sleeper can breathe freely. This position is unnatural for the neck and can strain muscles.

Another frequent cause of neck pain is sleeping without a pillow or with a pillow that is too thin. If the body is on its side and the pillow is thin or non-existent, the head tilts downward towards the mattress for support and the neck is unsupported altogether. The stretching of the neck sideways for extended periods of sleep time stresses the muscles and “locks them” in place upon waking.

Even sleeping on the back can cause neck pain as the back of the shoulders and the back of the head press on the mattress but the neck has no support. The pressure points created by this sleeping position put a strain on the neck that can keep it sore for hours or even days.

The solution to all of these causes of neck pain is a proper pillow. While most people put thought into the mattress they purchase, few consider the importance of the pillow, perhaps because it is not as large of an investment as a new mattress or perhaps because they do not understand the importance of the pillow for proper sleep.

A pillow is basically an extension of a mattress and supports the neck and head while the mattress supports the rest of the body. The goal of a pillow is to keep the neck aligned and keep the head at the same level as the body. This prevents stress and strain on the muscles of the neck and shoulders and allows for more comfortable sleep.

In order for the pillow to properly support the head and neck, it must be the right firmness. A hard pillow will not conform to the shape of the neck and a soft one won’t support anything. A memory foam pillow is the perfect solution to this dilemma.

Memory foam was originally designed by NASA scientists to support the astronauts’ bodies against the incredible force exerted at takeoff. Over time, memory foam became available as mattresses and pillows. A memory foam pillow perfectly supports all of the curves of the head and neck as the foam responds to body heat. The head will exert the most heat as it is pressing farthest into the foam, allowing the head to sink into it. That allows the foam to cradle the neck as well, providing perfect and customized support for each person.

A good night’s sleep is important for healthy living and the best way to get a good night’s sleep and not wake up in pain is to toss your old flimsy pillow and buy a quality memory foam pillow.