Which Pillow Should You Buy? 5 Tips For More Supportive Sleep

June 15, 2017

‘Hi Dr. Doman, I’m looking for an orthopedic pillow or something. I’m sleeping terribly and find that my normal pillows are so uncomfortable. I can’t find a good position to sleep. Any pointers? I have no idea where to start. Thanks!’ – Michael R

If you are someone who thinks that their pillow is the cause of their neck pain and poor sleep and would like to learn how to choose the right one, this blog post is for you!

Hi Ray! Sorry to hear about your pillow issues. Very common!

So here is the secret that the pillow companies aren’t telling you:

While a comfortable and supportive pillow IS important, your posture and the position of your neck during the day determines how well that pricey pillow will work at night.

There are 24 hours in a day to make your neck comfortable.

I like to call it: let’s focus on the health and comfort of your neck while you’re actually awake. Then we can move to when you’re sleeping.

Here are your 5 Tips!

1) Type and text with normal spine alignment during the day to remove pressure from your neck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y-YvFos3OI

2) Get your alignment checked by a chiropractor. The chiropractic adjustment (cracking and non-cracking!) decompresses spinal joints, improves movement, and restores balance to the body from the inside out. Find a referral from a friend or family member.

3) Buy a pillow that allows you to main the ear over shoulder over hip alignment when you are laying down on your back and on your side. No crooked plumb lines while you are sleeping. Click here for video of proper pillow alignment.

4) Kiss a few frog (pillows). Go to a store like Relax the Back and try a few pillows for 2 weeks at a time KNOWING that you may need to return it if it doesn’t suit your sleeping support needs.

5) Consider a hypoallergenic dust cover as well if you’re very allergy sensitive like me… tossing and turning can affect your comfort level at night.

Thank you for your question, Robert! Hope this helps.

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