When you see a chiropractor about your painful neck, you probably expect to just come away with a treatment plan to make your neck better. However, chiropractors often take a more holistic approach. Chiropractors aren't just interested in just treating pain symptoms but want to work out what caused them in the first place. This approach gives you a better chance of fixing your neck and keeping it in good nick in the future.

For example, during your assessment, you may be asked questions about how you sleep. After examining your neck and gathering other information, your chiropractor may recommend you change pillows. Why is your chiropractor interested in your pillows and what difference will changing them make?

Pillows and Neck Pain

Your neck should be supported in its natural curved position when you sleep. A good pillow holds your neck in the right position; a bad pillow doesn't. For example, if you sleep with a big pillow or even two medium ones, your neck is pushed up. If your pillow is too flat, your neck sinks down. Both of these positions can make your neck hurt or feel stiff.

In some cases, the wrong kind of pillow is the primary cause of neck pain. Sometimes, it just makes existing pain worse. At the very least, it doesn't help your neck recover as quickly as it might during your treatment and may also be a factor in your pain coming back in the future. This is why your chiropractor is interested in your pillows. When they assess your neck, they want to know if your pillows are part of the problem or are delaying your recovery.

Pillows and Neck Support

If your pillows are a problem, your chiropractor will talk to you about switching to different ones. This may be as simple as changing to a bigger or smaller pillow that lets your neck rest in its natural position rather than pushing it up or down. Alternatively, your chiropractor may talk to you about using a support pillow. These pillows are contoured to hold and support your neck's curve while allowing your head to rest in a comfortable position.

Different pillows can help different neck problems, and your sleeping position may also impact on the kind of supportive pillow you need. To find the best option for your neck, ask your chiropractor for recommendations on pillow types, sizes and materials.

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