Have you experienced waking up with neck pain? It's safe to say it's a premonition for a challenging day. People may not realize it immediately, but neck pain can ruin your day because you cannot just go about it like it's a typical day. If you ask a chiropractor for neck pain in Fremont, simple neck pain can affect many mundane tasks.
But have you ever wondered what's causing your neck pain? Many people occasionally experience neck pain or stiffness. Some known causes are poor posture, overuse, sleeping in an awkward position, injury from a fall, sports-related injury, and whiplash.
If you're experiencing chronic neck pain, which is present when you wake up in the morning, perhaps your type of pillow and mattress are the culprit. These essential items should provide good support for your neck and back when sleeping, and when you wake up with neck pain, perhaps you're not using the right one.
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If you haven't heard of it, yes, the pillow you use when sleeping matters. There's a reason why there are different sizes and shapes in the market today. Not all pillows are created equal, literally! This is because the height of your pillow should match your preferred sleeping position. If you get a chance to talk to your chiropractor for neck pain in Fremont, ask for a recommendation for the best pillow to use.
Pillows are not a one size fits all item. No single pillow is compatible with everyone. You should consider the height that gives the best support to the natural curve of your neck to ease the stress from it when you're lying down.
Back sleeper
If you're a back sleeper, you will need a thin pillow. To know when it's the right pillow for you, the curve of your neck should look similar when lying down and standing with a good posture. You can test a pillow by lying down on it and having someone take a picture of the curve of your neck from the side.
Side Sleeper
If you're a side sleeper, a thicker pillow is what you need. This is to maintain your neck and head position in the middle of the shoulders. It would help if you also considered the correct thickness, as it should depend on the height and width of your shoulders. If you're in the more petite frame, a slimmer pillow is right for you, and for broad-shouldered frames, you should choose the thicker pillow.
Stomach Sleeper
For stomach sleepers, an ultra-slim pillow may be your best option. Better yet, don't use a pillow at all. It's essential to be aware that you tend to stress your neck a lot more when you sleep on your stomach. This is because your neck tilts on one side for a long time. So, if possible, do not sleep in this position and start training yourself to choose either sleeping on your side or back to avoid neck pains in the morning.
Feather Pillows
Pillows are made from different materials as well. It's nice to use feather pillows as they easily conform to the shape of your neck. The downside is they collapse and deteriorate over time, so you will need to replace them often. When these pillows collapse, they can no longer provide the same level of support.
Memory Foam Pillows
This type of pillow has gained popularity over the years. Memory foam also conforms to your head and neck shape and has a longer life than a feather pillow. In addition, they tend to be denser. Therefore, they can prevent the growth of molds, fungus, and dust mites and are naturally hypoallergenic.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
By ensuring your mattress provides the proper support like your pillow, your sleep quality will improve, and you will likely not wake up with any pain and discomfort. After all, sleep should bring you relaxation and not pain and discomfort.
To extend the shelf life of your mattress, it is recommended to flip or rotate them regularly. This will help keep your mattress' shape even and provide equal support in the following years. For the mattresses with a designated top and bottom, mostly those with a built-in memory foam topper, you simply rotate the top and bottom side rather than flip.
However, if you're still waking up with neck pain and discomfort despite improving your sleeping situation, it's time to book an appointment with your chiropractor for neck pain in Fremont. The issue could be beyond the pillow and mattress you use but a misalignment in your upper cervical spine.
Your neck can move in different directions and is highly vulnerable to trauma and injury. Your upper cervical spine, which is the part of your neck that connects to your head, is the most susceptible to movement. It's made up of your atlas (C1) and axis (C2) bones that carry most of your head's weight and protect your brainstem.
When these bones misalign, the rest of your spine compensates to keep your head balanced, mainly stressing the C1 and C2 bones. Over time, your muscles, joints, discs, ligaments, and other tissues will experience stress and pressure, eventually triggering painful and uncomfortable symptoms, including neck pain.
Correcting the alignment of your bones requires a specialized technique called upper cervical chiropractic care. Only certified upper cervical chiropractic doctors can manipulate and bring the bones back to their correct alignment through a gentle, safe, and non-invasive approach.
When you schedule a visit to a chiropractor for neck pain in Fremont, you won't get adjusted right away. Instead, a thorough analysis is done as the first step. This is to ensure that the correction matches your exact misalignment's needs.
It's time to schedule a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor as soon as you find yourself suffering from chronic neck issues that can impact your sleep and quality. This can be your first step towards feeling better.
If you're ready to get rid of neck pain and its accompanying symptoms, call 510-319-3119 or contact us by filling out this online form. Dr. Steven Forest and the rest of Forest Upper Cervical Chiropractic Centers are passionate about caring for patients, so you're sure to be in good hands under our care.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Forest, call our Fremont office at 510-319-3119. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
