There’s nothing like having a nice and fluffy pillow to rest your head on after a hard day’s work. But unlike what most people say, not all pillows are the same. Some would barely provide a decent sleeping experience while others can reach levels of comfortability that can be difficult to believe. In other words, with the right pillow, sleeping can be therapeutic. One example of such is neck roll pillows, and it’s one of the hottest trends in the market recently.
What Is A Neck Roll Pillow And How Does It Work?
As you may know, your neck is part of your cervical spine. It consists of seven bones called vertebra, and these bones are stacked on each other. They create a curve-like shape called lordosis, and it’s a shape one must maintain at all times. Otherwise, the distribution of pressure on each of the seven bones can be disproportioned, leaving one or two bones to handle too much pressure than they can take.
Unfortunately, maintaining the lordotic curve is more difficult than you might think. For one, an average person’s daily routine consists of numerous tasks that can compromise the curve. Examples include:
- Sitting too long
- Laying down on a stiff mattress
- Sleeping on your belly
- Performing exercises incorrectly
- Carrying heavy loads
When a person’s lordotic curve has been out of shape for too long, issues may start emerging such as back pain, hip pain, or neck pain. While it may not be possible to maintain the proper curve at all times, a person can at least prevent these issues from occurring, and one way to do that is by taking an upright position when sleeping. That’s where a neck roll pillow comes in.
A Neck Roll Pillow, also known as a cervical roll, is a type of pillow designed to help consumers get the proper support they need for their necks. With this pillow, you can keep the neck in a favorable position, allowing you to align your spine correctly while sleeping.
Considering the benefits of a neck roll pillow, you’d assume getting one right now to replace your regular pillows would be the best course of action, but it’s not always the case. Neck roll pillows may be the best for maintaining a favorable position, but it’s not the most comfortable nor is it the most durable. So, when should you consider getting a neck roll pillow?
To answer that question, this article will go over a few questions you must ask yourself before you can figure out if it’s about time you get a neck roll pillow.
When’s The Last Time You Changed Pillows?
Experts recommend replacing your pillows every one to two years. This is to ensure your pillows don’t get too saggy because they no longer provide adequate support to your neck when that happens. It’s also so that your pillows are clean and free of allergens since, as you may already know, allergens like dust, fungus, mold, and pet dander can accumulate. This applies to all types of pillows, so how will you know if you need a neck roll pillow, in particular?
Does Your Neck Hurt Upon Waking Up?
As the name suggests, the primary purpose of a neck roll pillow is to ensure your neck is getting the support it needs while you sleep. If you’re waking up with a sore neck, that’d mean you’re unable to find a favorable position. If that’s the case, it’d be an excellent time to get yourself a cervical pillow to help you sleep comfortably.
It’s also worth noting that it doesn’t necessarily have to be your neck that’s in pain. For example, if your shoulders and arms are hurting, it might indicate that the nerves connecting the neck to your arms were constricted as a result of sleeping in an unfavorable position.
Do You Feel Pain In Your Knee, Hip, Or Feet?
Your spine affects many parts of your body, especially your feet, knees, and hips. So, if you feel pain in these places, the issue may have something to do with your lordotic curve. In order to prevent such problems from emerging, one thing you can do is keep a straight line starting from the head down to your feet.
While it may not be possible while you’re working during the day or doing the chores, it should be possible when you get into your sleeping position. But as you may have guessed, it won’t be easy. However, a neck roll pillow should be able to make it manageable. Take note that the pain persists hours after waking up, so it’s different from the previous case where you only feel the pain upon waking up.
Do You Keep Waking Up Tired?
Normally after waking up, you’ll feel revitalized and energized. If you’re experiencing the opposite effect, then you’re either suffering from an underlying sleep condition and habit or a spine issue. Examples of sleep conditions or habits that may result in this effect include:
- Sleep inertia
- Experiencing excessive nighttime urination
- Having caffeine before bed
- Drinking alcohol before bedtime
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, bruxism, and restless legs syndrome
Regardless of the cause, you should be able to fix or at least regulate the issue by getting a night of better sleep or taking a more favorable sleeping position to help with spine alignment. Since a neck roll pillow practically does both, checking the video below and getting one would be of great help, especially in this scenario.
Do You Often Find Yourself Slouching Too Much?
It’s easy to find yourself slouching too much when performing all sorts of things. Tasks such as using a computer, carrying a box, and driving for too long can lead to poor posture, which can lead to adverse effects on your overall health.
Unfortunately, slouching has been ingrained in the minds of many people that you’ll barely notice you’re slouching unless you stop doing what you’re doing. Furthermore, since there’s no golden standard for perfect posture, it can be challenging to determine if your posture is correct or not. Nevertheless, if you think you’re slouching way too often, it might be a sign you’re sleeping in a reclined position, which is quite detrimental to the lordotic curve.
Are Your Hands Or Feet Numb Upon Waking Up?
Numbness and tingling refer to the unusual prickling sensations that can happen to any part of your body. While these sensations aren’t typically associated with poor sleep, it’s one of the main symptoms your spine is misaligned, specifically when it happens on your feet, arms, legs, and hands. It often occurs when you stay in one place for a long time in an uncomfortable position, be it by sitting, standing, and most importantly, sleeping.
With that said, feeling these sensations would warrant the need to replace your current pillow with a neck roll pillow.
Do You Find Yourself Cracking Your Back Frequently?
Many people are proud of the fact they can easily crack their back without the help of anyone, much less a chiropractor. However, cracking or popping mainly occurs when your bones or joints have been stiff for a long time or if they’re out of position or alignment. Hence, they emit a sound with just a tiny movement.
In other words, if your back cracks without much effort, you need to work on your posture. One way to do that is by getting a neck roll pillow.
Are You Struggling To Turn Your Hips Or Head?
Whenever you sleep while in an improper position or posture, your neck and hips tend to get stiff. When that happens, you’ll find it difficult to turn your hips or head. And if you still insist on doing so, you’ll hear your neck or hips crack every time.
If you’ve been having this feeling for a while, it’s a sure sign you need to switch up your sleeping position, and what better way to do that than by getting a neck roll pillow.
Do You Suffer From Illness More Often?
This question may seem strange, but one of the signs you’re not getting enough sleep due to posture problems is when you get sick more often. This is mainly because the nervous system is partly responsible for the operations in your immune system. To be precise, the brain sends signals to all parts of your body through nerves, which means your nervous system is essential to making sure your immune system is in tip-top shape.
However, if your spine is out of alignment, the connection between your brain and your body’s countless nerves is blocked, leading to a poor immune response. If you think you’re catching a fever or flu more often than usual, you might need a neck roll pillow to get your spine back to the proper alignment.
Where Can You Get A Neck Roll Pillow?
Due to the rising prominence of neck roll pillows, countless merchants are looking to sell their versions of the product. For that reason, getting a neck roll pillow should be easier than you think. You’ll be surprised at how widely sold these products are.
Here’s a list of places where you can find neck roll pillows for sale:
- Digital marketplaces
- E-commerce websites
- Supermarkets
- Mattress stores
- Local pharmacy
- Airports
Take note, the price may vary depending on the place or the platform. For example, neck roll pillows from the internet would be the most expensive since wholesalers or retailers are the ones handling them. If you want the most affordable, your nearby mattress store should have the best deals. Either way, the price should be around USD$20, so it’s affordable most of the time.
How Should You Use Neck Roll Pillows?
Using a neck roll pillow is relatively easy. You simply place the roll inside your pillowcase. Make sure the roll covers the entire length of the pillowcase, so it provides the optimal support to your neck. Now, place the pillow on the bed. It should be placed where your neck is directly touching the pillow when you lay on the bed.
The positioning of the pillow would differ according to your sleeping position. Here’s a guide on how this works:
- If you sleep while lying on your back, place the pillow so it directly makes contact with the back of your neck whenever you lay down your head.
- If you sleep while lying on your sides, place the pillow so it fills in the area or gap between your shoulders and your chin when you lay down your head.
- If you sleep while lying on your belly, you should switch to any of the two previous positions since your current position is highly detrimental to the lordotic curve.
Experts suggest sleeping while lying on your back to ensure your spine is aligned correctly at all times. On the other hand, lying on your belly often results in posture or spine problems.
What’s Your Alternative?
The primary purpose of a neck roll pillow is to help relieve neck pain by providing the support it needs while you sleep or rest. However, it’s worth noting that other methods can do the same. If you’re not exactly fond of getting a neck roll pillow or if you can’t push yourself to replace your current pillow, you can use these methods instead. Alternative options include:
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Prescription medication
- Exercise
Numerous studies have shown these treatment options can be particularly useful for treating neck or back pain. But be warned—performing exercises or physical activities incorrectly may worsen the pain instead. Moreover, prescription medication would only serve as a temporary solution, so it’s still best to fix the issue by its roots.
Closing Thoughts
Although neck roll pillows certainly have numerous benefits, they can’t serve as a standalone treatment to resolve issues more severe than neck pain. It’s best used in conjunction with other treatment options like the ones mentioned above. Furthermore, you have to remember that apart from the design, the material used for the pillow also plays a vital role in its effectiveness. On that note, make sure you choose a neck roll pillow after considering the material.
