“How should I sleep with neck pain?”
I am a 33 year old female and I have neck pain. How should I sleep with neck pain?
10 Answers
You should seek medical/chiropractic care. Don't wait too long.
Identify the trigger of the neck pain either from trauma or from chronic neck strain.
Finding a supportive and comfortable pillow is a great place to start. "Comfortable" is subjective so you will need to experiment a little bit. I like fiber or memory foam pillows. In general, if you are a side sleeper, you will need a thicker pillow that if you are a back sleeper. Stomach sleeping can work for some, but often is not the best for those with neck or back pain.
In whatever position is most comfortable. That may seem like a silly answer, but it is the truth.
Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS
Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS
Not so much the position you sleep in that makes a difference but your pillow. I would look into getting a water pillow that you can fill to your comfort level. My office can’t keep them on the shelves. Everyone that works in my office has one. Several of my patients with neck pain no longer have issues with their neck.
You should never sleep on your stomach, with or without neck pain. In order to do so means your neck will be in an unnatural position for hours and can cause and/or exacerbate neck pain. If you sleep on your side, make sure your neck stays even with your spine by having your pillow bridge the gap from your shoulder to your ear. If you sleep on your back, make sure you have rolled support under your neck, allowing your head to fall back slightly, to reinforce the natural curve (lordosis) in the neck. These tips should help you get some rest while keeping your neck stable.
Dr. Jane Bye
Chiropractor
It is best to sleep either on your side or back when you have neck pain as it puts the least amount of stress on your neck. It often helps to have a pillow that has a core to support your normal cervical curve laying on your back and raised sides for sleeping on your side in order to keep your neck in a neutral position.
Sleeping on your stomach is the worst sleeping position for any back/neck pain. That being said you should sleep in the most comfortable position for your neck, if you are a back or side sleeper make sure your pillow is not to large/fluffy. You do not want you head in extension or flexion, it should be in a neutral position.
Most people sleep with their head cocked up on their side or back, that's bad. Or, they sleep with their head tilted down, lower than the rest of their spine, that's also bad for your neck. Sleep in a neutral position for your neck, meaning straight spine, middle of your ear lined up with the middle of your shoulder. I use a Therapeutica pillow when I sleep, to keep my spine in the best position.
I recommend going to a Chiropractor to address the neck pain. Whichever position is comfortable to sleep in, is the best position for the moment.
