What is a pillow?
A pillow can be described as a large cushion-like structure that one puts under one’s head when one is in bed. It is used for neck support.
But the variations in use of pillows cause postural problems.
- If you use high pillows, as shown in the image, it causes your cervical spine to be under constant tension, and the muscles become tight, thereby causing improper posture and issues of spine compression like cervical PIVD (prolapsed intervertebral disc), tingling, numbness, or pain radiating to both arms and hands.
- If you use a very flat pillow or no pillow at all, as shown in the image, the cervical muscles are under constant tension, thereby lengthening and causing weakness, leading to improper posture again and headaches, dizziness, and flattening/loss of normal cervical spine curvature.
The image shown below has the proper alignment of pillow usage and proper posture correction.
Q. Whether to use a pillow or not and what to do?
One must really use a pillow to support the anatomic posture of the cervical spine (neck). Be careful because the pillow must not be too hard and high or too soft and flat. If you are not comfortable, you can use a towel roll exactly below the neck to support the neck, as shown in the image.
Q. Why is it important to support the neck?
It is very important to support your neck with a pillow or towel roll because it maintains the original and proper alignment of the cervical spine and keeps your neck muscles relaxed. It helps you to get a proper sleep, and one can breathe easily and properly. It keeps all your neck-related dysfunctions at bay.
Hence, you must really consider this small ergonomic change. What do you think of this small yet impactful change?
MBH/PS