does sleeping without pillow help neck pain

However, some individuals use pillows that work against their spine’s natural curve, resulting in more curvature and misalignment.Īlso, if you’re a back sleeper, using plusher beds, such as memory foam models, often allows your body to settle in a comfortable and natural position, with your neck and head sitting higher than your midsection. Generally, pillows are designed to straighten the spine and help take pressure off the cervical section. Less Neck and Back Tensionīad sleep posture is one of the main reasons many people suffer from back and neck pain, and one of the primary causes of poor posture is the wrong pillow choice. So, if you’re a back sleeper, putting a very thin pillow beneath your head will provide the perfect level of elevation while you sleep. While back sleeping allows your spine to settle into a neutral position, putting less pressure on your neck, it leaves a small gap between the sleep surface and your neck. That’s why this sleep posture requires a thick pillow that can help you prevent tension in your shoulders and keep your head, neck, and spine aligned. Side sleepers generally leave the largest gap between their heads and pillows. That’s why many stomach sleepers prefer sleeping without a pillow.īack and side sleepers, on the other hand, need a pillow for proper support and spinal alignment. So, if you use a pillow, you risk positioning your neck at an even sharper and awkward angle thus, you may experience pain in your neck muscles.

And as a result, you end up putting a lot of stress on your neck. That said, your sleeping position will affect your posture differently, which is why ditching a pillow may be beneficial to certain sleep positions.įor instance, stomach sleeping forces you to turn your head to one side. You might also experience back and neck pain when you wake up. Poor posture at night dramatically interferes with your sleep quality and can even lead to pains and aches during the day. It may be quite tricky for you to give up sleeping with your pillow, but once you know of the benefits of going pillowless, you might want to rethink! Improves Your Posture Possible Benefits of Pillowless SleepingĪlthough research is limited, some anecdotal reports suggest that sleeping pillowless can be very beneficial for your sleep health. We’ll also share some key insights about transitioning to a flat sleep surface when the need arises and how you can choose the right pillow for your sleep setup. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about sleeping without a pillow, including its possible pros and cons to help you make a wise decision. So, the big question is, do pillows really help us sleep better and improve our àhealth, or will we be better off without them?

However, some sleep experts claim that not using a pillow does have its benefits, such as preventing wrinkles and even curing neck pain. They can also help you breathe more easily by elevating your head above your body. They’re designed to promote healthy spinal alignment, support the natural curvature of our necks, and prevent pain as we sleep. However, did you know that your pillow also has a role to play when it comes to having a quality sleep? Pillows aren’t just poofy mounds of unnecessary fluff that make our mattresses look cozy. If you spend more time on your stomach, though, it is suggested that you try a soft pillow.It’s not surprising that the perfect mattress can positively transform your sleep experience. If you fall into this category, use medium support pillows. It’s very rare for some people to wake up in a different position than the one they fell asleep in. Can I Sleep at One Position Throughout the Night? But if you can sleep without one, keeps your head level with the mattress surface and the rest of your spine. The fullness of the pillow can help prevent your neck from turning to an unnatural position while you’re sleeping. This can cushions both your head and neck. If you can only fall asleep on your belly, try a soft, plump pillow.

Sleeping in this position can prevent neck pain in the morning. When you sleep on your stomach, your back arches and your neck turned to the side. If you don’t have a pillow with built-in, rounded neck support, you can put a round pillow into the pillowcase with your flat pillow to provide support to both areas. Medium support can help contour the natural curve of your neck. For back sleepers to keep the neck level with rest of their spine, a thin, contouring pillow rises to the occasion.īack sleepers should choose a round pillow to cushion the neck and a flatter pillow for under the head. When a back sleeper lies down on an innerspring or firm mattress, small gaps naturally develop between the lower back and the mattress, as well as the between the neck and the mattress.

Does sleeping without pillow help neck pain