We have found that many of our new patients who suffer from neck and back pain need to think about their pillows. Did you know, on average, there are 12 major body shifts and 50 movements in head and neck position during sleep?
We have found that many of our new patients who suffer from neck and back pain need to think about their pillows. Did you know, on average, there are 12 major body shifts and 50 movements in head and neck position during sleep? During sleep the body is supposed to rest, recover, recuperate and prepare for the next day. For many people, that never happens. They awaken tired, irritated, on edge and in worse shape than the day before! Often, a restless night of sleep is the result of an unsupportive pillow.
In 2004, a Roper poll showed that 70 percent of American adults say a comfortable pillow is “very important” to a good night’s sleep. But most Americans are probably sleeping on a pillow that is old, needs to be washed and therefore is not nearly as clean and comfortable as it could be. In fact, the poll reveals that the average American’s pillow is more than two years old and is washed less than once a month. People age 65 and over are likely to have the oldest pillows, at nearly three years old. Nearly one in three Americans (30 percent) do not replace their pillows sooner than every three years. Women (73 percent) and people age 35 to 49 (82 percent) rated pillow comfort very important, but were also the groups most likely to wait more than a month to wash their pillow. Are you someone who falls into these categories? Is it time for a new pillow or at least a pillow wash?
If you like your pillows and are not in need of new ones, they still need to be cleaned regularly—at least every six months. That’s because a pillow that has not been cleaned recently contains high amounts of sloughed skin, mold and mildew, fungus, dust mites and dust feces— despite using pillow cases and liners or savers. Nobody wants to sleep on that!
If you do suffer from neck pain and think you may need new pillows, what should you look for when purchasing? You need consistent support for your neck. Our most highly recommended pillow of choice is the Chiroflow® Water Pillow. This is a highly reviewed and researched option that provides constant support to maintain correct head and neck support during sleep, even as you roll from your back to your side. The Chiroflow® Water Pillow is the only cervical pillow with peer-reviewed and published clinical proof of effectiveness (research was conducted at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine). Leading magazines Vogue, Popular Science, Medical Post, Modern Medicine and many others have published articles about the effects of the Chiroflow® Water Pillow. TPW
