Pillow Recommendation for a Reverse Curve in the Neck

Dear Arc4life,

I bought one of your Linear neck pillows a couple of years ago. I thought it helped some, but now I am waking every morning with neck stiffness and a headache. The headache is usually gone 30 min. after I get up, without any medication. I don't have a good cervical curve in my neck. I have tried both the softer side and firmer side of the pillow.

I went on your site and read about several of your pillows, the linear TRACTION pillow, the water pillow, etc. I hate to keep spending money trying to find a pillow that will help. Do you have any suggestions?
- Petunia

Dear Petunia, if you do not have a proper curve in the neck (it could mean you have a straight neck or a reverse curve in your neck), I would recommend some kind of a traction product (such as the cervical traction posture pump or the pronex traction unit) and also the Arc4life cervical traction neck pillow. The traction side of that pillow (V Side) will help you get the curve back in your neck at night.

I would highly recommend that you get adjusted by the chiropractor. They can also show you how to do traction properly at home. It is also a good idea to use a traction device in their office before buying one. Also neck stretches in the morning will be beneficial, as will using a hot pack on your neck and upper back area.

Also, keep in mind that doing traction and using a new pillow at night, can cause pain in the neck- including soreness and muscle spasms. This is normal- just like when you work out at the gym after a long time. Your neck muscles will not be used to using such a supportive pillow at night, so it is possible that you will have that. Having headaches is also normal after using a new pillow. Again, a chiropractor can also help you choose the right pillow for sleeping, and can also help you with headache pain relief.

Finally, if you are a petite person, I would recommend the small linear gravity pillow for you. If you prefer something a little firmer check out the petite core pillow. The traction pillow is a medium size pillow: 20" x 26". Due to the design of the pillow Arc4life cannot make it any smaller. You could also go with a softer pillow such as the cervical alignment pillow which has 5", 6" or 7" neck rolls.
Hope this helps.
-Nav at the Arc4life Blog

Additional Reading Resources

• Reversal of the Neck Curvature very Detrimental to your Health
  
• I was told I have cervical Kyphosis?
  
• How to choose the right neck pillow
  
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit
  

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief. Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

Why Didn’t my Doctor tell me my Neck has no Curve

At this point I’ve seen numerous patients who had neck s-rays requested by their MD. They were sent to the radiology center or the imaging floor of the hospital.

What typically takes place is the films are taken and a radiologist reads them. The doctor then looks at his report and makes his diagnosis. At the hospital they are mainly looking for major, life-threatening findings: fractures, cancer, etc … When spinal shifts are spotted they are often neglected or sometimes overlooked.

More and more nowadays radiologists and MD’s have learned the importance and significance of spinal misalignments. However, I still find that many patients are not being made aware of these findings and told everything looks ok.

Spinal misalignments are significant! Especially a complete loss of your neck curvature or a reversal of the curvature. However, chiropractor, physical therapist, or physiatrist can often even detect possible alignment issues through posture analysis, ranges of motion, or palpation.

Keep in mind that your MD doesn’t actually read your x-rays, he’s got many other things to do, and doesn’t have the time. The radiologist reads the x-rays and will send the report to your MD. So there often can be some subjectivity when the pictures are read as well as the report. Also, when I say your MD I’m referring to your primary care doctor. Radiologists are MD’s too, and if your doctor is a specialist; orthopedist, neurologist, or D.C. for example, they often read the images themselves as well.

In conclusion, take charge of your own health. Spinal shifts are not normal and you shouldn’t be told everything’s fine when there are significant abnormalities. An inadequate or abnormal neck curve is a big one, and shouldn’t be discounted anyway.

Happy New Year Everyone! Wishing everyone a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy 2010 ! - NJ

Additional Reading Resources:

• The Normal Cervical Curve in the Neck
  
  
• Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
  
  
• Which Neck Pillow is Right for My Needs?
  
  
• Dr. Bellingers’ Neck Pain Relief Kit
  
  
  
• Proven Neck Pain Cure that Works Wonders- without surgery or drugs
  
  
  
  Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.
  
  
  Bookmark this on Delicious
  
  Stumble It!