Neck Problem While Sleeping

August 8, 2005 at 05:28 AM · I am wondering if anyone has had experience with a bed pillow for support of the neck while sleeping. Several years ago, I injured my left shoulder through a combination of over-playing and bad technique. I have since done a great amount of Alexander Technique and physical therapy and have learned to play in a way that does not injure me.

However, I am still having problems sleeping. I move around a fair amount in my sleep (from one side to my back to my other side, etc.). I am finding that I occasionally wake up with pain in my left neck/shoulder which I think is caused by sleeping on my left side. Since I'm not in much control of my sleeping position while unconscious ;), I was wondering if anyone had advice that could help. I recently overheard a couple of violinists talking about a special pillow that supported the neck while sleeping but do not know exactly what kind of pillow they were talking about and have no way of reaching them.

Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Replies (2)

Ron Gorthuis

August 8, 2005 at 07:25 AM · If you sleep on your side....

Your bed and pillow should be firm (some people in NA would say firm means hard). The pillow should be no higher than the width of your fist (put fist upright on table, with pinkie down and thumb on top).

If you sleep on your back....

Keep the firm bed. You need a special pillow to keep you head from turning to either side, but that does not raise your head. Chiropractors sometimes sell this pillow.

Best mattress is a solid slab of high density foam, 6 inches thick.

Best pillow is something called synthetic wool. Its a nylon/poly material that is twilled like a yarn, then cut into small pieces, then stuffed with some pressure into a pillow case. The stuff is great.

This from someone who once had a severe neck injury, and many years of rehab.

cheers.

Juergen L. Hemm

August 11, 2005 at 08:50 AM · Hi,

I've heard that people suggest to sew a tennis ball into a pocket on the back of ones pyjamas to prevent snoring that occurs mostly while sleeping on one's back.

Maybe you could try that for your left side.

Don't do it if you sleep in your birthday suit ;-)

Bye, Juergen

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