Simple Ways to Reduce Neck Pain

Posted on December 25, 2014December 25, 2014 by Joey Donovan-Guido

Have you ever seen someone use a bow and arrow? There’s a tremendous amount of tensile pressure involved in pulling back the bowstring before the arrow is released. In order for the arrow to hit its mark accurately, the bowstring has to be incredibly tight.

Those of us with chronic neck pain can identify with this, because that’s often what a tense neck feels like — pressure, pain, tightness.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of strategies to reduce neck pain and help loosen up a tense neck.

Get a Massage
In addition to helping relieve stress, a good massage is an excellent way to reduce neck pain and improve mobility. Make sure you go to an experienced professional. They’ll cost more, but the benefits you receive will be worth it. There are times that neck pain is caused by muscle issues in different parts of your body, including the back. Neck pain can also be caused by the tightening of your body’s fascia, which is a thin layer of tissue that runs throughout your entire body, covering your muscles and organs.

Stretch or Practice Yoga
Another way to combat tight muscles and tight fascia is to stretch or practice yoga regularly. To follow are some simple stretches and exercises you can perform during the day …

The TV Stretch
Retract your shoulder blades by sitting on the edge of your chair. Next, lengthen your spine, extending it as if you were growing taller. Put your hands on your lap and gently move your shoulders back, “pinching” your shoulder blades together. Hold for about 30 seconds, and remember not to overdo it. Repeat at least one more time.

Mimic a Turtle
If you’ve been sitting at your computer or driving for more than 45 minutes, this is an excellent strategy to help reduce neck pain. When in either of these seated positions for too long, most people tend to project their heads forward toward the computer screen or windshield. When a person does this, it puts stress on the back of the neck (remember your brain and skull are about ten pounds). In addition to neck pain, this can also cause headaches, which of course cause neck pain, too.

The turtle technique strengthens your neck and back muscles, and helps you form a new sitting habit with better posture. When typing or driving, think of yourself as a turtle “retracting” your head into your shell. Keep a level chin, move your head back and flatten the curve in the back of your neck. Hold this position for about 5 seconds, and repeat 10 times. When retracting your neck, do not retract down into your shoulders, as that will compress your neck. Instead keep your shoulders relaxed and remember not to force anything when performing the turtle technique.

Neck Roll
Although you can’t make a sandwich on it, you’ll enjoy the neck roll just the same. Simply, and gently, drop your chin to your chest, and slowly roll your neck to the left, to the back, and then to the right and back down in a smooth motion. Repeat in the opposite direction. Remember to keep your body straight when doing this, and not to lean into the neck roll with your shoulders or upper torso. Continue rolling one way and then the other until your neck feels more loose.

Use a Supportive Pillow
Most people have grown accustomed to sleeping on foam pillows, or even down feather pillows that offer no support. Using a pillow like the Natural Comfort Pillow helps relax the muscles of the neck to reduce tension, which reduces neck pain. And with less neck pain comes better sleep. Our pillow helps keep your spine in alignment, too!

Although these strategies can help reduce neck pain, it’s always a good idea to speak with a medical professional before embarking on any type of new exercise regimen, or if you’re experiencing chronic neck pain.

Learn more about how our pillow can help with neck pain and help you sleep better.

Thank you for visiting Natural Comfort Pillow!

Decreasing Migraines by Improving Neck & Shoulder Health

Posted on November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 by Joey Donovan-Guido

In a recent article, we talked about reducing migraines through diet. This week, we’re going to focus on simple ways to reduce neck and shoulder pain, which often leads to decreased migraines — not to mention a better quality of life. But first, let’s take a quick look at some common causes of neck and shoulder pain …

Common Causes of Neck & Shoulder Pain

Stress or tension, which causes compression of spinal nerves (known as a “pinched nerve”)
Arthritis
A herniated disk
Muscle strain caused by overuse (sports- or labor-related)
Any kind trauma injury
Shoulder instability (joint slippage in and out of sockets)
Poor posture when sitting or standing
Spinal misalignment when sleeping (caused by use of a non-supportive pillow)

Reducing Neck & Shoulder Pain
One of the easiest ways realize better neck and shoulder health is by using a supportive pillow. In addition to reducing pain, a supportive pillow can also help you sleep better. This combination of proper support, which aligns the spine, and better sleep is a highly effective way to reduce migraine occurrences.

How Our Pillow Helps

For Back-lying Sleepers: A multi-bolster system, created by leading Australian physiotherapists, cradles the neck for proper spine alignment
For Side-lying Sleepers: The non-bolster side of our pillow supports your shoulder while maintaining spinal alignment
With proper spine alignment, your muscles are in a position where they can relax, instead of being tensed up, which helps decrease the occurrence of pain and migraines
Migraines are often triggered by a poor night’s sleep; using a pillow that reduces pain can go a long way in helping you sleep better

Additional Ways to Reduce Neck & Shoulder Pain
Speaking with your doctor is always a good idea when addressing chronic neck or shoulder pain. Seeing a licensed massage therapist, physical therapist, or a chiropractor are also smart strategies. When choosing one of these specialized health professionals, look for experience and a proven track record, as opposed to who’s offering the best price. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Stretching and exercise are also two options that help reduce neck and shoulder pain. But if you’re in pain, it may be difficult to stretch or exercise without causing more pain. Again, forming a plan with a health professional can assist in helping you feel better, while avoiding further injury or pain.

Aerobic conditioning is often an excellent way to help the neck and shoulders loosen up, reduce pain and increase range of motion. This occurs because aerobic activity increases blood flow to the muscles and soft tissues of the neck and upper back (your whole body, actually). It also helps release endorphins (after approximately 30 minutes of aerobic activity), which naturally reduce pain in the body.

We hope these strategies help reduce pain and improve the quality of your life!

Learn more about how our pillow can help with neck pain and shoulder pain.

What Does Formula One Racing Have in Common with Your Pillow?

Posted on October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 by Joey Donovan-Guido

You may be wondering, what could Formula One Racing possibly have in common with your pillow? The answer to this question depends on what type of pillow you use. If you’re using a typical, department store pillow, probably nothing. But if you’re using a therapeutic pillow, the connection between one of the fastest moving sports in the world and the restful slumber of sleep becomes clear — it’s all about support.

Let’s examine the similarities between some of the gear used in Formula One racing, specifically the driver’s seat and the Head and Neck Support (HANS) system, and the Natural Comfort Pillow.

Formula One Gear that Supports the Head, Neck & Spine

Did you know that those little tiny cockpits in Formula One racecars contain a custom-made seat? At their core, they’re made of a single piece of plastic for the strongest possible support. The next step is adding a custom-made seat cover that’s crafted to fit the exact shape of each driver — it actually molds perfectly around their bodies! This offers stability when driving, as well as support for the entire back.

While the spine is supported by the custom seat, the neck and head are supported and protected by the HANS system. This system includes a carbon fiber shoulder collar that sits under a driver’s safety belts, and is securely connected to his or her helmet with elastic straps. If impact occurs, the straps reduce head movement preventing vertebrae from stretching, and the collar absorbs and redistributes force away from the driver’s skull and neck muscles.

How Our Pillow Supports Your Head Neck & Spine

While the products mentioned above support a person when they’re driving fast, our pillow helps get you up to speed for your day. Speaking of driving, did you know you can use our pillow in the car? Just sit it vertically on our backrest, and the pillow will mould to your back — supporting it much like a custom Formula One seat!

As far as sleeping is concerned, consistently using a supportive pillow like the Natural Comfort Pillow can help with a variety of issues including:

Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Osteoarthritis
Insomnia
Sleep apnea
Snoring
TMJ
Migranes

Support for Back- and Side-sleepers

Here’s a quick overview on how our pillow works for both back- and side-sleepers. Feel free to visit our How this Pillow Helps page for more info.

We understand that when you’re sleeping, you’re not risking your life like a Formula One driver does during a race. The question is, by sleeping on an inferior pillow, how are you affecting your life negatively by not addressing issues lie insomnia or neck pain?

We created the Natural Comfort Pillow because we want to help people lead happier healthier lives. We also want you to be as successful as possible. Being well rested, and reducing pain can make a big difference in the amount of success each of us enjoys.

Since our pillow has an unconditional money-back guarantee, there’s no risk involved in giving it a try. All we ask is that you use the Natural Comfort Pillow for at least 30 days to see how it can improve your quality of life.

Thank you for visiting Natural Comfort Pillow!

Is Your Pillow Causing or Relieving Neck Pain?

Posted on September 23, 2014September 23, 2014 by Joey Donovan-Guido

Not all pillows are created equal. As a matter of fact, some can actually aggravate neck pain, cause headaches, insomnia — and even misalign vertebrae. The good news is that a well-made, supportive pillow has a wealth of health benefits. Let’s examine what goes into the making of a well-made pillow, and what types of benefits it can offer — including proper support of the head and neck, as well as relaxing neck muscles and de-stressing joints.

A well-made, supportive pillow should:

Support the head and neck — in both back- and side-sleeping positions
Relax the muscles of the neck, lessening stress on joints
Mold to your neck and head, with no recoil or spring back
Never stress the joints of the neck
Be comfortable, yet supportive
Be breathable

Benefits of a supportive pillow include:

Relief from neck pain or stiffness, neck injuries, headaches, insomnia and shoulder pain
Improved performance for athletes
Helping vertebrae remain aligned
Improved airflow and blood flow, while reducing breathing obstruction in the throat
A better night’s sleep

Hallmarks of a quality pillow:

A blend of natural down and feathers
100% cotton casing
Bounces and fluffs into shape
Easily conforms to the size and shape of your head and neck (unlike molded foams and rubber)
Feathers and down also “breathe”
Absorbs body moisture

A non-supportive pillow isn’t only less comfortable, it can also have the opposite affect of a supportive pillow. In fact, a non-supportive pillow can exacerbate headaches, neck pain, or any of the conditions we’ve mentioned in this article. Learn More About How Our Pillow Can Help Visit the Natural Comfort Pillow homepage for specific information pertaining to neck pain, shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, TMJ and migraines. Try our pillow at no risk … When you try our pillow, we want to make sure you’re completely satisfied with your purchase. That’s why we offer a no-risk, 60-day money back guarantee that allows you to return the pillow for any reason. All we ask is that you use your pillow for at least 30 days to allow the feathers and down to mould to your unique neck and head shape — and for you to get accustomed to the special support the Natural Comfort Pillow offers. Thanks for visiting Natural Comfort Pillow!