I've recently been having moderate pain and tightness along the right side of my neck going down my shoulder, and after reading some posts on here, realized my sleeping posture could certainly be contributing to it. From what I understand, sleeping face up, with your neck straight, is the best way to not aggravate the neck and thus allow it heal from the subtle neck injuries us with concussions tend to have. The problem is that whenever I try this, I simply cannot fall asleep. My habitual sleeping position is probably the worst one of all; on my stomach with my face slanted to one side or another. My neck is almost certainly suffering as a result of this.

So basically my question is to those who have either corrected their sleeping posture, or know how to, what I should do to try to get myself to be able to fall asleep in the correct position? Usually I will lay face up trying to fall asleep for 30 minutes to an hour before becoming frustrated to the point that I give in and go back to my normal posture. So any tips to help me out?

[Bud]

Couple of questions:

1. Are you certain your neck is suffering as a result of your default sleep position or are you assuming?

2. Do you sleep well on your stomach?

I guess what I am saying is make certain you need to change before you upset the apple cart.

I was a stomach sleeper and had to change...the back side of my head was what was left unbroken, so it can be done, I had to get a softer pillow that would fit in the hollow of my neck and go around the sides of my head to sort of support it.

Bud

[Mark in Idaho]

There is no certain way to tell if sleeping position is causing neck issue to not heal. The only way to see is to try sleeping in a good posture for an extended period and see if things improve.

The way I knew right way was the improvement in my sleep and days after sleeping on my back or even spending the night sleeping in my recliner.

When I had to learn the first time, I was messing up my wrists so I had to wear wrist splits to bed. It is very difficult to sleep with splits unless you are on your back with hands at your side or on your chest.

Adjustable beds make sleeping on your back much easier. Or, using a bed wedge to lift your shoulders and putting a pillow under your knees.

It also helps to not go to bed until you are sleepy. You should be sleepy enough to fall asleep within 5 to 10 minutes. Being to active the hour before a target bed time can make it difficult to fall asleep.

It takes a lot of experimenting to find the system that works. The right mattress, pillow, pajamas or sheets can all make a difference. The goal is to find the combination where you do not have any different levels of sensations. No cold feet, pressure points, itchy fabric, etc. Everything should feel soothing so that your mind does not try to focus on any specific sensation.

It's a challenge but well worth it.

[SuperElectric]

I too sleep on my stomach with my head to one side - we're a minority I have to have a very thin pillow, I flatten out a feather one to an inch wedge shape, can't stand those foam ones. Sometimes the pillow gets pushed onto the floor and I sleep flat lol. I also sleep on a futon so my whole body is supported, I don't like beds with springs as it feels like resistance.

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

There is no certain way to tell if sleeping position is causing neck issue to not heal. The only way to see is to try sleeping in a good posture for an extended period and see if things improve.

The way I knew right way was the improvement in my sleep and days after sleeping on my back or even spending the night sleeping in my recliner.

When I had to learn the first time, I was messing up my wrists so I had to wear wrist splits to bed. It is very difficult to sleep with splits unless you are on your back with hands at your side or on your chest.

Adjustable beds make sleeping on your back much easier. Or, using a bed wedge to lift your shoulders and putting a pillow under your knees.

It also helps to not go to bed until you are sleepy. You should be sleepy enough to fall asleep within 5 to 10 minutes. Being to active the hour before a target bed time can make it difficult to fall asleep.

It takes a lot of experimenting to find the system that works. The right mattress, pillow, pajamas or sheets can all make a difference. The goal is to find the combination where you do not have any different levels of sensations. No cold feet, pressure points, itchy fabric, etc. Everything should feel soothing so that your mind does not try to focus on any specific sensation.

It's a challenge but well worth it.