Have a patient with acute to chronic neck pain? Inquire about their sleep positions!

Many patients who have acute to chronic neck pain are simply just sleeping in the wrong positions!

These types of patients will typically sleep on their abdomens with their head turned to the side on pillows that lack support. I have seen this countless times.

You need to instruct these patients to either sleep on their backs or on their sides with a firm pillow that keeps their heads in alignment to their spine. A $40 cervical pillow that can be ordered off Amazon will help significantly for many of these patients.

There are too many patients who are simply given medications for their chronic neck pain when in fact it is poor sleep posture. Fix the underlying issue, and you fix the problem!