Nothing starts your day off better than getting a good night's sleep. And sleeping with the right pillow can help.

Pillows can not only impact the quality of our sleep, but also how healthfully we rest and recharge. But the wrong pillow may worsen headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm numbness, discomfort, sneezing, wheezing and snoring.

And if your pillow is past its prime, it may contain skin cells, mold, mildew, fungus, and dust mites, which make up more than half of an older pillow's weight.

Is it time to buy a new pillow? Experts say the general rule is to buy a pillow every 12 to 18 months. After two years, it's definitely got to go.

Choosing a pillow which supports the cervical spine is extremely important, especially for those with neck or upper back problems as well as those with a history of headaches. There are a number of cervical pillows on the market, however, many of the inexpensive pillows (those under $20) are poorly designed with rigid foam which does not conform to the natural contours of the head and neck. Look for a cervical pillow which will contour to the shape and size of your head and neck while still providing support. Don't be scared to spend a little extra on a high quality pillow - it's well worth the money, and besides, it's something you'll use everyday.

At Advanced Healthcare Inc., Dr. Pisarek highly recommends to stay away from a  poor quality pillow which can cause disturbed sleep. As sleep is very important to the body’s repair process, compromising the quality of your pillow can also affect your overall health and mental fitness.

Dr. Pisarek believes that it is important that you use a good quality and supportive pillow, which will hold your neck in alignment and which supports your head. (Your head weighs an average of 4 to 6 kilograms.) A good pillow will encourage your head and neck to remain in the correct position when you move around during sleep. In turn, this will relieve muscle tension around the neck, relax the shoulders and correctly position the head, arms, and lower back for relaxed sleep. Your pillow should offer most support to your neck. To achieve this, chiropractors recommend that you buy an orthopaedic pillow.

What are Orthopaedic Pillows?

There are both biomechanical and pain relieving benefits for you in using orthopaedic pillows. They are helpful in the treatment of pain by offering support and should be considered an important adjunct to chiropractic care in the treatment of acute and chronic neck complaints regardless of the cause. They can also help with minimizing snoring for some.

They are generally made from hypoallergenic foam and fortrel, some are made from memory foam, and they are shaped. They have a 'bump' or contour that gives you the optimum support for your neck and head.

Regardless of why you think you have pain, it is important to deal with it sooner rather than later. The longer you have a problem, the harder it is to get rid of it. The early signs of having a problem might only present as a slight stiffness and tiredness in the neck and shoulders, not to mention headaches and a disturbed, restless sleep. Having pain is not normal, even though it is common.

Call 416-633-3000 to book a chiropractic assessment with Dr. Pisarek at Advanced Healthcare Inc. to help get a diagnosis and effective treatment program of your problems, sooner rather than later.