What sleeping position should be adopted for cervical spondylosis?

Feb 08, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am a 24-year-old female, and recently I'm not sure if it's due to prolonged looking down at electronic devices, but I seem to be having some cervical spine issues, causing me discomfort when sleeping at night. What is the recommended sleeping posture for cervical spondylosis?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
You can lie down using a pillow that is not too high, as people with cervical spondylosis may find it difficult to sleep without a pillow. Sleeping without a pillow and allowing the neck to flex forward is detrimental for cervical spondylosis and can lead to muscle tension. At the same time, patients with cervical spondylosis should avoid pillows that are too high. Although a higher pillow might feel more comfortable, it effectively forces the cervical spine into a head-down position. This posture easily causes muscle tension, leading to prolonged release of inflammatory substances and resulting in pain, potentially worsening adhesions in the neck muscles. Generally, the pillow should be slightly elevated—its height ideally matching the natural curvature from the shoulder to the head. Depending on muscle strength, men may use a slightly higher pillow, while women may prefer a slightly lower one.