Strange Feeling in the Head and the Cervical Spine: Can Your Pillow Play a Part?
A strange feeling in the head, such as pressure, light-headedness or mild dizziness, is often linked to the neck (cervical spine). Whether it is actually the cause can't be said from a distance. A doctor can clarify that. A suitable pillow can improve your neck posture during sleep, but it does not treat any complaints.
What could be behind the feeling?
There are many possibilities: tension, stress, circulation, eyes, ears and quite a few more. The cause belongs in a doctor's hands, not in an internet search.
Seek medical help immediately, in an emergency call 000, if you have a sudden, very severe headache, vision problems, speech problems, paralysis, numbness, fainting, or after a fall or accident.
Can my pillow play a part?
If a pillow is too high or too low, your head doesn't sit in line with your cervical spine. Your neck then spends many hours in an awkward position. That can contribute to tension and may feel uncomfortable in the morning. We can't promise that it is connected to the feeling in your head.
A suitable pillow keeps your head and cervical spine in line and leaves room for your shoulder. It doesn't promise more than that.
To find out how to recognise an unsuitable pillow, read Pillow too high or too low. For neck complaints, see this guide to the right height.
What does the right pillow height depend on?
On your body measurements, your sleeping position (back, side, stomach) and your mattress (soft, medium, firm). For this, Pillowise measures three points:
- Shoulder width: measured around the curve of your back, with the tape measure not pulled tight.
- Neck circumference: once all the way around.
- Neck length: from the bottom of your ear to the tip of your shoulder.
From these measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress, an algorithm selects the suitable pillow from six sizes, each with its own colour. You can find out more about the calculation under Calculate pillow height.
Where does this method come from?
Thijs van der Hilst was a physiotherapist who specialised in neck and shoulder complaints. He couldn't recommend a suitable pillow to his patients. So he developed a measuring method with three measurements. Pillowise grew out of that.
So: do you need a new pillow?
If you wake up feeling good in the morning and your pillow feels comfortable, you probably don't need to change anything. If the strange feeling in your head persists, have it checked by a doctor. A suitable pillow is no substitute for that. It can, however, be one less thing for you to worry about.
Work out your size yourself with PillowScan, or get measured at a retailer.
Work out your size yourself or find a retailer near you
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise
