Strange Feeling in the Head From the Cervical Spine: Can a Pillow Play a Role?
A strange feeling in the head, such as pressure, lightheadedness or mild dizziness, is often linked to the cervical spine (the neck). Whether it is actually the cause can't be determined from a distance. A doctor can work that out. A suitable pillow can improve your neck position during sleep, but it does not treat any condition.
What could be behind the feeling?
The possibilities are many: muscle tension, stress, circulation, eyes, ears and more. The cause belongs in the hands of a medical professional, not an internet search.
Get medical help right away, and call 911 in an emergency, 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 role?
If a pillow is too high or too low, your head is not in line with your cervical spine. Your neck then spends many hours in an unfavourable 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 learn how to tell if a pillow doesn't suit you, read Pillow too high or too low. If neck discomfort is a concern, 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). Pillowise measures three points for this:
- Shoulder width: around the curve of your back, with the tape measure resting loosely.
- Neck circumference: once all the way around.
- Neck length: from the bottom edge of your ear to the tip of your shoulder.
Based on 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 Calculating pillow height.
Where does this method come from?
Thijs van der Hilst was a physiotherapist who specialized 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 and your pillow is comfortable, you probably don't need to change anything. If the strange feeling in your head persists, have a doctor look into it. A suitable pillow is no substitute for that. It can, however, be one less factor for you to worry about.
Determine your size yourself with PillowScan, or get measured at a retailer.
Determine your size yourself or find a retailer near you
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise
