Cervical neck surgery is required when the cervical disc that is located in the neck starts to behave in an abnormal way. Your neck will constantly be in pain, your arms and your shoulders will also become weak. Follow this article and know about how to sleep after cervical neck surgery and what type of pillows are best after having a neck surgery.
Cervical disc is attached to the vertebrae in your neck. When the disc in your neck starts to malfunction, it will cause terrible pain in your neck and spine. You will also experience terrible pain in your arms and shoulders. So much so, you will be unable to move your neck around and sleep peacefully. The pain in your neck will never let you have a good night’s sleep until you do something about it.
Cervical neck surgery is not a comp;icated surgery. It can be done through a small slit that helps the doctors to remove the disc that has been causing pain to your neck and spine. When the disc starts to behave abnormally and causes pain to you, this means the disc has now become degenerative and it has started to pinch the nerves in your neck that are connecting to your spine. It is paramount to treat the disc immediately otherwise, it will start affecting the movement of your arms and spine.
Follow this article to know more about how to sleep after cervical neck surgery and what type of pillows are best after having a neck surgery.
Table of Contents
What are some of the signs that you need cervical neck surgery?
Following are some of the signs which clearly indicate that you need a cervical neck surgery for your neck and spine stability.
- Tension between neck and shoulders
- Terrible pain in your spine
- Motion problems
- Numbness
- Being unfit to sleep because of the pain
Tension between neck and shoulders:
When the cervical disc in your neck is not stable anymore, it will create tension between your neck and shoulders. You will feel as though you are carrying something heavy on your shoulders and they will start getting swollen, especially your shoulder blades that are connecting your neck to the spine. You will feel terrible pain in your neck and shoulders.
Terrible pain in your spine:
The cervical disc attaches the spine to your neck, when the disc is degenerated then, it will cause terrible pain in your neck and spine. You will be unable to do anything. You will feel terrible pain when you are sitting, when you are lying down, and when you are walking. This pain will interfere in every aspect of your life, making it tough for you to do anything properly.
Motion problems
You will be unable to move your arms freely. Your motion range will be limited and it will not be like before. When you try to lift your arms, you will feel terrible pain shooting up your arms, this kind of pain will make you cry. Your functions will be very limited and your arms may start to swell up.
Numbness:
Another major sign is that your arms will start to go numb after some time. You will feel as though your arms are not with you anymore. They will feel heavy and there will be a tingling sensation in your arms as well. This is all because of the degenerated disc in your neck, that is suppressing your nerves.
Being unfit to sleep because of the pain:
The pain in your neck and spine will not let you sleep peacefully at night. Your back and neck muscles will hurt in every position, left, right, straight, or on your back. No matter how you lay down, your back and neck muscles will cause terrible pain. So much so, you will be unable to get a good night’s sleep.
How to sleep after cervical neck surgery?
It is paramount for us to take care of ourselves after any surgery. We have to be extra careful as the muscles inside our body are still healing. After having a cervical neck surgery, it will be tough for you to sit and lay down. You would have to be especially careful because you cannot afford to put pressure on your neck and back. Following are some things you can follow to sleep peacefully at night after cervical neck surgery.
- Sit before you lay down
- Be careful when you roll
- Get up carefully
- Wear a collar
- Sleep on your back
- Put a pillow under your legs
- Create a cool sleeping environment
- Have extra pillows for support
- Light exercise before going to bed
Sit before you lay down:
It is supreme for you to not put any pressure on your neck and back. If you want to lay down then, you must sit in a straight position before you lay down. Make sure that your neck is direct and there is no pressure. Put your legs up first and slowly start to go down, this way there will be no pressure on your back and you will not feel any pain.
Be careful when you roll:
It is natural to roll over from your side when you are sleeping but when you just had your cervical surgery then, it is supreme for you to be extra careful when you sleep. You cannot afford to roll over and put pressure on your neck and back muscles. It might get uncomfortable for you to lay down in the same area for a long time.
Get up carefully:
Do not try to get up all of a sudden. Make sure you do not put any coercion on your neck and spine. Take help from someone, put your legs down first and then slowly get up with someone’s help. Put your pressure on them and keep your back relaxed, this way you will be able to get up without straining your neck.
Wear a collar:
It is paramount for you to wear a cervical collar after having a neck surgery. The cervical collar will provide support to your neck muscles and it will help in keeping your neck straight. It will reduce the ache in your neck and you can move your neck a little bit. It will be a support for your back as well. Your muscles will not be compressed, this will reduce the pain you feel.
Sleep on your back:
The best sleeping position after cervical neck surgery is to sleep on your back. It is paramount that you keep your back straight and your spine will not feel any kind of pressure on your spine and you will be fit to have a good night’s sleep.
Put a pillow under your leg:
Sleeping on your back for the complete night can be uncomfortable for anyone. To avoid any discomfort, you can put a pillow under your legs. This will release the pressure from your spine. Your muscles will start to relax and you will be fit to have a good night’s sleep.
Create a cool sleeping environment:
Having a nice and cool environment before you go to sleep is essential, especially when you have to sleep in the same position. It is paramount for you to sleep in an environment that is ideal for you. The temperature, the mattress, the pillows, your clothes, the sheets, and the atmosphere, everything should be peaceful and quiet. This will aid you in having a good night’s sleep.
Have extra pillows for support:
Having extra pillows can show great support to your spine. You can place them on your sides, this way you will be unable to roll over and your spine will not feel any pressure when you move a little in your sleep. Place a pillow under your legs, this will release some weight from your spine and your pain will reduce.
Light exercise before going to bed:
Do not put any coercion on your neck, just do some light exercise that will help your muscles to stay active. Before you go to bed, stretch your neck lightly and move it slowly from one side to the other. This will make your muscles more active and that is a good sign of recovery.
What type of pillows are best after having a neck surgery?
Sleeping on normal pillows after having neck surgery can be tough for you. It might be too high or hard for your neck muscles. It is always a good idea to use pillows that are medicated. Some of the best pillows are briefly described below that you can use after having a neck surgery.
- The pancake pillow
- Memory foam pillow
- Tempur-pedic neck pillow
- The water pillow
- Cervical support pillow
- Hyper slim gel pillow
The pancake pillow:
The pancake pillow is named like this because it has soft internal layers just like a pancake. The premier thing about this pillow is its adjustable layers. You can easily adjust the pillow according to your wish. The material inside the pillow is extremely soft, it will be best for your neck muscles. This pillow will be comfortable for you and you will be fit to have a good night’s sleep after having a cervical surgery.
Memory foam pillow:
The memory foam pillow is made from chemicals that can make it more viscous and elastic. This will be best for someone who just had a cervical surgery because then, you would have to sleep on your back. The memory foam pillow will make sleeping comfortable for you, it will make your neck muscles release their tension.
Tempur-pedic neck pillow:
The tempur-pedic neck pillow will provide a firm support to your neck. It will not be too firm to make you feel uncomfortable. It is a medicated pillow that provides a therapeutic experience to your neck, shoulders, and spine. Your cervical muscles will not feel compressed and you will be fit to have a good night’s sleep.
The water pillow:
The water pillow is a medicated pillow that has been proved to provide a long and peaceful sleep. It has been assured that people who use it, wake up without any pain and tension. They will be able to enjoy their sleep. It is extremely comfortable and it will keep on moving as the person moves in their sleep, this way you will feel support in your neck throughout your sleep.
The cervical support pillow:
The cervical support pillow which is also known as orthopedic pillow, it is designed to keep your neck relaxed and pain free. There are so many healthcare professionals that advise their patients to use a cervical support pillow after having a neck surgery because it is designed in a way that your neck is resting properly and there is no pressure on your neck and spine muscles.
Hyper slim gel pillow:
Hyper slim gel pillow is designed as a low profile pillow that reduces the tension between your neck and shoulders. It will reduce the stress levels from your body and aid you in getting a good night’s sleep. Your spine will be straight and you will be unable to feel any pressure on your spine. This pillow also helps people to snore less and the internal cool gel will keep your temperature cool and you will be able to sleep comfortably.
What are some of the things that you must avoid after having cervical neck surgery?
We all know that it is paramount for us to rest and let our muscles heal after having a surgery. After having a cervical surgery, your neck and spine will become a little vulnerable and they will be unable to hold their support for some time. To make sure that you recover smoothly, you have to avoid the following things after having cervical neck surgery.
- Do not overdo it
- Do not lift anything heavy
- Do not ignore your doctor’s advice
- It is paramount to not rush anything
Do not overdo it:
It is supreme that you take your time. Even if you are doing little exercise to keep your muscles active, it is important that you do not overdo anything. Causing a strain on your muscles is not an adequate idea for someone who just had a cervical neck surgery. Your spine and your neck muscles are still healing, do not try anything that will make things more tough for you.
Do not lift anything heavy:
Your spine and your neck cannot hold too much pressure at this point of time, it is still healing. It will not be an adequate idea for you to go around and start lifting things. If you lift something heavy then, you will put your neck and shoulder muscles at risk. Your muscles might get compressed and it can lead to nerve damage which can be extremely painful for you.
Do not ignore your doctor’s advice:
It is paramount for you to follow your doctor’s advice. Take all the necessary medications on time and make sure you do light exercise everyday. It is to ensure that your muscles are still active, this way your journey to recovery will be smooth.
It is paramount to not rush anything:
Never rush anything. Leave your work and other tasks for a while and make sure you get the rest that you deserve. If you think that going to your work just after having cervical neck surgery is a good idea then, you are wrong. You can afford to put coercion on your neck and spine. You have to pause and let your body heal on its own.
Conclusion:
Having cervical neck surgery can be tough for you. You cannot put pressure on your neck and spine muscles and you are unable to sleep properly. Even if you lay down, you will not be fit to sleep comfortably, you will not be able to move freely while you sleep, and you will feel pain in your back that will not let you have a good night’s sleep. Finding a good sleeping position can be tough for you.
You cannot afford to put any pressure on your neck and your spine. You can sleep on your back with a pillow under your legs, this way you will be fit to sleep in a comfortable position without putting too much weight on your spine. You must also use medicated cervical pillows, they will provide a firm support to your neck and spine and this will help you get a good night’s sleep.
