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Can a Neck Wedge Really Help with Back Pain? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can a Neck Wedge Really Help with Back Pain? Here’s What You Need to Know

Back pain can get in the way of daily life and not only cause you extreme discomfort, it can also prohibit you from tasks you were once able to do with ease. It makes sitting at work uncomfortable, it takes the joy out of going for a walk, and it can even rob you of a good night’s sleep, which we know is very important .

Surprisingly, the neck plays a huge role in how the entire spine feels, and that is why at Burlington Spinal Decompression after the adaptive phase patients will be provided a neck wedge to assist with their rehabilitation.  

Why Neck Alignment Matters

 

Let’s get into a little more detail as to why Neck Alignment is so important… Picture your head as a bowling ball balances on top of your long spine. When your spine is balanced properly, everything feels lighter and easier. But when your head tips forward, like it does when you are hunched over your phone or on a laptop, that bowling ball pulls the whole spine out of balance.  In fact, for every inch the head moves forward, it can add about ten pounds of extra pressure on the neck and upper back【Katzman, 2017.

This posture is often called “tech neck,” and it does not just stop at the neck. It causes tension in the shoulders, creates aches in the mid back, and can even add stress to the lower back.

That is why improving the curve of the neck can make such a difference throughout the entire body, hence why Dr Brad Deakin adds ‘The Wedge’ to all of his patients’ recovery plans.

What is a Neck Wedge?

 

A neck wedge is a firm, wedge shaped cushion, we have them placed beside the front counter at our Burlington Clinic, so feel free to pick one up and ask about it next time you are in the clinic. To put it simply it is designed to restore the natural curve of the cervical spine. Unlike a pillow that is meant for comfort, the wedge is used as a therapeutic tool and should only be used as per Dr Brad’s Instructions, prescribed specific to your recovery plan.

When you lie back on it, the wedge supports the neck so gravity can gently encourage it to relax into its natural position. Over time, this helps release built up tension and allows the spine to re-balance itself. Many people describe it as a reset for the back.

Why Dr Brad Deakin Recommends It

 

Dr Brad Deakin often includes the neck wedge as part of his treatment plans for people dealing with chronic pain or posture issues. Research has shown that cervical traction and similar supports can be a safe, non-invasive way to ease pain and stiffness 【StatPearls, 2023】【Cleveland Clinic, 2023】.

In one study, 81% of patients with neck and arm pain felt relief after using a simple at-home traction tool just a few minutes a day 【Borman et al., 1998】. Another clinical trial found that combining traction with exercises helped patients reduce pain and disability more effectively than exercise alone 【Fritz et al., 2014】.

That is why at Burlington Spinal Decompression, every patient receives a neck wedge on week three of their treatment plan. By this stage, the spine has already begun to adapt to Spinal Decompression therapy in the clinic. The wedge then becomes a tool patients can use at home to reinforce those changes between visits.  He will ask you if you have been using your wedge..please remember when he asks this he is simply asking to promote a faster recovery and support long term improvement. 

What You Might Notice

 

People who begin using a neck wedge often say they feel:

  • Less tension in their neck and shoulders

  • Relief from pain in the upper and mid back

  • Better posture when sitting and standing

  • Deeper, more comfortable sleep

  • Fewer flare-ups if they spend long hours at a desk

It is not an instant cure, but with regular use the neck wedge can retrain the body to relax and find its natural alignment again.

How to Use It

 

If you are trying a neck wedge for the first time, here are a few of Dr Brad’s simple tips:

  • Start with just a few minutes each day
  • Use it consistently for the best results
  • Pay attention to your body.
  • A gentle stretch is normal, but sharp pain is not.
  • Combine it with movement and posture-friendly changes at work or home

 

A Quick Note of Caution

A neck wedge is safe for most people, but if you have had recent neck surgery, fractures, or serious spinal conditions, it is important to check with Dr Brad before using one.

Final Thoughts

Back pain can be complicated and there is rarely just one cause. But sometimes small tools can make a big difference. A neck wedge is simple, affordable, and easy to use at home. By supporting the neck, you can take pressure off the entire spine.

As Dr Brad Deakin often reminds his patients, looking after the neck is about more than comfort. It is about protecting the health of the whole back. That is why Burlington Spinal Decompression provides a neck wedge to patients in week three of care. It is not just about what happens in the clinic. It is also about giving people the tools they need to keep improving at home.

If you have been dealing with back issues, this may be the small change that helps you feel more comfortable, more mobile, and more yourself again.

Book a consultation with us and through our onsite x-rays and regular monitoring  we can truly get to the root of what the issue is and have you feeling yourself again. 

Don’t delay, put your health first and feel better for it. 

Burlington Spinal Decompression – 3350 Fairview Street, Burlington, Ontario . 

Email our friendly team today: info@burlingtonspinaldecompression.ca

Phone: +1 289 337 9969 

Website: https://burlingtonspinaldecompression.ca/contact/  

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