Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

Got neck pain? This is the kind of pillow that sleep specialists recommend

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 13:33:34 -0500

CNN explores whether your pillow could be causing neck and shoulder pain. George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS, explains common mistakes and offers tips for choosing the right pillow to improve comfort and alignment.

Watch the full segment at cnn.com.

Your big, cushy bed could be ruining your sleep. Time to rethink the floor

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:14:53 -0500

George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS, sat down with CNN to explain why moving from a softer sleep surface to a firmer one may support better spinal alignment and overall sleep quality. Dr. Cyril highlighted how a firmer base helps maintain a neutral spine, reducing the likelihood of morning aches and restless sleep.

Watch the full segment at CNN.com.

Why a tatami mat might help you sleep better

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:56:00 -0400

According to The Washington Post, the mattress industry is brimming with innovation and constantly rolling out new products to improve sleep. Some mattresses allow you to adjust the firmness or sleeping angle. Others include cutting-edge cooling technology.

Despite all these bells and whistles, many people are turning to the past to solve their sleep issues. That’s where tatami mats come in. This humble, traditional Japanese sleep setup has gained a loyal, relatively small (but steadily growing) following.

Valued for their firmness and simplicity, tatami mats offer an ascetic alternative to the plush and heavy beds to which so many Americans are accustomed. They are typically 1 to 3 inches thick and traditionally are made of woven strands of rush grass (igusa) covering a firmer core of compressed rice straw.

However people style their tatami, the setup does offer benefits. The firmness of your sleep surface is hugely important, said George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS. We may associate soft, cushy mattresses with luxury and comfort, but Dr. Cyril said that after a few nights you’ll realize that the lack of support puts unnecessary pressure on different parts of the body. “It can compromise blood flow to certain areas and put you in misalignment,” he said.

Read the full article at washingtonpost.com. A subscription is required to access.

Explaining water pillows and three other specialty headrests

Fri, 20 May 2022 15:07:00 -0400

The Washington Post explains different types of specialty pillows and shares guidance from experts including George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Cyril explained that for cervical pillows, “What they’re trying to do is accentuate the natural curvature of your neck.”

He added, “A lot of times when folks have back or neck pain, they’ve kind of lost that natural curvature, and that’s put a lot of strain on their neck.” Nestling your head into a cervical pillow, the thinking goes, takes pressure off the neck, alleviating pain, he said.

He recommended cervical pillows for those who sleep on their backs, but side sleepers should avoid them. “They’re usually not high enough to support your neck if you're a side sleeper,” which could lead to more pain, he added.

Dr. Cyril noted that buckwheat pillows are a nice alternative to water pillows for side sleepers who crave a pillow that will remain consistent throughout the night but don’t want to deal with water.

Read the full article at Washingtonpost.com. A subscription is required to access.

13 Supportive Mattresses for Anyone Who Deals With Back Pain

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:54:00 -0400

SELF.com discusses the best mattresses for back pain and includes guidance from George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS.

According to Dr. Cyril, “If you deal with chronic back pain, you should make sure your pillow isn’t too tall or too low for you, and that your sleep position encourages spinal alignment.”

He continued, “Using a pillow that’s too tall can crank your neck forward, while sleeping on your stomach leads your neck to stay twisted to one side all night. If your spine, shoulders, and neck aren’t in a neutral position while you sleep, you’re more likely to wake up with soreness and that dreaded “kink” in your neck.”

He explained that materials in a bed can provide a better idea of its cushioning and firmness, and innerspring mattresses and ones constructed with pocketed coils will have a different feel from solid foam beds.

Read the full article at Self.com.

Arthritis linked to sleep disruption

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 22:16:00 -0400

CBS News discusses the connection of arthritis and sleep disruption and features management tips from George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Cyril explained, “Sleep is so important for people with arthritis because sleep can dictate how you interpret your pain. Poor sleep can cause a vicious cycle with your pain, like dropping your pain threshold.”

From a mental health perspective, Dr. Cyril continued, “Just like pain, sleep can have a direct effect on your pain and your mood, including depression and anxiety, and can create a vicious cycle. It is important to seek help if you have problems you cannot handle yourself.”

He recommended simple ways to try to reduce inflammation in the body, such as avoiding pro-inflammatory like refined sugars, getting moderate exercise and rest, and walking 20-30 minutes a day.

Dr. Cyril strongly advised getting into a routine before bedtime. “It is important to get a great routine with your sleep as far as your hygiene: get into a dark room of a temperature at 68-69 degrees, avoid screens 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Something that could help if you are having a lot of pain is to ice joints and stretch if you have a lot of tension.”

On losing mobility, Dr. Cyril said, “If you get poor sleep it spirals to point you can be disabled, and that happens in half the cases of arthritis.”

Watch the full segment at CBSNews.com.

Every Type of Pillow You Need to Know About

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:55:00 -0500

Good Housekeeping discusses different pillow types and features insights from HSS physiatrist George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR on what to look for when choosing the best pillow.

"The hottest topic most of my patients want to talk about is what type of pillow and filling is the best for sleep comfort,” said Dr. Cyril. “The specific brand is not as important as the amount of support a pillow gives for your specific sleeping position," to avoid neck pain, he added.

Read the full article at Goodhousekeeping.com.

The best sleeping positions that experts recommend for back pain, acid reflux, and more

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 10:54:00 -0400

INSIDER reports on the best sleeping positions according to experts including HSS physiatrist George Cyril, MD, FAAPMR, to relieve musculoskeletal pain and back pain from sleeping the wrong way.

Sleeping on your back will counteract the effects of slouching forward over a desk most of the day, by opening up the shoulders and pecs. Dr. Cyril suggested sleeping with a flat pillow, moldable pillow, or neck roll, to make this sleeping position more comfortable. Additionally, placing a firm pillow under your knees will eliminate pressure on your spine and hip joints, he noted.

Sleeping on your side might help those with certain medical conditions get a better night’s sleep. Dr. Cyril explained there is evidence that show sleeping on your left side can reduce stomach and bowel problems (e.g., acid reflux), possibly because the esophageal sphincter muscle — which separates the stomach and esophagus and prevents acid reflux when closed – is able to relax more. Additionally, for those with back pain that is exacerbated by walking or standing, Dr. Cyril recommended sleeping on your side with your knee towards the chest to help alleviate the pain. A firm mattress will provide full support for your body without stressing the joints, said Dr. Cyril. Otherwise, you can experiment with pillow placement (e.g., a firm pillow between the legs to alleviate pressure on the low back, hips, and knees; or below the waist to prevent sinking into a soft mattress), he added.

Read the full article at Insider.com.