Hi McFlyI

We're definitely on the same page here, although I do think that, depending on anyone's particular degeneration (regeneration?) state,the details of the best sleeping posture to adopt will vary accordingly. All trial and error/success, I suppose. I've experimented, just as you are doing, and I've tried to focus on the 'happy medium' postures which might suit a broader demography, rather than what just works for me. I've sliced memory foam stiffer pillows in half with a handsaw, and tried them in combination with softer feather pillows on top. Also I've used cerv pillow at 45 degrees on top of soft pillow (really allows the neck/shoulder to sink in for max support). However, I still find the propped up sofa sleep the most reliable. Bottom line, as you say, is to find the most comfortable possible posture before falling asleep, where there is least sense of strain on the neck, and I think the sleeping process then takes care of the symptoms which might appear next morning. If the symptoms have worsened, or even not eased, then I take the lessons, and brace myself for a tricky day ahead. If the symptoms have eased, then I feel like the holidays have come early....a kind of post-easing euphoria sets in where it actually takes some time to come down from the sense of relief, and I have to readjust myself to more normal activities.

The swimming, and the press ups, would be beyond me. But I am a self employed decorator, and when I work, I get plenty of exercise....many times exceeding my own limitations and then living with the consequences. Bit of a phase at the moment after helping a friend with a heavy duty printer into a third floor flat. 'The road to hell' etc. Got to admit I tend towards less is more, especially if outcomes might be unknown....learning by misadventure is a hard route when the sofa beckons so invitingly ! Having said that, the many stressed physical situations which my work has offered up have helped me recognise the triggers for aggravation of the neck (looking up, reaching behind, lifting weights etc). I always try to be horizontal with, or even above, if possible, any strenuous manual work. If I can't manage that, I have a willing helper who does all the overhead stuff. A few years ago, due to numb right hand, I couldn't paint a straight line, or hammer a nail home, or even use a scewdriver properly...but I persevered, and eventually, although still numb, the ability has returned to an acceptable level. Next week I've got a small job on scaffolding, up four stories, and I've asked the scaffolders to give me access through a top floor window so I don't have to drag tools up the scaffold ladder....I know my limitations, and I don't want to spend the following two weeks recuperating !

I'd be glad to hear of any successes you have with your experiments, to add to the theory.....good tips need exposure !

Regards

Gerry

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PS.....

Just thought I add a comment to something you posted :

"When I mentioned to the orthopedic doc that "I seem to be damaging my neck as I sleep", he thought I was being a bit weird...! "

I know exactly what you mean by that, but have to admit I've got a problem with the 'damaging' description. AS I see it, and this probably goes against how most would interpret it, what happens during sleep is 'corrective' or 'protective'. Depending on the vulnerabilities detected by the nervous system during sleep, when all is relaxed and assessable, the resulting symptoms are instigated as protection against further aggravation. Unfortunately, the protective symptoms can be worse than an unmanifested threat to the nerve, and often the patient percieves those symptoms as representing a general deterioration. As I see it, it's usually only temporary, and doesn't necessarilly denote any deterioration or degeneration. I'm inclined towards seeing it as 'regenerative', because the neck is merely responding to threats...as it must do. Sorry if this sounds a bit picky, but understandings depend on the overview.
Just wondering what you might think about that overview ? Would it fit your own subjective experiences ?

Gerry