[Vickie]

Your mattress is really of critical importance. You should look at your warranty but if you've had a mattress for more than 7 years it will probably be showing wear in the posture your body settles most. I don't adhere to the sleep posture postulations. I think your body will move around and should move around and this should all be a part of your recovery for the day. Make sure your pillow is high enough for your shoulder height but be sure when you are on your back you aren't feeling like your neck is protruded forward. I personally use the pillows from brookstone and then put a feather pillow on top of it. This combination gives me support and movability; I move a lot during sleep. Some people move less, you just have to support your rythm.

Yes, strength and flexibility training re-establish the muscle memory that remind you to maintain your posture without continually pulling back your shoulders. You will just find yourself looking for the right position. Appropriate tension will allow you to keep your chest lifted, your abdominal wall long and engaged to give rest to your neck and back. Imagine that you've learned a new language and you don't speak too well. you take it to the native country and learn to become fluent. If you come back home and don't use the language for an extended period of time you will loose your memory of the language. Such is the language of the body. Use is appropriately and often and it will maintain itself without so much mental intervention.

Vik