Will a special pillow or other sleep adjustments improve my neck pain?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I tend to have a lot of neck pain. Would it help to buy a special pillow, or make any other adjustments to the way I sleep?
DEAR READER: As with so many things, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure when it comes to neck pain. And how you sleep at night can make a big difference. Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. Whichever you prefer, choose an appropriate pillow. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head. You can achieve this by tucking a small neck roll into the pillowcase of a flatter, softer pillow.