Why You Can Trust Us
Our team at Sleep Foundation includes experts and testers with years of experience in the sleep product industry. We have tested over 300 pillows in order to determine which ones are best suited to sleepers with different needs. Our team includes back, side, stomach, and combination sleepers, as well as sleepers of different body types. This allows us to represent as wide an array of sleep preferences as possible in our findings.
How We Tested The Best Pillows For Back Pain
We tested each pillow over several nights and during our trials we considered the sleeping position they were best for, the loft they offered, the material they were made of, and the areas they targetted.
- Sleeping positiondepending on your go-to sleeping positions, some pillows may be better suited to you than others.
- Loftaka the height of the pillow when you’re resting on it. Back sleepers should opt for a medium loft pillow that fits with the natural curvature of the head and neck. side sleeps may need something a little higher to fill the gap between the neck and shoulders, while stomach sleepers benefit most from low loft pillows.
- Materiallook for breathable materials like mesh and bamboo, and hypoallergenic pillowcases. Memory foam fillings are best for those with back pain as it ensures the pillow contours to suit your shape.
- Targeted areaconsider how the brand markets the pillow and what specific area it promises to relieve tension for. Some pillows are designed to ease lower back pain, while others are created to relieve upper back pain.
Is There A Saatva Mattress Voucher Or Discount Rate Code
At the time of this writing, there is no particular Saatva discount or code. Nevertheless, Saatva will have occasional sales focused around vacations and other events. In some cases, you can save as much as $200 off. For a list of existing rates and sales, make sure to examine Saatva.com to see the best offers.
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How To Choose The Best Pillow For Your Pain
When choosing what kind of pillow to purchase for the best support, be sure to consider your sleep positioning. In general, the head, neck, and shoulders should be aligned while one sleeps, says Rahul Shah, M.D., board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon.
Many people will move around in their sleep and change positions throughout the night. Depending on your positioning, using a pillow between your knees or a pillow with a cut out for the head to better support your neck may be helpful, Dr. Shah says. By using a pillow between the legs, the hips and lower pelvis may be placed in a more comfortable position leading to less irritation of the low back and muscles and helping to improve sleep, he says.
What Can I Do
Do you deal with lower back pain? Youre not alone.
The Global Burden of Disease study named lower back pain the leading cause of disability across the globe.
Whats even more interesting is that most back pain isnt caused by serious medical conditions, like cancer or arthritis. Instead, its often brought on by stress or strain from bad posture, awkward sleeping positions, and other lifestyle habits.
Here are the best sleeping positions to try if you have lower back pain, as well as some other things you can do to get a better nights rest.
If lying flat on your back feels uncomfortable, try shifting over to your side:
Whether you use one pillow or opt for two, you should resist the urge to always sleep on the same side. Doing so many cause issues like muscle imbalance and even scoliosis.
How does this position help? Sleeping on your side alone wont make you feel better. Its using the pillow between your knees thats the trick. The pillow will keep your hips, pelvis, and spine in better alignment.
If you have a herniated disc, you may want to try sleeping on your side curled in a fetal position:
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Best Lumbar Support Pillows For Sleeping
There is a wide variety of lumbar support pillows available on the market. Below are seven options that people may wish to try.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
- Price: from $38.50
- Customer rating: 4.8 out of five stars
According to the manufacturer, this pillow supports the spine and helps a person maintain optimal posture when they are sleeping.
The product ties around the waist and has tapered ends to help a person move freely while wearing it.
It also has a removable cotton-polyester cover that is machine-washable.
The OPTP Original McKenzie night roll is available in three sizes.
Additional features include:
- Price: list price of $79.99
- Customer rating: five out of five stars
According to the manufacturer, this product offers support to pregnant people while they are in bed.
The company claims that anyone can use the pillow to get adequate lumbar support while sleeping.
This product features organic bamboo charcoal memory foam. The manufacturers say this offers temperature regulation and absorbs moisture when a person is in bed.
Additional features include a machine-washable slipcover and hypoallergenic materials.
What To Do If Youre Suffering From Ongoing Back Pain
Back pain is categorized into two types: acute and chronic, long-term pain. Acute pain begins abruptly and generally lasts up to six weeks while chronic pain develops over a longer time period, lasts beyond three months, and creates separate, ongoing problems. You should see your physician to discuss your back pain and find the best treatment for you.
Based on the diagnosis, your doctor may offer the following remedies:
1. Over the counter pain relief medication
2. Medical treatment, such as prescription medication, physical therapy
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including relaxation techniques. Studies demonstrate that patients with CBT tend to become more active, resulting in a lower risk of back pain recurrence.
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The Best Pillows For Back Pain As Chosen By Our Experts
The Gentle Living Lumbar Support Pillow doesn’t look like your average pillow, but it could be the solution to all your lower back pain. The highly-acclaimed pillow lived up to expectations in our tests, and really is worth all the hype.
The memory foam pillow is created to adapt to the curve of your spine, no matter what sleeping position you’re in. The best part? It’s adjustable, which means you can add or remove a cushioned layer to find a height that suits you. It’s super versatile, and ideal if you sleep in different positions throughout the night as you can place it under your back, under your stomach, or between your legs to support your spin.
The supportive pillow also features a 60% polyester, 40% bamboo hypoallergenic pillowcase that can easily be removed and washed in your machine.
Finding the right position and height took our tester a little time, but once she did she sleep comfortably throughout the night and woke up pain-free! Although, she wished the pillow was slightly shorter so it didn’t take up as much space in her double bed.
For an affordable pillow to help ease back and side pain, look no further than the Slumberdown Climate Control Pillow Pack. Made of soft, hypoallergenic and cooling fibers, the breathable Dacron filling in this pillow will keep you cool while you snooze.
It’s worth noting some shoppers find this pillow too flat and feel like they to fluff it up often to meet the promise of medium support
Pillows For Stomach Sleepers
This is the worst position for back pain because it flattens the natural spinal curve, placing a strain on your muscles. Plus your neck is rotated, which can lead to neck and shoulder pain too.
If you want to keep sleeping on your stomach, place a standard pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen. This keeps pressure off your back. This position is best for relieving pain from degenerative disc disease or paracentral disc herniation. The pillow under your head should be very thin or you shouldnt use one at all.
If youre ready to switch positions, these pillows can help.
The SnuggleFoam Pillow is made of premium memory foam for exceptional comfort. It provides the same pressure to your stomach while changing positions.
This 10 long body pillow offers abdominal and back support. Try this pillow when switching from sleeping on your stomach to on your side. The large pillow is also ideal for pregnant women.
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Searching For Fast Pain Relief Try These Alternatives
Heat packs are another way to ease stiffness from a sore back. Heat increases blood flow to the area, which relaxes your muscle fibers and reduces spasms. There are a variety of ways to provide heat to your back while youre awake.
This heat wrap provides up to 8 hours of warm relief to your back and hips. It can be applied directly to the skin, but if youre over 55, you should apply the wrap over a layer of clothing.
Get soothing heat fast by microwaving this therapy pack. If you want to walk around during the treatment, the strap will keep it in position. The 2-in-1 pack can also be used for cold therapy after being chilled in the freezer.
Relax your muscles using a moist heat pad. The moisture helps prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated. This pad is great for a nice heat treatment before bed.
ReferencesDeardorff, W. W., PhD . . Chronic Pain and Insomnia: Breaking the Cycle. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing . Hot or cold for back pain? Retrieved from Marcin, A. . The Best Sleeping Positions for Lower Back Pain, Alignment Tips, and More. Retrieved from Rodriguez, D. . Can Switching Your Sleep Position Ease Back Pain? Retrieved from
Sleep On Your Stomach With Pillow Below Abdomen
Sleeping on your stomach isnt actually a good idea. It increases pressure on your cervical and lumbar spine, pressure that can lead to more damage, inflammation, and pain.
However, if stomach sleeping is your preference, then follow the tips provided below:
- Use a very flat pillow
- Place a pillow below your abdomen to reduce the curvature in your lower back
Stomach sleeping is often recommended to people with degenerative disc diseases. It can relieve pressure on the discs in your spine.
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Natures Guest Adjustable Orthopedic Contour Pillow For Sleeping
Sometimes you want firm support, and sometimes you dont. So which one is right for you? The zippered access allows you to adjust theNatures Guest pillow to find precisely the type of optimal comfort and support level that will give you a good nights sleep. Giving your body what it needs can improve sleeping patterns that are suffering due to incorrect positioning and inferior quality pillows. The amount of memory foam filling inside the Natures Guest Pillow conforms so gently into the perfect shape for your head and neck that waking up feeling energized every day of the week is within arms reach. Available in three different sizes, theres one that will fit your mattress perfectly. The Natures Guest is the perfect gift for a friend or family member who needs to rest their head on something soft but supportive. It can also be used by those who suffer from back problems and need extra support while sleeping. This pillow was designed to help relieve pressure points and improve both spinal alignment and posture.
Pros
- The pillows design is perfect for those who are looking for a little bit of back support when theyre in bed.
- The Natures Guest Pillow gives your body the support it needs to relieve pressure points and align the spine, which can help reduce pain when you wake up.
- There are three different sizes available so anyone from a child to an adult can find one that fits their mattress perfectly
Cons
Consider These Factors Before Making A Purchase
Before making a purchase, people often research the opinions of others. Today, reviews play a crucial role in marketing. The buyer should apply the information to their own lives to make it more effective. By closely examining word-of-mouth, we can gain a deeper understanding of brand awareness. The main source of reviews is word-of-mouth.
Instead of going door-to-door, you can use the body pillow for bad back. Instead of searching your browser, browse other websites that sell your product.
Amazon is one of the most popular online selling platforms in the world. You can learn what other people think about your products by reading reviews on other online marketplaces.
You can also find legitimate reviews on the Reddit discussion board. People from around the world are interested in reviewing products and submitting ideas. If they arent too rare, many product threads can be found.
Reddit users can learn more about body pillow for bad back no matter the brand, size, or purpose.
Reviews online can be helpful, even if you are researching body pillow for bad back specifically. Amazon is one of the many trustworthy online platforms. Amazon reviews of body pillow for bad back may therefore be useful to you.
If you want to get the most out of body pillow for bad back, you need more than just a review.
To proceed, you will also need the following information:
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Which Pillow Is Best For Neck Pain
There isnt one single pillow out there thats perfect for everyone, but the best pillow for neck pain has two main characteristics: its firm enough to keep your head at a neutral angle so your spine stays aligned while you sleep, but yet somehow soft enough to allow some give to help alleviate pressure points. Thats why we like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck Pillowit checks all the boxes.
Memory foam and feather pillows are excellent options because they provide support, but also cradle your head to keep your spine neutral. Cervical pillowsthe ones that have a depression in the center and raised edgesare also top picks. Keep in mind that the best pillow for neck pain may not feel totally comfortable at first. It can take some getting used to, so give it a little time.
What Is The Best Pillow Positioning For Back Pain
Sleep posture can exacerbate or alleviate back pain. Sleeping on your back is often considered the best positioning for back pain. This position is most likely to encourage sleepers to maintain a neutral posture, which keeps the spine aligned and reduces pressure on the lumbar region. Sleepers can use pillows strategically to relieve back pain.
Stomach sleeping is one of the worst sleeping positions for back pain, as it puts pressure on the lower back and often leads to spinal misalignment.
The following sleeping positions, along with their potential benefits and drawbacks, should be considered:
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How To Choose A Pillow For Neck Pain
If you experience neck pain, choosing the right pillow can be a key step toward living pain-free. The right pillow will depend on your individual needs. Well walk you through the most important considerations, including how to choose the best material, shape, and thickness for your individual sleeping style.
What To Look For In A Pillow
Your pillow should cradle your head and neck and help to support the upper portion of your spine.
If you sleep on your back, your pillow should completely fill the space between your neck and the mattress. If you sleep on your side, try using a thicker pillow to keep your head in line with the rest of your body in this position.
Whatever you do, dont place your pillow under your shoulders.
For back sleepers: You may do best with thinner pillows and those that have extra padding in the bottom to support the neck.
Memory foam is a good material that molds specifically to your own neck.
A water pillow is another option that gives firm, all-over support.
For stomach sleepers: You should aim to use the thinnest pillow possible or no pillow at all. In fact, you may try sleeping on your side while holding a body pillow. The body pillow will give you the feeling of something against your stomach while helping to align the rest of your body.
For side sleepers: You may want to look for a firm pillow. Better yet, try to find one that has an extra-wide gusset that will help with the space between your ear and shoulder. And dont forget to place a firm pillow between your knees. You may even substitute a rolled towel.
While youre at it, remember to change your pillow every 18 months or so. Those pillow protectors can be a good barrier, but pillows still hold lots of allergy triggers like mold and dust mites.
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Best Pillows For Back Neck And Shoulder Pain
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Remember a life before back pain? We didnt know how good we had it as kids. Now, when we sleep with our neck turned at the slightest wrong angle, suddenly we cant move for the next week without hurting ourselves. Its not like we can avoid sleeping, so finding a pillow that works with our sleeping style and our preferences is of the utmost importance.
Even if youve found the best mattress in the world, theres a good chance you wont know true comfort until youve purchased a pillow specifically targeting your type of pain whether its in your upper back, lower back, neck, shoulders or beyond. Were here to help you out with that. We searched around, studying research and quotes from experts until we found the best pillows for all types of back pain!
