How To Choose A Pillow For Neck Pain Relief
When choosing a cervical pillow, consider the width of your shoulders and the size of your head and if you are not sure of the ideal pillow height, choose an adjustable pillow.
Also consider the pillows durability, shape, size, filling, and materials to make the best decision. Here are the details:
1. Resilience & Durability
Every pillow has a shelf life. With cervical traction pillows, the shelf life depends on the quality of materials, but mostly on how dense it is.
Some pillows have less stuffing in them, which makes them less dense and therefore will break down faster. Others are denser, but because they are firmer, they could be less comfortable.
The best pillow will be dense enough to last for years, but not too dense to be uncomfortable.
To prevent your investment from disappearing in a year, look for a pillow that offers a warranty for losing shape and resilience.
For example, the Therapeutica sleeping pillow comes with a 5-year warranty for resilience.
2. Shape
Neck traction pillows come in different shapes.
You have trapeze-centered pillows, v-shape pillows, contour pillows, and ones that have a wedge extension to support your upper back.
It depends on personal preferences, but I can tell you that some pillows are not well fitted for side sleepers.
If youre a side sleeper, choose a pillow that its side-sleeping portions do not allow your head to slip back to the center while youre sleeping, or allow your neck to be tilted either up or down.
3. Size
Fortem Chair Cushion Memory
Fortems Chair Cushion Memory is a great option if youre looking for a contoured pillow that can be used both as a neck pillow and a lumbar support. Its made with high-quality memory foam that conforms to the shape of your body for maximum comfort, and it also has a removable cover for easy cleaning.
The cover is made from bamboo fabric which is very soft and helps to keep you cool at night while you sleep. The shredded memory foam inside can be customized to your preferred level of firmness, and it also comes with CertiPUR certification so you can be sure that there are no harmful chemicals used in its construction.
Pros
- Memory foam conforms to the shape of your body for maximum comfort
- Removable cover is made from very soft bamboo fabric which keeps you cool at night
- High-quality memory foam can be customized according to personal preference
Cons
- Some users find it too firm for their liking or not supportive enough for their lumbar region
What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow For Neck Pain
Most people dont give much thought to their pillow, beyond choosing a pillow thats nice and squishy for immediate comfort. This means that when we do realize our pillow may be contributing to our neck pain, we may not know how to go about choosing the best pillow. If youre in this position, you may be susceptible to misleading marketing and end up choosing a pillow thats ill-suited for your needs.
To help you get started, weve made a list of the most important factors. Focusing on these factors and having a basic understanding of pillow features and construction can help you find the pillow that works best for you.
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Do You Have A Preference For The Fill Of The Pillow
Some individuals have allergies which prevent using materials like foam, fiber, latex or even buckwheat hulls. Many find feather pillows comfortable, yet they may not supportive for the cervical spine. The solution for this is the feather neck pillow, which incorporates a memory foam neck support, thereby allowing the benefits of a feather pillow, while permitting proper neck support. Buckwheat pillows are natural and we have organic buckwheat pillows for neck pain that are comfortable and environmentally friendly. Buckwheat pillows allow for adjustments and a custom fit, therefore, it is important to have a pillowcase with a zipper to allow for removal or adding of hulls.
Water filled pillows are very comfortable and react to changing positions automatically making them very good pillows. They can also be customized for level of fill. These tend to be heavy pillows. While some prefer a pillow that will stay in place, others do not want to deal with a heavy pillow and having to adjust the level of water. A great solution is the inflatable pillow. You get the same reactive adjustment which automatically changes as you change positions, and it is lightweight, easy to fill and is adjustable for the height as well as firmness and shape. It is a great choice in pillows for neck pain, especially for those having troubles finding the right one due to its superior comfort, action and adjustable properties.
What Is Neck Pain
- Muscle spasms
- Poor sleep quality
If you have severe pain or additional symptoms, or if youre not sure whats causing your neck pain, its a good idea to visit a doctor to rule out underlying conditions.
Regular exercise and a healthy body weight are thought to have a positive impact on chronic neck pain. The American Chiropractic Association notes that neck pain often goes hand-in-hand with high stress levels and obesity.
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Tempur Neck Pillow Best For Neck Arthritis
TEMPUR-neck pillow extra firm viewat Tempurpedic
- Filling Tempur high-density foam
- Cover Polyester Knit Hypoallergenic cover
- Size 4 sizes
- Warranty 5 years
The TEMPURPEDIC neck pillow is designed to follow the natural curve of your body and keeps the neck aligned for back and side sleepers all night without any more bells and whistles. This neck alignment is very important for preventing neck arthritis pain at night.
The extra firm contoured TEMPUR material keeps your neck from sinking into the pillow, and the 3 sizes you can choose from make it fit for all body types and sleep positions.
Size and neck height:
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow pros
- Durable and firm doesnt lose shape over the years, supports and aligns the neck well
- Good customer service, established brand
- Comfortable the softcover balances out the firm material
Price $119 at Tempurpedic, or check the price
Cons
- Cover 100% Polyester Blend Cover
- Size 17 x 15 x 5 inches
- Warranty 111 nights trial
The Cradle Me cervical contour pillow is made with high-quality and odorless memory foam that stays firm no matter how long you use it.
The versatile butterfly design cradles your head and supports any sleep position , with multiple heights you can choose from while supporting the natural neck curvature.
Patent-pending butterfly design
We love the fact that this pillow is made in the US, and the company has great customer service. We also
- Fits all sleep positions, except stomach sleeping
Cons
Best Pillows For Neck Pain Top 10 Picks
- Best Pillow for Combo Sleepers with Neck Pain Saatva Pillow
- Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain DreamCloud Best Rest Memory Foam Pillow
- Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain Casper Pillow
- Best Soft Pillow for Neck Pain Purple Harmony Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain TEMPUR Cloud
- Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain Nolah AirFiber Pillow
- Best Organic Pillow for Neck Pain Avocado Pillow
- Best Down Pillow for Neck Pain Brooklinen Pillow
- Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain Layla Pillow
- Best Pillow for Pressure Relief and Neck Pain Bear Pillow
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Top 10 Best Pillow For Neck Herniated Disc In 2022
With an increasing number of options on the market, its becoming harder to sort through the noise and find the best Pillow For Neck Herniated Disc that suits your particular needs.
Thats why were here to assist you in picking the best Pillow For Neck Herniated Disc . We have gone through the difficult process of evaluating every product in detail to find the best one. Whether youre buying for the first time or looking for an upgrade. Brace yourself for everything you need to know about buying the best product available.
So Without further ado, lets jump right in!
Here is our Top 10 Recommendations!
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Do You Have Disc Issues Herniation Bulging Or Disc Tear
Sometimes called aslipped disc, disc problems can be painful and produce a pinched nerve in the neck with symptoms such as pain, weakness and numbness and/or tingling in the arm and/or hand. It can also cause neck and shoulder pain or just neck pain. Significant disc problems can result in a great deal of discomfort regardless of a pillow. However, there are some factors that can help in choosing a good pillow for disc problems.
With a pinched nerve that results in pain and muscles spasm, you may find more relief with your head tilted to one side. In fact, patients will often present with a head tilting to one side called an antalgic posture. This is because leaning to one side can help take pressure off the nerve. When sleeping on your back, it is easy to tilt your head, however, those who prefer side sleeping, this can be a real problem. To solve this, you can place a towel under the pillow on one side, or many buckwheat pillows will allow easy adjustment of the height on one side. The neck pain pillow is designed with this purpose and is the most adjustable for a pinched nerve.
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Zoey Sleep Side Sleeper Pillow
ZOEY is the manufacturer of one of the most famous and popular cervical spine pillows. It is struggling a lot in giving you a quality life with quality sleeping. The brand is producing highly adjustable pillows for patients with cervical herniated discs. It not only reduces neck pain but also reduces back pain.
How Should I Sleep To Avoid Neck Pain
Louw discourages people from sleeping on their stomach. “It puts you in a no-win situation,” she said. “You’re going to have to turn your head to the right or left, closing off one of those sides.” This leads to inflammation, stiffness, and pain of the synovial joints in the neck.
Louw says the key is to keep your spine aligned when you sleep, which is achievable when sleeping on your back or side with the right pillow.
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Are You Particularly Large Or Small
Pillows come in many sizes to fit any size. Some come in just one size and most will fit into this category. The average height for a pillow is about 4 inches and this will fit most average size adults. Some pillows offer 2 size heights in one pillow . The material, being a soft chemical free memory foam, will have an effective height of 3 and 4 inches. Some pillows for neck pain come in different sizes that are measure by body height or neck to shoulder length, like the popular side sleeping pillow, which is great for those who are side sleepers or have neck and shoulder pain. The therapeutic functional pillow comes in different sizes from child to extra large adult. The inflatable pillow is one that can be adjusted for height and is great for all size individuals.
Do You Suffer From Loss Of The Normal Neck Curve
The normal neck has a gentle C-shaped curve which allows for strength and proper muscle function. Loss of this normal curve is a common problem. It can indicate muscle spasm and/ or biomechanical problems. This condition, where the spine becomes straight is often termed cervical hypolordosis, military neck or a reversal of the curve cervical kyphosis. Mostly any of the pillows for neck pain will have support for the normal curve by using contours under the neck. A pillow like the therapeutic pillow is very good as part of a program to restore the proper cervical curve. Additionally, neck rolls can help in this process along with certain traction pillows designed for this purpose which are not for sleeping. Posture modification, ergonomics and restorative neck exercises are also a vital components in combination with orthopedically designed pillows for neck pain in restoring the proper curve of the neck.
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What Pillows Will Reduce Neck Pain
Both of the physical therapists I talked to, Karena Wu, PT, DPT, owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and Mumbai, and Colleen Louw, PT, a therapeutic pain specialist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, recommended cervical neck pillows.
These pillows take a variety of forms, but Wu and Louw recommended pillows that have a lower loft in the middle and larger bumps along each length. The Tempur-Pedic Neck was the only pillow of this style that I tested, and I found it didn’t fit the curvature of my neck right. Wu mentioned having a similar problem. “I had the Tempur-Pedic pillow, and it was too small for me,” she said.
For future updates to this guide, we hope to test more cervical pillows to find one we can recommend.
Wu and Louw also liked the MyPillow because you can adjust it to fit the contours of your head and neck region. However, in our testing, we found there were better options that are more easily moldable and adjustable.
The bottom line is you need to find a pillow no matter the style that fits the contours of your head, neck, and shoulders to provide comfortable support throughout the night. This is why adjustability and a good return policy are important.
Natures Guest Adjustable Contour Pillow
If youre looking for a contoured pillow that can be easily adjusted to your desired level of firmness, the Natures Guest Adjustable Contour Pillow for Sleeping is definitely a good option to consider. It comes with a removable cover made from bamboo fabric which is very soft and helps to keep you cool while you sleep, and the shredded memory foam inside can be customized to your preferred level of firmness.
The contoured design supports the natural curve of the neck and helps to keep the spine aligned properly for minimal pressure on any pinched nerves. Plus, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can always return it if it doesnt work well for you.
Pros
- Easily adjustable to your desired level of firmness
- Comes with a removable cover made from bamboo fabric which is very soft and helps to keep you cool while you sleep
- Contoured design supports the natural curve of the neck and helps to keep the spine aligned properly
Cons
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Best Pillow For Stomach Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros: The low loft is great for stomach sleepers, easy-to-clean cover, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not recommended for side or back sleepers, short trial, you can’t adjust the loft
At 2.5 inches, the Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow offers the lowest loft of the pillows we tested, making it ideal for stomach sleepers. While you can’t adjust the loft, the gel memory foam is pliable enough to fold in half to get extra lift if you occasionally shift to your side.
Insider Reviews senior reporter Owen Burke suffers from neck pain and has tested several thin pillows designed for stomach sleepers but was never impressed by them. At times, he’d even give up and rest his head on his shoulder without a pillow.
Right away, Burke appreciated the Belly Sleeper’s ability to gently adapt to the curvature of his head and neck. He also found the machine-washable cover was particularly soothing under his usual pillowcase. “Overall, I’m sleeping far better, longer, and much more comfortably than any other time in recent memory,” he said.
I also tested the Belly Sleep pillow. I found it comfortable enough when falling asleep on my stomach, but when I wanted to shift to my preferred side-sleeping position, it did not provide enough loft. When I folded the pillow, it just felt too awkward. You may want to choose a different pillow if you don’t primarily sleep on your stomach.
What Pillow Materials Are Best For Neck Pain
The best pillow for neck and shoulder pain is firm enough to hold your head at a healthy angle, but soft enough to alleviate pressure points. Most sleepers find success with either a memory foam, latex, buckwheat, or feather pillow, as these materials offer the best balance of support and pressure relief.
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How To Choose A Pillow If You Have Neck Pain
If neck pain keeps you up at night, you might want to consider swapping your pillow for one thats the right height. In the pillow world, height is usually described as loft.
The right amount of loft depends a lot on your preferred sleeping position. Stomach sleepers, for example, should opt for a pillow with a lower loft. Essentially, you want a pillow that will keep your spine in alignment without putting too much pressure on your neck.
You might also want to look for a pillow made of supportive foam or latex rather than down or down alternative.
Shape may also be a consideration. Cervical or ergonomic pillows are designed to provide support specifically for the neck and head, for instance.
Pillows can be made from a range of materials, including latex, polyester, cotton, and more. A
