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 canât 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 canât 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, heâd even give up and rest his head on his shoulder without a pillow.
Right away, Burke appreciated the Belly Sleeperâs 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. âOverall, Iâm sleeping far better, longer, and much more comfortably than any other time in recent memory,â 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 donât primarily sleep on your stomach.
Best Positions For Sleep With A Herniated Disc
Its possible that even poor sleeping positions can cause your back pain. Fortunately, there are a number of sleeping positions that can improve or even eliminate your back pain and significantly improve your sleep quality. In order to help you with your back pain, here are five of the best sleeping positions for a herniated disc.
- Sleeping On Your Back. It is a good idea to lie on your back as much as possible since doing so will keep your spine and neck aligned, reduce pressure points, and distribute your weight more evenly. To provide some extra support under your knees, you may place a pillow under them. As a result, you will be able to maintain your spines natural curve.
- Sleeping On Your Side with a Knee Pillow. Sleeping on your side is likely to be a habit for you. Its unfortunate that this sleeping position will result in your spine being out of place and strain your back. There is an easy fix for this problem. To get back into alignment, all you need to do is place a pillow between your knees to lift your upper leg.
- Sleeping In Fetal Position. The best position to be in if you have a herniated disc is to lie in the fetal position. By tucking your knees into your chest when you are lying on your side, you can reduce spinal bending and open up your joints. Make sure the head and neck are supported with a pillow when you lie in the fetal position.
What Is The Best Cervical Pillow
The Therapeutica Cervical pillow is the best cervical pillow for neck pain. It positions your head and neck perfectly, both when sleeping on the side and on your back. The wedge extension supports your upper back like no other pillow, its comfortable and comes with a 5-year warranty for losing shape. Its the winner!
The runner-up is the popular Tempur-Neck pillow.
Note: If you want to take neck pain relief up a notch, we recommend buying a high-quality neck heating pad to relieve your pain naturally during the day.
More Ways to Relieve Neck Pain At Home
Heres how to do neck traction at home.
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Alwyn Memory Foam Contour Pillow
The Outside: The Alwyn Memory Foam Contour pillow has a popular, flat design that is best for stomach and some back sleepers. Without as much support, the center area sinks well below the edges to cradle the head. This type of design is sought after when it comes to cervical pillows, but is really best when it comes to those that need much less support. The external cover is made of polyester so it stays dry throughout the night.
The Insides: The inside of the pillow is made of a contoured piece of memory foam that has a medium firmness feel, while not sleeping warm. It is flatter than other options so provides less support.
What Customers Say: Customers like these pillows overall, but many prefer the other designs mentioned above. These pillows are best suited for those with less support needs.
The Rating : 9.2 / 10
Cervical Pillows Can Help Relieve Neck Pain
Cervical pillows are specially constructed to provide neck support and keep your spine in proper alignment while youre asleep. A cervical pillow conforms to your bodys structure. Its higher where your neck is and more compressed where your head lies. Just like having an ergonomic chair when youre working on your computer at your desk, your pillow should work ergonomically to support your neck. Cervical pillows come in different shapes and materials.
If youre transitioning from a regular pillow to a cervical pillow, you may find the cervical pillow feels strange at first. Using it for short periods during the day when youre in a recliner or taking a short rest can make the transition easier.
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Organic Cotton Mattress Cover
The bed is totally wrapped in a non-removable, natural cotton cover which is antimicrobial also. The covering is rather soft and offers an appearance that looks as good as it feels. If you happen to spill a cup of coffee or drop a midnight snack, you will simply need to spot clean it with water and moderate cleaning agent.
Best Overall Pillow For Neck Pain
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Materials Of The Pillow For Neck Herniated Disc
We advise not to buy products from brands that dont specify the materials they use unless were sure the product is made with good quality materials. Its important to be confident about a purchase before you make one, so when the materials used arent clearly specified, it makes us doubt the products quality.
Its imperative to consider what material will work best for your requirements before you make an investment since you could find yourself wasting your money.
What To Look For In A Neck Pillow
In general, I recommend that one keeps their neck in the midline, neutralnot tilted up or down, Marko says. When you are on your back, you want a pillow that takes up space behind your neck dont leave it hollow there.
When you are on your side, you need the pillow to be thick enough to fill up space from your shoulder to your head so you keep your head in the midline: not tilted up or down, she says.
If you sleep on too flat of a pillow, your head will tilt down, and with too big of a pillow, your head will tilt up.
I find that using two down pillows is perfect for me because the bottom one provides support and the top one I can mold to fit in the nooks and crannies of my neck when Im sleeping, no matter what position I am in, Marko says.
Thats not for everyone some people like just one pillow. If thats the case, then I might recommend a foam pillow or just a down pillow that is down medium support.
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Best Down Alternative: Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow
This pillows fill is a mix of gel-infused memory foam and microfiber. The company writes that it is a supportive alternative to down fill and may be suitable for people who are allergic to down or lead a vegan lifestyle.
A purchase comes with extra filling so a person can add or remove as much as they like to create a height that suits their needs.
Additionally, the pillow features a 100% polyester lining and a breathable pillowcase made from a blend of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon.
Its memory foam holds CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certifications.
According to the company, this pillow is hypoallergenic and the cover is washable.
The pros and cons a person can consider include:
Pros:
Do You Prefer Firm Or Soft Pillows
Some individuals have a preference for either a firm or soft pillow. In general, a softer pillow will provide better relief from pain. Firmer pillows will help to restore the curve of the neck better. Pillows vary in firmness levels. Even memory foam pillows can be firm depending on the density and if it is an open or closed cell foam. Firmness can also be subjective, with some thinking a pillow is firm, while others feeling the same pillow is soft. In general, our memory foam pillows are soft, along with the inflatable and water pillows. The neck pillow tends to be firm along with buckwheat pillows, however, the egg crate pillow is one of the best firm pillow options.
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Best For Travel: K Ka Ua Cervical Bolster Pillow
If you travel often, this ergonomic pillow roll is a great option for keeping your neck pain-free no matter where you are. The firm 4-inch bolster pillow offers optimal support whether you opt to use it for your head and neck or in between your legs for relief from back pain. Made with comfy memory foam and a breathable bamboo-polyester cover, it can fit easily into carry-on bags. One reviewer shopper raved that after trying this pillow, their “neck pain has reduced immensely” Another said: “I’m a back sleeper and up until recently, have been experiencing a lot of pain. After buying this pillow I’m finding myself waking up fully refreshed. It has great neck support that molds to fit your body. I’m very satisfied.”
When To Replace Your Pillow
Once youve found the perfect pillow, it can be tempting to check cure neck pain off your list and move on. But replacing a pillow that no longer supports you is a key factor in the fight against neck pain!
Thats why I recommend checking in with your pillow every 6-8 months. If you notice that its gone flat, feels lumpy, or is no longer maintaining its shape throughout the night, theres a good chance it needs to be replaced.
Of course, some pillows filled with soft, compressible materials need to be frequently fluffed in order to maintain integrity. So if you see that your brand new down pillow has lost its loft, dont throw it away just yet! Instead, give it some enlivening fluffs to bring it back to life.
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The Worst Sleeping Position For Herniated Discs
Stomach sleeping is considered to be one of the worst sleeping position for spine health, as it strains the muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae of the neck. Additionally, sleeping on your stomach could cause a deeper arch in your low back, causing more pain. As a result of stomach-sleeping altering the spines natural curve, patients need to avoid sleeping on their stomachs as much as possible. Consider placing a pillow under your hips if you must sleep on your stomach. Adding another pillow between your knees will also be beneficial. Your back will stay in a natural position when you make these sleeping adjustments.
The pillow should provide you with a comfortable height between your head and your bed surface when you lie on your side. As a general rule, your pillow should be four to six inches above the surface of your bed when you are lying on your side. It may be helpful to relieve neck pain by lying on your side. Nevertheless, an inappropriately sized or shaped pillow can significantly increase neck strain.
Best Cervical Pillows For Herniated Disc 2022
Cervical pillows are specially designed to reduce neck strain and maintain the balance between the sleepers head, neck, and shoulders. Best Cervical Pillows For Herniated Disc helps cradle the neck but it can also support your Back ,Knee and other joints
Its a task that you cant expect your regular pillow to perform, and that is why patients with neck pain are prescribed cervical pillows.
If you havent been prescribed a cervical pillow but you are experiencing neck pain or restlessness in sleep, or if you feel tired even after hours of sleep, maybe you can try using a cervical pillow to solve your sleeping problems.
How to Get the Right Cervical Pillow
There are several brands that market cervical pillows and most of them will claim that theirs are the best cervical pillows. However, since everyones sleeping position preferences are different , finding the best cervical pillow is all about finding one that suits your needs and provides you with a comfortable sleep.
The first and most important tip to get the right cervical pillow is that the brand youre buying from is selling more than one type of the pillow. Its also important to get knowledge from the supplier regarding your particular situation so that they can suggest which product of theirs will suit you.
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Neck Pain Pillow Uses Adjustable Therapeutic Fiber & Orthopedic Sections To Provide Therapy Comfort Zones
The neck pain pillow uses a combination of orthopedic variations with a 4 way design and high quality materials, with an adjustable level of support that you can customize to your specific needs and comfort level. You can achieve optimal ergonomic support and comfort with separate back and side sleeping sections in one pillow.
Double zipper allows complete access to adjust pillow to your preferred firmness of both the neck roll cushion and side sleeping sections. Measures: 24 x 16 x 5. Adjusts from medium to soft in firmness and your personal loft preference.
Great cotton fabric for cover, with silk gusset trim and superior microfiber filling providing better comfort and air flow for a more restful sleep. Hypoallergenic materials without harsh chemical odors.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros: Machine-washable cover, precise adjustability, comfortable for all types of sleepers, particularly side sleepers
Cons: Removing the fill can get messy, home-trial period is relatively short
The Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow and our top pick were the only two pillows in our tests deemed comfortable by multiple testers with neck pain. Your neck and shoulder stay supported thanks to the Eli & Elm pillow’s U shape. Amelia Jerden, a staff writer for Sleepopolis, recommends this pillow for neck pain sufferers with shoulder pain because of its unique shape.
The Eli & Elm pillow is filled with latex and polyester that you can remove to customize the feel. We suggest taking out a little fill at a time to avoid a mess. Despite its shape, the pillow fits a standard pillowcase, but you can also purchase it with a case that fits it precisely. I didn’t notice a difference in comfort when using the Eli & Elm case versus a standard pillowcase.
I slept better on my first night with the pillow than I had in months. I didn’t remove any loft because it was ideal for my side-sleeping needs. I had no neck soreness while testing the Eli & Elm pillow.
Once I was done testing, my wife took the pillow, and she preferred it because the U shape kept her from shifting to an uncomfortable position at night. She sleeps on her side a little bit but mostly likes her back.
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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 didnât fit the curvature of my neck right. Wu mentioned having a similar problem. âI had the Tempur-Pedic pillow, and it was too small for me,â 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.
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.
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