Other Remedies You Can Try
There may be more to your neck pain than your pillow and sleep position. Here are some other things you can do besides finding the perfect pillow to treat your neck pain :
- Massageâ massage in the area of pain can be especially effective at providing relief when done by a professional
- Go to a Chiropractorâ Chiropractors are a great resource for pain sufferers. They can help you identify issues with your sleeping position and perform an in-depth evaluation of your pain areas and offer ideas to treat them
- Over-the-counter pain reliefâ for times when your pain is at its worst, over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be a great help
- Try adding more movement to your day-to-day routine â many neck exercises will reduce inflammation in your neck. Working these exercises into your daily routine may reduce neck pain over time
- Try Inversionâ inversion tables can offer great relief for your entire spine by taking up to 250% of the strain off your vertebrae depending on the angle of inversion. While some dispute its claimed benefits, most agree it can help with back and neck pain.
Zamat Contour Memory Foam Pillow
BEST MEMORY FOAM PILLOW
Amazon
The ZAMAT Memory Foam pillow is an option for those looking for a pillow with an adjustable loft, but who may sleep in a variety of positions on a given night. Whatever position you end up, your neck and head will be cradled and supported all night long thanks to the pillows innovative contour. The pillow itself is made with a high-quality, breathable, odorless memory foam, so it keeps you cool while guarding against that pungent odor that occasionally plagues memory foam.
How Do I Choose A Pillow For Neck Pain
Those experiencing chronic neck pain should always seek the advice of a medical professional to rule out anything serious. If itâs determined that the culprit is the pillow â itâs an easy fix!First, pick a pillow that suits the primary sleep position . Generally speaking, stomach sleepers need the softest/flattest pillows while side sleepers need the most loft and support.Aim to get the body into neutral head, neck and spine alignment, allowing the natural curves of the body to lay as they should with support but no additional strain. This may take a few tries with different pillows and even some conversations about the right mattress but, over time, finding the best sleeping position and the best pillow to match will be worth it.
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Best Water Pillow: Mediflow Water Pillow
The Water Pillow by Mediflow combines pillow fiber with a supportive layer of water. The Mediflow website states that this water-based technology improves a persons sleep quality by reducing neck pain.
Back and side sleepers can adjust The Water Pillow to suit their needs by adding or removing water from the membrane.
This technology may also help reduce the need to readjust the pillow during use, as the water inside the pillow instantly adjusts to the heads movements.
The original Water Pillow uses hypoallergenic fibers. The company also offers pillows using either down or memory foam layers for different levels of comfort.
The Mediflow Fiber Water Pillow is available to purchase online and is available in only one size:
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Why You Should Trust Us
I am a frequent flyer who often takes red-eyes from coast to coastI now live in Brooklyn but fly home to San Francisco to visit my parents. Im also an insomniac, so falling asleep on planes has never been easy for me. While writing this article, I tested eight travel pillows on two five-hour flights and slept with our four picks on two more cross-country flights. I also spoke with Rebecca Robbins, a postdoctoral fellow at the NYU Center for Healthful Behavior Change, to see what she looks for in a travel pillow.
In addition, my Wirecutter colleagues as a whole are an exceptionally mobile group. Weve worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica, so I asked some folks on staff which pillows they like and use regularly.
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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 Travel Pillow Overall: Cabeau Evolution S3
The Cabeau Evolution S3 updates the standard U-shaped travel pillow design with raised sides that gently cradled our head and neck when we used it. The S3s flat back also rested relatively flush against our seat, preventing our head from uncomfortably jutting forward, while an adjustable front clasp let us slightly tighten or loosen the neck opening to our liking, which makes it possible to tailor the pillow to travelers of different sizes.
We found that the S3 works best when leaning your head to the side or as a cushion against a solid surface, but it still offered decent chin support. Its two built-in straps attached to nearly any seatback we tested on, keeping the pillow in place and helping to lessen whiplash during sudden stops or turbulence.
The S3s memory foam manages to be soft, springy and supportive all at once its firm enough that it kept our head from slouching too far to the side but not so firm that it dug into our cheeks and ears . Of course, memory foam, however cushy, is never going to be the lightest or most breathable material around. And while we didnt overheat while using the Cabeau, it also wasnt the coolest pillow we tested.
The S3s carrying case, in turn, is another major upgrade from the original Evolution pillow and was far and away our favorite case of the bunch. It clips directly to your luggage and is made from ripstop fabric thatll keep your pillow clean and protected until youre ready to use it.
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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.
Tempur Original Large Pillow: Best Memory Foam Pillow For Neck Pain
Price: £105 | Buy now from Tempur
Contoured memory foam is the pillow type of choice for people seeking relief from neck pain, and Tempur is the king of memory foam pillows. This classic robust pillow is pricey, but it’s a superb investment if you want to sleep better and wake in comfort.
The raised section supports your neck and helps your head, neck and shoulder muscles to fully relax in their natural posture while you sleep. The Large size is 11.5cm at its highest, which is not actually that high, so while it’s perfect for back sleepers you may need a bit of extra height to accommodate your shoulder if you’re a side sleeper. Luckily the Tempur Original also comes in X Large with 13cm of support, which is ideal for side sleepers. However it’s also worth noting that the pillow will compress and firm up over your first few nights of sleep.
Key specs Filling: Memory foam Cover: 100% cotton cover Sizes: Large is 61cm x 31cm also available in Medium and X Large
Price: £39 |
Memory foam is great for providing neck support, but it can feel rather clammy in warm weather. So pillow specialist BedStory has found a solution: infuse memory foam with cooling gel to regulate temperature, disperse heat and allow the air to move around. The result is a wonderfully supportive pillow that responds to your body’s temperature to help you drift off and wake up in comfort.
Key specs Filling: Memory foam Cover: Microfibre and tencel Sizes: 1
Price: £65 | Buy now from Rested
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How To Reduce Neck Strain At Night
The way you sleep may not be the only cause of neck pain during the day. Poor posture from sitting at a computer or a number of other injuries can exacerbate the problem. Neck pain is so common that about one in three people experience it at least once a year, according to the National Institutes of Health. The good news is you can help mitigate and prevent some strain by making sure your pillow provides you with the appropriate support. .
According to Michael Breus, Ph.D., known as the Sleep Doctor and a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, your pillow thickness should keep your head, neck, and shoulders all aligned with your spine. For instance, side sleepers will need higher pillows to better fill the gap between shoulders and head, stomach sleepers need thinner pillows to not cause strain from the head tilting backwards, and back sleepers typically benefit from somewhere in between. If you have neck pain and sleep on your back, look for a pillow that provides additional support while maintaining the softness thats comfortable for you, recommends Dr. Breus.
While any of the best pillows might work to keep your spine aligned, there are also some specialty pillows made specifically to support the neck, especially for those who chronically struggle with neck pain. Sometimes known as contour pillows or cervical pillows, they might have built-in contours or gaps to conform to your head shape while still supporting the neck.
Best For Neck Support: Ostrich Pillow Go
Why We Love It: It uses extra-firm memory foam, which adds more comfort, support, and durability than the average neck pillow.
What to Consider: It’s bulky.
The Ostrich Pillow Go is a popular option on Amazon because it offers ample neck support. The ergonomically designed pillow boasts a customizable fit and two different heights, so you can easily find a comfortable sleeping position. The pillow’s cover is ultra-soft against the skin and is removable and machine-washable. What’s more, the travel accessory can compress by 60 percent to fit inside its corresponding travel bag, making it super easy to pack.
Price at time of publish: $60
Weight: 14.8 ounces | Care: Removable sleeve is machine washable, memory foam may be spot cleaned
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Why Trust Good Housekeeping
Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products. Lexie joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested all types of beddingâincluding mattresses, sheets, pillows, comforters and more â using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of testers.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this article, author Richelle Szypulski compiled the top picks of travel pillows from editors at T+L, who have logged thousands of miles for business and pleasure on the go from planes to trains to road trips. She made sure to include an option for every type of seat sleeper to make sure you’re comfortable no matter where you’re headed.
Love a great deal? and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.
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Best For All Sleeping Positions: Pillowise
Pillowise offers a supportive pillow that it claims helps align the cervical spine during sleep time. The pillow is available in its standard length and a travel size alternative.
The company offers five different pillow sizes, and it advises that before purchasing a pillow, customers measure their:
- neck circumference
What Is Shoulder Pain
Shoulder is the shorthand term for the ball-and-socket joint that allows both of your arms to move freely. Recent statistics indicate that roughly 15 out of every 1,000 medical patients sees a physician about shoulder pain, and some studies suggest 70 percent of adults will experience shoulder pain at least once during their lifetime.
The shoulder joint consists of three bones: the clavicle , scapula , and humerus . According to the Mayo Clinic, shoulder pain can also develop from a wide range of injuries and medical conditions. These include the following:
- Broken arm or collarbone
- Bursitis
- Heart attack
If you experience other symptoms along with the shoulder pain, such as shortness of breath or an uncomfortable tightening sensation in the chest, you should call 911 immediately these could be signs of a more serious condition. Sudden pain, swelling, warmth, and/or loss of movement may necessitate a visit to the emergency room or your physicians office.
The Cleveland Clinic also notes several treatment methods for ongoing shoulder pain. Less invasive options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or injections, or simply resting until the pain subsides. You may need to undergo certain medical procedures if the pain persists or worsens over time. Surgical treatments for shoulder pain include arthroscopy, open shoulder surgery, shoulder resurfacing, and replacement.
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Can A Pillow Cause Neck Pain
In a word, yes. For instance, Wu pointed out that if a pillow has too much loft, your head will bend forward too much when sleeping on your back, overstretching the back of your neck. If there’s too little loft, your head tilts back and overstretches the front of your neck.
The key is to find a pillow that keeps your head in a neutral position. The best way to know if a pillow will keep your spine aligned and in a neutral position is to sleep on it. That’s why Wu recommends choosing pillows with long trial periods.
Buying Guide For Best Cervical Pillows
The wrong pillow can be a real pain in the neck, and even more so if you suffer from health issues like arthritis or cervical degenerative disk disease. But even without an underlying condition, poor sleeping posture can lead to neck strain, aching muscles, and pounding headaches definitely not the best start to anyoneâs day.
Cervical pillows are specially designed to keep your cervical spine in proper alignment while you sleep, so you wake up feeling rested, refreshed, and pain-free. If youâre ready to ditch your dumpy old pillow in favour of something more supportive, a cervical pillow is a sound choice. But with hundreds of options on the market, finding the perfect shape, size, and texture can be a challenge.
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What Types Of Pillows Are There
Pillows are constructed with a variety of materials. Understanding what these materials are and how they generally perform will help you determine which pillows best fit your needs.
Pillow covers also come in a variety of materials. Most pillow covers are made of cotton, polyester, or a cotton-poly blend. Some are made of other materials, such as bamboo-derived fabric or satin.
Cotton covers tend to be more breathable than polyester. Different cover materials feel different to the touch, but the feel is less important since most customers use pillow cases over their pillows.
Top Pick: Quick Summary
The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Orthopedic Sleeping Pillow is my top choice in the best pillow for neck arthritis review.
For those of you who dont like to read lengthy reviews I will give you the short version first. For those of you like me that want the full meal deal review read beyond this paragraph.
Getting down quickly to the details this great pillow will work for side, back and stomach sleepers.
EPABO is made of memory foam and cradles your head while providing the proper alignment of your spine. They provide a 30-day 100% worry free guarantee and will offer a full refund.
This provides you with a no risk opportunity to see if this pillow will work best for you.
For those looking for the quick answer you have it, hit the link below and you will be satisfied. Keep reading to get the full review of the best pillow for neck arthritis.
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Other Good Travel Pillows
If youre a back sleeper who can fall sleep sitting upright in your seat, facing forward, and not need to curl up or lean your head on the airplane window: You may want to try the Commuter Travel Pillow, which is a U-shaped neck cushion, padded with memory foam, that looks like the back half of a cervical collar. When testing it, we slept surprisingly well, but it wont suit all sleep styles. The BR2 is also not machine-washable, and it is pricy.
If you have a shorter neck and tend to run hot on planes and would prefer a pillow designed to keep you cool: Consider the ventilated Cabeau Evolution Coolthe combination of a silky polyester cover and vented design did feel mildly cooler against our necks. And we liked the pillows silky feel, packable size, zippered carrying case. But it was significantly smaller than the standard Cabeau Evolution and the Travelrest Ultimate, and it left the chins of long-necked testers totally unsupported. Its also much more expensiveabout double the price of the Travelrest at the time of testing.
If you always lean to the same side when sleeping: Consider Travelrests All-in-One, which has a novel across-the-shoulder design that could be comfortable in such a situation. It has a similar fabric to the companys winning Ultimate Memory Foam Neck Pillow, but in our tests its bulky inflated tube offered no structured head support, which could pose a problem in bumpy conditions.
