Which Shape Is Best For My Sleeping Position
The right pillow shape for you will largely depend on personal preference, but you might consider paying attention to your doctors medical advice based on your sleeping position. Alleviating neck pain often has much to do with maintaining proper spine alignment, which may be more difficult for stomach sleepers.
Many pillows are made to accommodate a variety of sleep positions, so whether you prefer sleeping on your back or are among the side sleepers, the needed support for your neck is similar. For stomach sleepers, there are still options that may help, though training yourself to sleep on your side may be more helpful for neck pain in the long run.
Learn More: How To Properly Sleep On Your Side
Keep in mind that while some options will include more mobility than others to combat neck stiffness, others will keep you more rigid. Your choice is up to preference and preferably advice from a medical professional.
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 Pillows For Neck Pain Really Help
Finding the best pillows for neck pain can be a daunting task. There are so many pillows to choose and everyone is different. How do you know which is the best? What is the right pillow for me?
Issues involving neck pain are usually caused by many factors. Typically, there is neck stiffness and perhaps tingling or numbness of the hand. There may be degenerative arthritis in the neck or pain may result from a disc problem. These conditions can make it difficult to find the best pillow to help with neck pain, resulting in sleeping difficulty. If you are looking to buy a new pillow and are confused with all the options, here are some tips which can help with your decision.
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Simply Sova Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Sold mainly on Amazon
Best Value Runner Up
- A slightly less expensive alternative to the Coop Home Goods pillow, the Simply Sova Pillow offers an adjustable loft but is limited to two levels of adjustment due to the two removable layers
- The plus is no foam mess and consistent firmness across the entire pillow
- Great for all sleeping positions
- Breathable hypoallergenic materials and design
- Great value and frequently discounted
Amazon Review Quote:
Best for Petite Side Sleepers
- Eco-friendly Bio Pur memory foam minimizes heat trapping
- Relatively thin but firm makes it ideal for smaller or petite side sleepers
- Foam is open celled which cools better than closed cell foam pillow options
- Breathable cover
- Made in the USA
Verified Review Quote:“A good everyday pillow is really hard to come by. They are either too soft, or too hard — both cause some sort of neck pain. But this pillow is perfect! I love that it is responsive, so it adjusts to my sleeping needs and weight. Also, it stays cool, which is nice, as you don’t get overheated and feel uncomfortable.”
How Soft Should A Pillow Be
The best pillow should be soft enough to relieve pressure points, but firm enough to support the head and neck. Each sleep position may benefit from different levels of softness. Side sleepers and back sleepers usually prefer a medium to firm pillow to keep the head from dipping out of alignment. Stomach sleepers do well with a thin, soft pillow that limits neck strain. Body weight may also play a role, with sleepers under 130 pounds tending towards softer pillows. Beyond these general criteria, your own personal preference may influence which pillow you end up choosing.
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Do You Suffer From Cervical Spine Degeneration Or Neck Arthritis
Most often, an x-ray may show that you have arthritic changes that can often be related to neck pain. Medical terms for this condition refer to the location cervical spondylosis or disc degeneration in the front part of the bone and facet arthrosis in the back part. These may occur together and produce difficulty in finding comfortable pillows for neck pain.
It is important to find a comforting pillow that supports the neck, yet allows for the changes that have happened. A firm, hard pillow is usually not the best pillow to use. A pillow is not going to get rid of these changes and the neck functions a little differently than without these changes. Therefore, a pillow that is accommodating to the neck is a good choice. The memory foam contour pillow was designed for sensitive necks and for these type of degenerative conditions. If you need more variability in size, the inflatable or a water pillow is another one of the good pillows for neck pain from arthritis.
How To Choose The Right Pillow For Your Needs
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right pillow for your needs:
If you have neck pain, look for a pillow that is both responsive and supportive. A responsive pillow will conform to the shape of your head and provide pressure relief, while a supportive pillow will maintain its shape and provide support for your neck.
If you have shoulder pain, look for a soft and moldable pillow. A soft pillow will provide pressure relief for your shoulders, while a moldable pillow will allow you to adjust it to your desired position.
If you sleep on your side, look for a soft and supportive pillow while also being relatively high. A soft pillow will relieve your head and neck pressure, while a supportive pillow will prevent your head from shifting out of alignment.
If you sleep on your stomach, look for a thin and medium firmness pillow. A thin pillow will prevent your head from being pushed too far forward, while a medium firmness pillow will support you without causing muscle tenseness and pain in the neck or shoulders.
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Best Pillow For Acute And Minor Neck Pain
The Layla Kapok pillow is a great option if youre suffering from acute neck pain that is preventing you from getting a good nights sleep. It has a core made from shredded memory foam and fiber. This gives it a comfier, fluffier, and airier feel while providing neck support. The best part of this pillow is the flexibility it gives you in adjusting the loft of the pillow.
Instead of going through a trial and error process, you can change the amount of filling inside the shredded memory foam pillow to modify the height. Additionally, it has a buoyant response, which is helpful in mitigating neck pain for side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers alike.
What Is The Difference Between The Best Soft Pillow For Neck Pain And A Bad One
The difference between the best soft pillow for neck pain and a bad one is the value to its customer. The weight of a product includes how well it fulfills the customer’s needs, how much they enjoy using it, and how much they like having it in their lives.
A significant factor in whether or not someone will buy your product is if you can provide them with enough value that they want to keep coming back for more. Suppose you would like to learn more about what makes a good product. Read below!
1. The fundamental differences between a great product and a wrong product
1.1. Price
Often, people will purchase the best soft pillow for neck pain in 2021 for less than they should have because it is on sale. It is usually an impulse buy, and the buyer might not understand all of the consequences of this particular decision.
One problem is that products purchased cheaply are usually inferior to more expensive ones. When you buy something cheap, there’s no way to know what you’re getting yourself into without taking some time to research it first!
The other issue with more affordable products is that they break down faster than quality ones do.
It can cost twice as much money, in the long run, to fix or replace these items due to their shoddy artistry and design flaws.
The more expensive a product is authentic, the better it will be. It leads to some people buying products they can’t afford just because of their price point and others deciding not to buy anything at all.
1.2. Quality
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Can Replacing Your Pillow Improve Neck Pain
If youre experiencing neck pain, it could be the fault of your pillow. Especially if its old, it might not be supportive enough anymore.
Swapping for a new pillow doesnt mean your neck pain will magically go away, though. Pillow preference is personal, and what works for one person might not work for you. So a bit of experimenting is to be expected.
Additionally, not all neck pain is the fault of a bad pillow. If a new pillow doesnt seem to help, be sure to talk with your doctor.
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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What Are The Benefits Of A Firm Pillow
A firm pillow provides more support for the neck than a softer pillow, which may help to prevent pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. A firm pillow may also be less likely to collapse during the night, providing a consistent level of support.
Sleeping on a firm pillow may help to improve spinal alignment and prevent pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. However, a firm pillow can also be less comfortable than a softer pillow and may not provide as much pressure relief for the head and neck. As a result, it is essential to choose a pillow that is both comfortable and supportive.
A too firm pillow can be uncomfortable and may not provide enough pressure relief for the head and neck.
Best Pillow For Back Sleepers With Neck Pain
Neck pain sufferers who sleep on their back will appreciate the balance of softness and support afforded by the adjustable Brooklinen Marlow Pillow.
- Best for: Back and side sleepers
- Available sizes: Standard and king
- Fill: Memory foam and polyester fiber
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Pros: Comfortable for back and side sleepers, adjustable firmness/loft
Cons: Not ideal for stomach sleepers, not machine washable
When the Insider Reviews team is chatting about our favorite bedding, Brooklinen always comes up. The brand makes the top picks in our weighted blanket and down pillow guides. The shredded memory foam/polyester blend is another impressive product from Brooklinen.
I slept incredibly well on the pillow. It cradled my head, keeping it aligned with my spine, whether I was on my back or side. During the 10 nights I slept on it, I didn’t experience neck pain.
Though you can’t add or remove fill, it features a zipper system for making it more or less firm. If you want a softer feel with a higher loft, you simply unzip the zippers along the lengths of the pillow. Zip it up for a firm feel.
Unzipping the pillow reveals a mesh gusset that lends a level of breathability to the Marlow. I preferred the softer, cooler feel and added loft of the unzipped pillow.
The Marlow comes with the longest risk-free trial of any pillows we tested.
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Other Tips To Help Neck Pain After Switching Your Pillow
If youve changed your pillow but still arent finding relief, you can also try these tips:
- Modify your overall posture when standing or sitting. Find a neutral spine in these positions, with your shoulders hovering directly over your hips and your ears over your shoulders.
- Stretch your neck every 20 to 30 minutes when doing computer work, driving long distances, or doing other repetitive tasks that tax your neck. It may be helpful to set a reminder on your computer or phone to take breaks.
- Use a backpack or rolling suitcase when carrying heavy loads. Either evenly distribute the weight or wheel it around. Using a shoulder bag puts excess strain on your neck and shoulders.
- Use heat or ice to ease the pain by taking a warm shower or applying a hot or cold compress. This is especially effective in the first 2 to 3 days of an acute injury.
- diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer
Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice numbness or less strength in your arms or hands. Any shooting pain down your arm or around your shoulder is also important to note.
Seek immediate medical attention if your neck pain is severe or has resulted from an injury, like a car accident or fall.
Best Pillow For People Who Sleep On One Side
Different people have different sleeping positions and, as such, may require specialized pillows that suit their sleeping position. The Pillow Cube is a memory-foam pillow with a high loft that is one of the best pillows for people who sleep on their side. It has a characteristic square-shaped design that ensures that you can maintain a 90° angle between your shoulders and head when you sleep. This helps in relieving the undue pressure on your neck.
The Pillow Cube is made of breathable, naturally antibacterial, structurally hard carbon-core memory foam that is made to cradle your head while maintaining its shape. Its also covered in a cool, machine-washable cover. The company produces a cooling version of the pillow that, according to the brand, will let you sleep up to 10° cooler if you sleep unusually hot and need a little extra help controlling your body temperature.
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What Kind Of Pillow Do Chiropractors Recommend
The best pillow will vary from person to person. Chiropractors will recommend pillows based on a persons particular needs, taking into account their sleep preferences and any health conditions or injuries they have.
According to a , a visco-elastic polyurethane pillow could be useful in conjunction with chiropractic treatment to reduce neck pain.
Pillows And Neck Pain Summary
Overall, neck pain sufferers should make sure their pillow is a good match for their sleeping position and anatomy. Pillows come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials and you may need to experiment with different options through some trial and error. Adjustable loft pillows take some the risk away since you can fine-tune the height of the pillow to your liking – a feature we’ve come to love at StartSleeping. If you’re looking to learn more about sleep and the studies we’ve referenced in this guide, check them out here:
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What Is Pillow Loft
Pillow loft refers to the height, or thickness, of a pillow when it is resting on a flat surface. Low loft is typically defined as less than 3 inches, medium loft as between 3 and 5 inches, and high loft as more than 5 inches. When considering pillow loft, it helps to remember that most pillows compress when you lay on them. The ideal loft depends on several factors:
Why Is My Pillow Making My Neck Hurt
If your pillow doesn’t support your head and neck properly , it can create tension in your neck muscles which in turn causes neck pain. Research shows that a pillow with good neck support can help to relieve pain and improve posture – so they kind of do what they say on the tin. Its a no-brainer that help in all these areas means a better nights sleep, and who wouldnt want that? So, yes, neck pillows are good for you.
While you may not necessarily have any achy joints now, its always better to be safe than sorry. Youll thank yourself later for purchasing a pillow for neck pain instead of a standard pillow, and so will your future self’s corrected spine alignment. Think about it keeping everything in check now means that you wont need to further down the line. Theres nothing quite like resting your head down on a plush, fluffy pillow – but is it best for your body? If you wake up with any form of stiffness, chances are you need a pillow for neck pain. Technically it’s called a cervical pillow and provides cervical support for the nerves extending out from the spinal cord – talk about chiropractic know-how, eh?
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