Other Tips For Sleepers With Neck Pain
In addition to choosing the right pillow, you can reduce neck pain through lifestyle changes like adopting proper posture, taking stretching breaks, and generally being more active. People who experience neck pain should avoid shoulder bags, slouching, and long periods of sitting at the computer.
- Choose the Right Mattress: Your bodys overall position is influenced not only by your pillow, but also your mattress. Plusher mattresses allow your body to sink down further, meaning youll need a lower-loft pillow. The opposite holds true for firmer mattresses, which will require a higher pillow to maintain proper alignment of the neck and spine.
- Engage in Physical Therapy: From daily habits to more serious regimens, there are plenty of exercises you can do to relax your neck muscles and relieve strain on the neck, shoulders, and upper back. A certified massage therapist or chiropractor may also be able to help. Always consult a health professional before starting any kind of treatment.
- Use Ice or Heat: Many people with neck pain receive instant relief from a hot or cold compress, or from taking a warm shower. This may not cure your neck problems, but it can be a helpful short-term solution.
Discover The Best Supportive Neck Pillows That Ensure You Wake Up In Comfort With Our Buying Guide And Bite
Waking up with a sore neck is a rotten way to start the day. The best pillows for neck pain offer support in all the right places, ensuring that your shoulders and muscles are positioned properly all night long. No more waking up with sore shoulders, neck stiffness and headaches.
Our necks and backs need more careful attention than ever, now that so many of us work from home and spend our down time staring at our phones. “In my 20 years of clinical experience, I’ve never treated so many younger people with neck pain,” says Gary Jones, physiotherapist at Physio 206. “That’s got to be something to do with the mobile screen generation. It’s a big problem and it’s not going away.”
The right supportive pillow could make all the difference – but instead we sleep on the same saggy old pillow for years on end. “Think about how many hours you sleep each week,” says Gary. “Your car has an annual MOT, but how often do you do an MOT of your pillow? It’s literally, let’s wait until it’s gone threadbare!”
So in this buying guide, we’ll reveal how to choose a pillow that offers the correct support, alleviating not just neck pain but also back ache and headaches. We’ll also reveal our pick of the best pillows currently available.
Awareness Of Sleeping Positions And Proper Pillows Can Minimize Neck Pain
As with so many things, when it comes to neck pain, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure. It’s true that some causes of neck pain, such as age-related wear and tear, are not under your control. On the other hand, there are many things you can do to minimize your risk. One place to start is to look at how you sleep and what effect this may have on neck pain.
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Best Shredded Memory Foam Pillow: Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Shredded memory foam offers more breathability than its solid core memory foam counterpart. And since it’s shredded, they are ideal for sleepers that love to scrunch, smush, and really smoosh into their pillow. Earning an impressive 4.5-star rating from Amazon shoppers in addition to more than 2,800 perfect reviews, the Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow combines gel-infused and microfiber memory foam to deliver an all-around comfortable feel that is also incredibly cooling. Suitable for every sleep style, it’s built with a supportive gusset to give it structure and promote alignment. “I usually have to use more than one pillow, but last night using the Eden pillow, I only needed that pillow,” explained one reviewer, who noted that they were suffering from “extreme neck and back pain” due to a car accident. It’s even won over “picky pillow” people. “I will tell you that we do not take pillow purchasing lightly,” another wrote, adding that they’d been experiencing “some slight neck stiffness” upon waking. “This pillow eliminated all issues!”
Pay Attention To Pillow Height
If neck pain is your problem, a flatter pillow may be the better option. In one study, higher pillows created more cranio-cervical pressure and a greater cervical angle, meaning your head isnât lined up with your spine. This can result in pain and stiffness if your neck stays at that angle all night.
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Your Body Size And Body Type
Your height, weight, and shoulder width all come into play for what size, loft, support, and materials are best for you. For example, a small person who sleeps on their side might not need as much loft to put their head in line with their shoulders, while someone with a big frame might need more. Similarly, a small-framed person may be better off with a standard pillow while a person with a larger frame may be better supported on a king-size pillow. People who are overweight may run hotter, so they should opt for cooling materials and stay away from heat-retainers like memory foam.
Then, when youre looking for the best pillow for neck pain, the most important features to consider are:
The Neck Pillow With High Front And Back Low Design Is Good For Cervical Spine Health
Make sure there is no gap between the pillow and your shoulders, no matter what sleep style you use.
Usage:
1. Place this cervical pillow flat on the bed, sofa or flat place you want to use.
2. Adjust the position and align the neck and pillows, then completely relax the neck, lying down, naturally hanging.
3. Make sure there is no gap between the pillow and your shoulders, and then you can lay on it to fall asleep.
Notes:
1. If you feel uncomfortable at first, this is normal, please wait 1-3 days to get used to it.
2. When washing, remove the outer pillowcase for cleaning, the color of other clothes may be transferred to the product, so please do not wash it together with other items, and then store it in a ventilated and dry place.
3. When the weather gets cold, the pillow will harden. After receiving the pillov.it is recommended to put it in a warm room for about 24 hours, it will become soft.
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General Tips For Choosing Neck Pillows
As we have seen, there are some health benefits to different sleeping positions, however, most people will sleep in the position they feel most comfortable with, or the one they feel is the most natural. Even if one position is preferred, most use a combination of positions that changes throughout the night. Therefore a good selection of cervical pillows to accommodate different sleeping positions is important.
You may have a specific condition that requires a special pillow for your neck like a CPAP pillow for sleep apnea. Most people will benefit from having a wide selection to suit their particular sleeping habits. Our pillows range from special pillows with contours to ease muscle strain, reactive pillows that change to accommodate different positions and specific pillows that have separate side & back sleeping areas. Choosing a pillow may require more research, and one of the best tips for picking a good pillow is to learn more and you are encouraged to spend as much time as necessary.
Best For Stomach Sleepers: Belly Sleep Gel
More of a belly snoozer? Try this flat, thin pillow from Belly Sleep, a brand that specially designs comfy bedding options for stomach sleepers. The thinner shape of the pillow helps keep the head in a neutral alignment as you sleep on your stomach, while the memory foam material conforms to your body so you wake up pain-free. What’s more, it’s made with cooling gel memory foammaking it a great option for hot sleepersand comes with a moisture-wicking bamboo and polyester cover that’s machine-washable for easy cleaning. Hundreds of reviewers rave over how great the pillow is for stomach sleepers, with multiple people calling it a “game-changer.” “Due to a physically demanding job that also involves considerable travel, I tend to have a lot of neck and shoulder pain,” wrote a shopper. “And belly sleeping is actually not good for your neck, but I can’t sleep any other way. This pillow has absolutely eliminated my neck pain which neither chiropractic adjustments nor massages could do for me. I am beyond thrilled.”
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How To Choose And Use The Best Pillow
The rule of thumb for a proper pillow is that it should keep your neck parallel to the mattress, rather than bent down or up.
The most common mistake people make is choosing a pillow that bends your neck forward or to one side, Dr. Bang says. It can feel comfortable at first, but once you fall asleep for hours and your neck isnt being supported properly, all kinds of neck problems can happen as you sleep that you may only realize once its too late.
Dr. Bang says neck pain and a stiff neck are most common. Beyond that, you can experience problems with your whole spine twisting the wrong way which over a long time can create lasting damage, he adds.
To avoid these issues here are seven tips he suggests for choosing the most neck-friendly pillow:
1. Pillows that adapt to your position are best
Cervical contour pillows work best for most people, he says. Your head rests in a depression in the center. Your neck rests on either a less elevated side when youre lying on your back, or on a more elevated side when youre lying on your side.
Foam contour pillows are next best at supporting your neck.
2. Latex foam is generally the best material
Natural latex offers support without heating you up like memory foam.
People may not realize that they become hot at night. This can make for restless sleep. By sleeping cooler, you sleep deeper, Dr. Bang says.
Of course, if youre allergic to latex, youll want to use memory foam pillows.
3. Feather pillows cause the most neck pain
What Is The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Side sleepers make up more than half of the American population, so we’re not surprised to see this question so frequently!Side sleepers with neck pain really need to focus on finding a pillow that has enough loft and height to support the 4″ to 6″ gap that resides between the top of the shoulder and the side of one’s head and neck.When the head and neck are properly supported and the shoulder does not have increased pressure on it, the neck can stay free from tensions and stress and neck pain should go away.The goal is to look at oneself in a side sleeping position and see a straight line from the forehead, nose, chin down to the neck and sternum – this means neutral alignment is achieved.
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How Do You Pick The Right Neck Pillow Exactly
So you have your mind set on buying a neck pillow. Wondering what to do next before you click add to cart? The following is what you can keep in mind when picking out the best neck pillow for you, according to experts.
Okay, now that youre all caught up on the details of picking out the best neck pillow for you, its time to get into the nitty-gritty. The following are the 15 best pillows for neck pain, according to doctors and rave reviews.
If you have allergies, a good pillow that does wonders for your neck will only help so much. But what if I told you that you can sleep soundly knowing that both your neck and nose will be at peace?
Enter: Pacific Coast’s cushiony pillow-in-a-pillow is made specifically to block dust mites and allergens without using any chemicals. Plus, it boasts support for every kind of sleeperside, back, belly, you name itso neck pain is not even a possibility.
Eli & Elm Cotton Side
The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow was designed just for side sleepers unique needs. Its custom u-shape is built specifically to support side sleepers heads and necks while reducing shoulder pain.
And, in addition to a supportive and springy feel the fill is adjustable, so if you arent a fan of the thicker center, you can pull out some of the fill and adjust it to your liking.
Check out our full review of the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow here!
Price: $$$, with a 45-day trial period.
Perfect For: Side sleepers looking for great neck support or sleepers looking for a hypoallergenic pillow the side sleeper is antimicrobial, mildew-proof, and dust mite-resistant.
This uniquely shaped pillow from Eli & Elm was designed specifically with side sleepers in mind, and should offer them plenty of contouring and pressure relief.
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Best Cooling: Layla Kapok Pillow
Made from copper fibers and breathable kapok fabric, which is renowned for its soft and airy cloud-like feel, this top-rated pillow from Layla, an editor-favorite sleep brand, prevents heat from being trapped while cradling your neckso every side is the cool side. Inside, reactive memory foam provides optimal cushioning and moldability so it can conform to your head and neck, ensuring proper alignment and support. Additionally, it can be adjusted to match your loft preference for even more comfort. It’s earned a seal of approval from back, side, and stomach sleepers alike. “Super soft, just the right amount of support, loft, and versatility when adjusting and moving around,” one reviewer wrote. ” It feels luxurious and like heaven when laying down. It keeps a neutral temperature No more neck or shoulder pain!”
Best Organic: Avocado Organic Molded Latex Pillow
Eco-friendly and comfortable, the Avocado Molded Latex Pillow features an organic cotton cover that is soft-to-the-touch. At the center of the pillow is its moldable charcoal-infused latex core, which offers a higher firmness level than most pillows and is ideal for those in need of greater neck support that is evenly distributed. According to the brand, this type of firmness is best suited for people who sleep on their back and side. Hot sleepers will also enjoy this pillow because of its breathability and ability to wick away moisture and repel odors. “I have a lot of neck problems, and this pillow really makes a difference on how I wake up next morning,” one shopper said, praising how the security, stability, and height of the pillow promotes proper alignment. ” very sturdy yet nicely comforting, with just the right amount of cushion and softness.”
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Best For Back Sleeping: Sleepseeker Wonderfull Back Sleeper Pillow
One of the most common sleeping positions is back sleeping. However, back sleepers regularly suffer from neck and back pain due to a lack of support during sleep. If you can relate to this, then check out the Sleepseeker WonderFull Back Sleeper Pillow!
The non-allergenic cluster fibre keeps sniffly noses away and is soft enough to feel comfortable throughout the night. In terms of support, this Sleepseeker pillow consists of a medium firmness design – which is the perfect balance for comfort and support.
The pillow has been designed to maintain its shape and the filling is encased in a 230 thread count cotton cover. If you have ever rested in a luxurious hotel bed, this pillow may feel familiar.
Neck pain can lower your mood and get in the way of everyday tasks. Thankfully, with products such as the Sleepseeker WonderFull Back Sleeper Pillow, neck pain can be a thing of the past!
Cervical Pillow Buyer’s Guide
If you decide to search for a cervical pillow to alleviate your neck pain by merely heading to Amazon or another site and searching pillow for neck pain, you are going to receive an overwhelming number of results. It is incredible to see just how many different neck and shoulder support pillows are on the market today.
Going into this shopping process without a general idea of what you are looking for might not be the best approach. Our buyer’s guide aims to answer any questions you may have about the best neck pain pillows and where to find them, taking into consideration your sleeping positions and preferences.
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Neck Pain And Its Relation To Sleep Quality
Neck pain can involve discomfort in the muscles, bones, nerves, joints, and the discs between the bones. It can cause difficulty in movement.
Sometimes, a chronic health condition, such as fibromyalgia, causes neck pain. In other cases, it can occur as a result of an accident.
While periodic discomfort in your neck isnt typically something to worry about, its important to seek medical care if your symptoms dont go away within a week or escalate to other areas of your body.
Its difficult to sleep when youre experiencing any kind of pain, including chronic neck pain. You might toss and turn all night to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Researchers in a that evaluated teens found that neck pain was linked to poor sleep quality in this age group.
Another
for the neck and upper quadrant.
What To Consider When Looking For A Pillow
We asked a physical therapist and a sleep posture researcher all about the most important qualities in a pillow that will relieve neck pain. Overall, research shows that the ideal pillow for neck pain should be soft but not too high, provide neck support, and be allergy-tested and washable. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what to look for:
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