Types Of Neck Pillows
The best pillow for neck pain depends on a lot of things — including your sleep position, the cause of your neck pain, and what feels comfortable to you. Common types include:
- D-core, which has a D-shaped indentation in the middle for your head
- Standard contour pillows — the wavy ones, with a lengthwise indentation for your head
- Horseshoe-shaped
Neck pillows come in a variety of materials, including down, memory foam, cotton, and synthetics that can wick away heat and sweat. The material you choose matters, but only if it makes the pillow feel comfortable to you. Experts say that, in general, comfort trumps all — although material that keeps you cool may help you sleep more deeply.
What To Look For In A Supportive Pillow
According to Dr. Winter, latex and memory foam pillows are best for achieving the proper sleeping alignment, and experts say that those who slept with latex or memory foam pillows woke up less and had better sleep quality.
Dr. Winter recommends choosing a pillow that’s designed for your sleeping position of choice, as well as one that is specific to the size of your body and your sleep position. And aside from the medical considerations, the choice of a proper pillow is about comfort, which can be highly personal.
Keep reading to learn why shoppers say these soft-yet-supportive options are the best pillows for neck pain.
Scoliosis & Pinched Nerve
These conditions can complicate the process of choosing a good pillow, however, there are solutions. With scoliosis and what is called an antalgic position, one side will be higher than the other. In the case of scioliosis, this is a long term issue. With an antalgic posture, like having a pinched nerve where it feels better holding your head more to one side, you will need to have an adjustable pillow when side sleeping.
An adjustable memory foam pillow can help, but you have to adjust the pillow as you change positions. In order to avoid interruptions, have a pillow that you can pre-adjust to your specific needs. The Neck Pain Pillow is one that has separate sections and the microfiber fill can be adjusted to different heights on either side.
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What Is The Best Rated Pillow For Neck Pain
There are so many pillows for neck pain on the market, which can be quite daunting when you dont know what shape or firmness will benefit you specifically. Our bodies have natural curves, so flat and thin pillows are a no-go when it comes to maintaining the health of our spines. This Specialist Synthetic Contour Support Pillow from John Lewis is uniquely designed to offer targeted support for your back and neck by allowing your shoulders to nestle in the cut-out. Ideal for side sleepers, itll cradle you and ensure the correct alignment throughout the night to avoid any pains come the morning.
Elsewhere, offers its specialised shape specifically for people who suffer with neck pain. The ergonomic design aligns your spine and releases the pressure of your head and neck by increasing blood flow and opens up your air passages therefore decreasing the risk of snoring. The hypoallergenic fabric and ventilation holes mean that theres no need to swap to the cool side either, and it makes a good case for an anti-allergy pillow. Sign me up.
Choosing The Right Materials To Guard Against Neck Pain
Once youve settled on the right loft and firmness, its time to focus on the material details. From foam to feathers, pillows can be filled with all kinds of materials So lets explore some of the most popular ones below:
If youre still not totally sure which material sounds right for you, dont worry were about to get up close and personal with each one. But before we do, theres one last thing to consider: when to replace your pillow.
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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.
Neck Pillows For Pain Relief Sleeping
Long-term use of the correct pillow helps in restoring proper cervical curvature associated with consistent use.
Front low, back high neck traction:
Appropriately control the use time of the front low and rear high traction mode. After getting used to it, you can increase the usage time and leave a certain buffer space for the cervical spine. Because the physiological curvature of the cervical spine has been formed for many years and the bones have been formed, if you use it for too long, you may feel neck pain or dizziness the next day.
Front high back high curing sleep:
Use this neck pillow’s front high front low back high curing sleep pattern all night long, preferably with your head touching the lower side of the pillow.
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How Long Does A Pillow Last
An excellent place to start when determining how long any product will last is to look at the warranty. The median warranty length of the 16 pillows we tested was 2.5 years. This is a reasonable amount of time to expect your pillow to last, especially considering your comfort preferences will change over time, often necessitating a new pillow.
Remember warranties typically only cover flaws in the pillow’s construction or extreme degradation while used normally. The warranty may not cover replacement if the pillow is destroyed due to an accident, such as a spill. To protect against spills, we recommend buying a pillow protector.
Once you’re done with your pillow, you have several options for repurposing, donating, or recycling it. If you have a pet, they may enjoy using it as a bed. Or, if your pillow is still in great shape, you might donate it to an animal shelter, homeless shelter, daycare facility, or charity in your area. If you go this route, check with the facility before dropping it off since many organizations do not accept used pillows.
If you can’t repurpose or donate your pillow, look for a textile recycling facility in your area.
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.
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Best Water Pillow: Mediflow Fiber The Water Pillow
Not getting enough support from your traditional memory foam pillow? Then it may be time to switch to a water pillow, which provides excellent support to the neck as well as the head, back, and shoulders with their adjustable designs. The thickness level can be easily controlled by filling the pillow with more water, and stays stabilized throughout the night for continuous support. This pick from MediFlow utilizes the benefits of a chiropractic water pillow and adds comfort with its cushioned fiber layer. Its insulated water pouch is secure, so you can rest easy without worrying about leaks. According to reviewers, once you make the switch, you’ll have a hard time going back to regular pillows. “It is the only pillow that I’ve had that allows me a good night’s sleep without waking up in the morning with neck or shoulder pain,” one shopper who’s been using these pillows for over a decade shared.
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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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 it’s determined that the culprit is the pillow – it’s 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.
Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow
If youre a side sleeper dealing with neck pain, chances are youre sleeping with a pillow that makes your head crane too low or too high. The Coop Home Goods original adjustable pillow is a perfect option for side sleepers because you can find a loft that works for you.
This pillow is full of shredded memory foam and plush microfibers, which gives it that slow-moving memory foam feel, while still being very soft, too. And like the name suggests, this is an adjustable pillow, meaning you have the option to take out or add in fill to achieve a loft that works for you.
Side sleepers will want to keep the pillow relatively full, or might need to add in additional fill that Coop provides to achieve a high loft. But once you find the sweet spot, you can keep your head and neck in a neutral position and sleep pain free!
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Elviros Memory Foam Cervical Pillow
UNIQUE DESIGN
The cervical neck pillow can support your neck in the neutral aligned position and lifts your head to the proper height while you sleep on your back or side. It is possible for you to experience some discomfort during the FIRST TWO WEEKS while your body is trying to adjust to the correct position. Please be patient and give yourself an adaptation cycle.
Neck Contour
The cavity in the middle helps to cradle the head for optimal support and make you breathe better and smoothly.
Center Contour
For back sleepers follows the curve of the neck and spine and prevents herniated or bulging disc in neck efficiently.
Are Contour Pillows Good For Neck Pain
Contour pillows can be a wonderful choice for those trying to alleviate neck pain. These pillows specialize in supporting a key area prone to strain and resulting pain – the natural curvature of one’s neck. Placing the right amount of support in this area takes pressure off the many muscles and nerves in the neck and may help the pain subside.
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Best Pillow Types For Neck Pain Relief
As with all products you purchase for your sleep, there are many nuances to finding that pillow that will be just right for you. But when it comes to the materials and the type of pillow to look out for to help alleviate neck pain, the answer is a little more straightforward.
Well go over the best types of pillows for neck pain and which types to avoid.
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.
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Best Memory Foam: Tempur
Why We Like It The TEMPUR-Neck Pillow utilizes proprietary memory foam to support and conform to your neck. It includes two different-sized bolsters to choose from depending on your sleep style and three sizes for different body types.
Its Worth Noting: It may be too supportive for non-side sleepers.
Memory foam conforms to the shape of your neck, so it can enhance the fit of the pillow, says Dr. Shah. We love the memory foam TEMPUR-Neck Pillow because it is ergonomically designed with an extra-firm feel to maintain its shape and two different-sized bolsters for a higher or lower head angle, depending on your sleep style and pain points.
Instead of a head cut-out, this pillow has a slope in the middle for your head to rest on, so itll be most comfortable for side sleepers. Keep in mind that Tempurpedic doesnt offer a sleep trial period, so if you dont sleep on your side, this pillow probably isnt for you.
This pillow does come in three pillow profile sizessmall, medium, and largefor different body shapes, with the large at the highest loft of 4.75 inches and the small at the lowest, of 3 inches.
This Tempurpedic pillow also comes with a five-year warranty to guarantee quality.
Price at time of publication: $119
Product details:
Best Cervical Pillow: The Cushion Lab Neck
Amazon
Why We Like It: For back sleepers, side sleepers, and back/side hybrid sleepers, this ergonomically-designed cervical pillow helps cradle your natural spine alignment.
Its Worth Noting: This dense pillow may be too supportive for some.
Cervical pillows, which have a raised edge and lower center, are more supportive than a flat pillow, Lees explains. The design of this one helps cradle your head and stretch your neck, while you sleep.
We love The Cushion Labs Cervical Pillow, as its made from contouring memory foam and was shaped by an in-house ergonomist to ensure proper support and alignment. It features a sloped neck ramp for the lowest part of your C-spine, an arched cushion to relieve upper neck pressure, and a concave head basin for natural alignment when laying down. It has special accommodations for both back and side sleepers: The pillow has a curved shoulder cushion to keep back sleepers from shrugging up their shoulders during the night. And, the pillow features raised face support on the wings for side sleepers.
A cervical pillow’s extra support can be too much for some people and lead to more soreness. So, if this is your first time using a cervical pillow, its smart to look for one with a refundable sleep-trial period. The Cushion Lab offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if this cervical pillow ends up being too supportive for your needs.
Price at time of publication: $59
Product details:
- Trial or guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
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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.
