Brooklinen Natural Down Plush
Stuffed full of Canadian down feathers, this Brooklinen Natural Down Plush Pillow features a high fill power of 600. When shopping for down products, its important to note that fill power determines how fluffy and lofty itll be . Sleepers in the market for big ol feather pillows are sure to enjoy this one.
That said, this pillows tall 5-inch profile is easily compressed into a low loft of 2-inches, as natural down is a very soft material. In fact, this pillow has a malleable quality that lets you push, press, and fold it to meet your unique needs. As for me, I like to fold one corner under my arm when Im on my side for extra comfort.
Meanwhile, sleepers with allergies might like to know that this down has been treated with Ultra Fresh Antibacterial Additives, an OEKO-Tex technology used to make it hypoallergenic. So if you tend to avoid real down because of sensitive skin or allergies, just remember that this pillow was crafted to be extra resistant to mold and mildew.
Learn everything there is to know about this pillow in my full Brooklinen Natural Down pillow review!
Price: $$, which is a great value for a natural down pillow. Plus, Brooklinen offers a 365-day return policy and a lifetime warranty.
Perfect For: Sleepers of all styles looking for a soft and lofty pillow filled with 100% real down!
Best Pillows For Neck Pain
Snoozing with a supportive pillow is a great way to maintain healthy posture and guard against neck pain. No one wants to start the morning with an ache, or a stiff neck, that can last all day! Of course, with so many options on the market, it can be tough to determine which pillow will bring you sweet dreams and which will leave you feeling sore and stiff. But dont worry my best pillows for neck pain review is here!
In this guide, Im presenting thetop ten pillows designed to alleviate neck pain and unlock your best sleep potential. Plus, Ill impart my own tips and tricks for finding the pillows that match each sleeping position, so youre better equipped to find the one that meets your unique needs. Lets get started!
Disclaimer: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative, but shouldnt replace advice or treatment from a medical professional. If you experience chronic pain or discomfort while sleeping, its best to consult a healthcare professional.
How To Choose A Pillow For Side Sleepers
While many brands design and market pillows tailored specifically to back, stomach or side sleepers, all of the experts we spoke to told us that pillow comfort is very personal, and just because a pillow is marketed for side sleepers doesnt mean it will work for you. According to Dr. Andrew Varga, neuroscientist and physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, There is limited, if any, scientific evidence regarding pillow types.
After testing dozens of pillows, we have found that the way pillows are labeled can give at least some indication of how the pillow will feel, and that makes a good starting point when shopping for side sleeper pillows . In general, pillows meant for side sleepers like those for back sleepers are often firmer and loftier than pillows for stomach sleepers, which helps keep your head elevated properly when laying on your side. And some contoured or cutout designs may provide better comfort for some side sleepers.
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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.
Best Latex Pillow: Purple Harmony Pillow
The Purple Harmony Pillow might suit people who find memory foam options too hot.
Purple notes that the pillow uses its own GelFlex Grid material that contains more than 1,500 air channels to keep air circulating through the pillow and keep heat away from the head.
The pillow also has a Talalay latex core that the company claims is naturally cooler than other memory foam options.
The cover is a blend of nylon and spandex with a moisture-wicking treatment.
The Purple Harmony Pillow comes in three heights: low, medium, and tall. Purple recommends each height for different people, as follows:
- Low: This pillow is 5.5 in high. It may be ideal for stomach and back sleepers and people with a small to medium body size.
- Medium: This pillow is 6.5 in high. It may be ideal for side and combination sleepers with a medium to large body size.
- Tall: This pillow is 7.5 in high. It may be ideal for side and combination sleepers and those with a larger body size.
The pros and cons a person can consider may include:
Pros:
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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 didnt fit the curvature of my neck right. Wu mentioned having a similar problem. I had the Tempur-Pedic pillow, and it was too small for me, 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.
How To Choose A Pillow For Neck Pain
If you experience neck pain, choosing the right pillow can be a key step toward living pain-free. The right pillow will depend on your individual needs. Well walk you through the most important considerations, including how to choose the best material, shape, and thickness for your individual sleeping style.
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What Is Neck Pain
The neck is responsible for bearing the entire weight of your head, and its not surprising that this delicate part of the body is highly susceptible to injury. The 2018 US Burden of Disease study found that neck pain is rising in importance as a leading cause of disability among the American population. Most sources estimate that between 25 and 30 percent of people suffer from neck pain every year. While many episodes of neck pain resolve naturally, for some it can become a chronic condition with adverse consequences for their quality of life.
Neck pain can be caused by a number of factors. It may stem from an injury or a chronic condition such as arthritis, or it may arise from daily habits such as poor posture or too many hours of sitting at a computer. While symptoms vary, people with neck pain often experience:
- Neck pain, especially during repetitive activities or long periods of sitting upright
- Limited range of motion
- Poor sleep quality
If you have severe pain or additional symptoms, or if youre not sure whats causing your neck pain, its a good idea to visit a doctor to rule out underlying conditions.
Regular exercise and a healthy body weight are thought to have a positive impact on chronic neck pain. The American Chiropractic Association notes that neck pain often goes hand-in-hand with high stress levels and obesity.
How To Select The Best Pillow For Neck Pain
At night when you lay down to sleep, you want your head to be properly supported so that your neck muscles can relax, says Nicole Nagle, DPT. With the wrong pillow, your neck muscles are working overtime at night and this is not going to help your neck pain, she says. Nagle recommends keeping the following factors in mind when looking for a pillow to help ease pain:
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Best Pillows For Neck Pain 2022
Keep reading to learn more about each of these pillows unique qualities and specific build thats aligned with our idea of the best pillow for neck pain! The type of pillow you might need will vary differently depending on your body shape, size, weight, and individual preferences. Because a pillow can play such an important role in neck pain, we have tested each of our pillow picks to make your search easier.
Support For Neck Pillows
Neck pillows provide important ergonomic support of the neck during sleep. Many standard orthopedic pillows for neck pain often lose their support with time. Biomechanically, they offer support to inflamed areas of the neck and the normal relationship between the head, neck and upper back which can work to correct poor neck posture and allow injured parts to heal with less stress.
Scientific research is confirming clinical data that the use of cervical pillows can aid in neck pain treatment. Clinical evidence indicates neck and back posture correcting pillows to be employed for various neck and related issues like: sleep difficulties, headache, neck and arm pain, disc conditions, arthritis, as well as injury related sprains and strains like whiplash.
Because there is no clear choice that benefits everyone, we have articles to learn more about choosing a good neck pillow, please invest some time to read about How To Choose The Right Pillow, which details specific functions of pillow designs. Additionally, there is information on the best pillow for neck pain, pillows for neck pain, geared towards information on which neck pillows may be the bring the most satisfaction to our customers.
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Where To Buy Orthopedic Neck Pillow Online
If you seek products to provide anatomically correct support to the neck and head, you are in the right place. We, at HPFY, have a huge variety of cervical support pillows for the neck to help provide relief from stress and keep the head, neck, and spine in proper alignment. There is a wide range of cushions available for both adults and children from the manufacturers such as the Hermell Products, Patterson Medical/Performance Health, etc. Choose the right pillow for yourself and slip into sleep to wake up fresh, free of Pain.
What Pillow Materials Are Best For Neck Pain
The best pillow for neck and shoulder pain is firm enough to hold your head at a healthy angle, but soft enough to alleviate pressure points. Most sleepers find success with either a memory foam, latex, buckwheat, or feather pillow, as these materials offer the best balance of support and pressure relief.
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How To Choose A Pillow If You Have Neck Pain
If neck pain keeps you up at night, you might want to consider swapping your pillow for one thats the right height. In the pillow world, height is usually described as loft.
The right amount of loft depends a lot on your preferred sleeping position. Stomach sleepers, for example, should opt for a pillow with a lower loft. Essentially, you want a pillow that will keep your spine in alignment without putting too much pressure on your neck.
You might also want to look for a pillow made of supportive foam or latex rather than down or down alternative.
Shape may also be a consideration. Cervical or ergonomic pillows are designed to provide support specifically for the neck and head, for instance.
Pillows can be made from a range of materials, including latex, polyester, cotton, and more. A
Match Your Pillow To Your Sleep Position
Start your search by matching the pillow to your dominant sleep position: side, back, stomach, or combination. Thats the position you settle into and is likely to be your favorite, says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, an instructor at the Harvard Medical School and co-author of Sleep for Success! . Many pillows are now labeled this way, but the terms vary from brand to brand.
Use our advice to fine-tune your shopping. And make sure to check pillow return policies, so you dont get stuck with a closet full of rejects.
Almost 70 percent of us sleep on our side, according to a Consumer Reports survey. A firm or extra-firm pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers. It maintains the proper alignment, or curve of the neck and head, at the most comfortable heightwhich, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, is 10 centimeters . Either a traditional or contoured pillow in memory foam or latex can support your head at the proper angle without flattening as quickly over time when compared with a polyester or down pillow.
The best pillow for back sleepers supports or cradles your head without losing the natural curve of your neck. Start with medium-loft, medium-firm models filled with a down alternative, memory foam, or latex foam.
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My Final Thoughts About Best Pillows For Neck Pain
Well sleepers, weve reached the end of my guide and youre well on your way to finding your new pillow thatll provide pain relief. And as you carefully consider all your options, dont forget to pay close attention to materials, loft, and firmness in order to find your perfect pillow match for a good nights sleep. Oh, and be sure to follow Sleepopolis on social media, and subscribe to our YouTube channel! Happy sleeping, everybody.
Is A High Medium Or Low Loft Pillow Better For Neck Pain
It depends on what type of sleeper you are. If youre a stomach sleeper, it may be best to choose a pillow with a low loft to minimize the pressure on your spine. If youre a back or side sleeper, a medium loft pillow that allows your head, neck, and spine to form a straight line may be right for you.
Finally, if youre a side sleeper with bigger shoulders, a high loft pillow may be suitable. Note the pillow should equal the distance between the ears and the edge of the shoulders.
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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.
Types Of Pillows Available
Many types of pillows are available. Some that may suit those with neck pain include:
- Contoured pillows: With these pillows, a persons head will rest in a specially designed contour, with elevated areas supporting the neck to keep the neck and back in good alignment.
- V-shaped pillows: A V-shaped pillow elevates the head and keeps the spine straight. This may help alleviate neck and back pain by improving sleep posture.
- Memory foam pillows: Memory foam molds precisely to a persons shape to provide support in the appropriate areas.
- Latex pillows: Latex is a responsive material that can provide good support to the body, including the head and neck. It is sometimes more expensive than other materials, but it is also durable.
- Water pillows: Water can adapt to a persons movements and provide support to the head and neck. However, a water pillow may not be the most convenient type of pillow to use.
- Buckwheat pillows: An environmentally friendly option, a pillow that contains buckwheat can be comfortable while providing appropriate support.
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What The Research Shows
If you rely on research to guide your choices, you wonât find much agreement on neck pillows. One review of five studies, published in 2006, concluded that there wasnât enough evidence to recommend them for neck pain.
One study, published earlier, compared the effects of water-filled pillows, roll, and standard pillows on sleep quality. This research found that a water-filled version lessened morning pain and made for better rest than a roll pillow or standard model.
Yet another study found that a roll-shaped pillow noticeably improved chronic neck pain.
Keep in mind that nobody — not the people in these studies, nor your friends and family — can know what will work best for you. If your neck aches in the middle of the night or you wake up with stiffness and pain, it might help to try some kind of neck pillow.
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