Top Pillows For Neck Pain

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:

What Is The Best Pillow Positioning For Neck Pain

Sleep experts recommend either back or side sleeping if you experience neck pain. Sleeping on your stomach causes your head to bend at a sharp angle and arches your spine, which puts unwanted pressure on your neck. If you strictly sleep on your stomach, you should choose a pillow with a low loft to minimize pressure.

For best results, back and side sleepers should ensure that their head, neck, and top of the spine form a straight line. Sleeping with a pillow thats too high or too low can cause aches and pains. Likewise, sleeping with your head rolled to one side or the other is also likely to cause neck pain.

Don’t Miss: How Often To Replace Foam Mattress

The Best Pillows To Help With Neck Pain

Below are some of the best pillows for neck pain that a person can consider.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

The EPABO Memory Orthopedic Pillow features an ergonomic contour that may suit back and side sleepers. The contoured design cradles the head, helping keep the spine aligned and relaxed.

The manufacturer writes that this pillow uses breathable memory foam to keep people cool while they sleep.

A person can also adjust the pillow to suit them. It features a removable piece of foam at the back, which can lower the resting position of the head for people who find the pillow too high.

The company describes this pillow as firm. The pillow has a rayon-polyester case and a memory foam fill.

The pros and cons a person can consider include:

Pros:

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.

Don’t Miss: Where To Recycle Mattress And Box Spring

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

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:

You May Like: Tempur Pedic Symphony Pillow Review

What Is The Correct Position To Sleep On A Pillow

Using a thick pillow will force your head backwards and create even more pressure on the curve of the spine in your lower back. Instead, keep your head as flat as possible. Another approach is to place a pillow underneath your stomach or pelvis to better align them and put less stress on your spine.

What Is The Best Pillow To Stop Neck Pain Worth The Price

If you’re a buyer, then this post is for you. Many factors determine what the best pillow to stop neck pain is worth the price, and we’ll cover them all in this blog.

From quality to customer service, there’s a lot to take into consideration before purchasing an item. Read on to find out if it’s worth your money or not!

What does it mean to get a good deal on a product? Is the item worth the price? The best pillow to stop neck pain are those that provide you with quality and value.

Quality means that an item will last for years while providing you with excellent service. Value means that the product is worth what it costs.

You should ask yourself these questions before buying a product: “What do I need this for?” “How often am I going to use this thing?” “Do I know of any comparable alternatives?”.

If you buy something without asking these questions, chances are high you wasted your money on something unneeded or overpriced!

1. The best pillow to stop neck pain have the best quality

What is the best pillow to stop neck pain to buy? There are many opinions and options. One of the most important things to consider when deciding on a purchase is quality.

This part will explore some of the different types of quality in products and how they affect your decision-making process.

What does it mean for a product to be high-quality? Quality can come from several sources, such as durability, reliability, features, design aesthetics, or any combination.

2.1. Warranty policy

Read Also: Foam Pillow Not Memory Foam

Best Wedge Pillow: Coop Home Goods Bolster Pillow

Whether you’re pregnant or just find that you can never get fully comfortable on your current pillow, this half-moon wedge pillow may be just what you need. These uniquely shaped pillows are comfortable yet supportive and can be used in four different positions to help with alignment. What’s more, you can adjust the height of the pillow and remove the foam inserts for the perfect fit. One shopper called it a “great support pillow” and said: “Love it! I had disc surgery about one year ago and this pillow is perfect to relieve the pressure on my lower back when sleeping on my back. It’s also super comfortable for side sleeping.”

Top Consumers Choice: Epabo Memory Foam Pillow

The EPABO is a memory foam pillow that perfectly cradles and supports your head, neck, and shoulders. Reasons for holding the top position in the list can be its ergonomic design, support for all sleeping positions to assist in relieving neck pain.

These memory foam pillows come in white colors with many variant sizes so that the sleepers can choose based on their needs.

This smart orthopedic pillow uses hypoallergenic and breathable materials to give maximum comfort. All materials are chemical-free for better health.

Also, the net jacket with these memory foam pillows includes a sturdy zipper to make washing easy for you. Its bamboo-fiber cover is extremely soft, breathable, easy on the skin, and machine washable.

If youre dissatisfied even after using the pillow for some weeks, you can simply return to the company and get your refund. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How does it work?

EPABO Memory Foam Pillow provides therapeutic relief for all sleepers and neck pain. Also, its premium fabric can keep the sleepers cool and comfortable throughout the night.

It has an ergonomic design that aligns your neck, head, shoulder, and back perfectly. This helps you fall asleep faster and deeper.

The EPABO pillow is a blend of hypoallergenic rayon or polyester proprietary that makes you feel silky soft. It also gives you better air circulation.

Pros

Read Also: Can Mattresses Go To The Dump

Best For Natural Fill Material: Hullo Buckwheat Pillow

Buckwheat pillows are a suitable option for people who want a product made with natural materials.

These pillows contain thousands of buckwheat hulls instead of foam or fibers. The company describes buckwheat hulls as firm but malleable and breathable.

According to Hullo, the cotton case is certified organic. However, the company does not state which certification this product holds.

People can adjust this buckwheat pillow to suit their sleeping style and comfort preferences by adding or removing hulls from the pillow.

This may suit people who believe their needs will change over time or who want to be able to adapt their pillow if the severity of their neck pain changes.

Pros and cons of the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow may include:

Pros:

Best Sleeping Positions For Neck Pain

Generally, if youre experiencing neck pain, its best to sleep on your back or side.

Sleeping on your stomach, especially if youre sleeping with a pillow thats too thick, can put excess pressure on your cervical spine and cause neck pain.

Keep your neck aligned with your body. You may want to place a pillow under your knees to keep your spine in proper alignment.

Read Also: Will Garbage Pick Up Mattress

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.

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.

Read Also: How Often Do I Need A New Mattress

Best For Headache Relief: Nature’s Guest Adjustable Cervical Orthopedic Pillow

When a headache or migraine strikes, you’ll want a contouring pillow to stabilize your head and back in addition to supporting your neck. With the Cervical Orthopedic Pillow from Nature’s Guest, sleepers receive advanced cervical support by aligning the head, neck, and back. It’s also designed to offer customized neck support position your head higher on the pillow for greater support, or lower for a more moderate level. Plus, you can adjust the memory foam inside to better accommodate your pain. “This pillow has changed my life,” shared one Amazon shopper. “No more headaches first thing in the morning. I feel like I tried everything to help with my neck, and this was the only product that helped.”

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?

By Bridie Wilkins

Don’t Miss: What Are The Differences In Mattress Types

Amazonbasics Memory Foam Pillow

When it comes to mattresses and pillows, many people wouldnt even consider that Amazon had a roll to play. However, a lot of their bed products are very highly rated. The is no exception. In fact, on their website it is rated more highly than the Emma pillow. The flagship feature of the Amazon memory foam pillow is the fact that its made with something known as ice silk. In terms of moisture content, apparently it is a good match with the natural moisture of out skin.

The result of that is that is that the pillow appears silky, smooth, cool, breathable, antistatic and anti-ultraviolet.

Like the EVE pillow it has a cover that is easily removable to clean. If youre looking for longevity then this is an important feature. And another thing that it has in common with the EVE pillow, is the fact that its nice and simple just a lump of decent memory foam in a quality, washable cover. The price is enough to sweeten the deal even further. Its only around £30 which is considerably cheaper than most other memory foam pillows. And although it doesnt come with any home trials as such, because it is an Amazon product its fairly easy to return. Its a good memory foam pillow for the price, so if youve not got a large budget then its well worth a punt.

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.

You May Like: What Is A Split Mattress Set