The 5 Best Pillows for Neck Pain (Our 2020 Review)
- Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Shredded Hypoallergenic CertiPUR Memory Foam Pillow.
- Dream North Premium Gel Pillow.
- Bluewave Bedding Slim Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow.
- Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Full Size Body Pillow.
- Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow.
Full Answer
How do I choose the best pillow for neck pain?
The Best Pillows for Neck Pain
- Check Your Sleeping Position. The best positions if you have neck pain (or just want to avoid it) are sleeping on your back or on your side.
- Find the Right Pillow Shape. ...
- Add Other Pillows as Needed. ...
- Check Pillow Materials. ...
- Pay Attention to Pillow Height. ...
- Give It a Test Drive. ...
- Replace Your Pillow as Needed. ...
- Get More (or Better) Sleep
What are the best bed pillows for neck pain?
Where to buy a pillow
- Tempur – bedding specialist that sells a small range of memory foam pillows, starting from a hundred pounds. ...
- Argos – offers a wide range of pillows. ...
- Simba - Bed-in-a-box brand Simba offers one pillow - the hybrid pillow. ...
- Dunelm – it sells natural, synthetic, memory foam and polyester pillows starting from as little as £6. ...
Can a pillow really help with neck pain?
Yes, in many cases the pillow you use will alleviate neck pain. The majority of neck pain is caused by use of the incorrect pillow, so a good pillow may get rid of it completely. I find memory foam pillows too hot.
What is the best pillow position for neck pain?
What is the best sleeping position for neck pain? Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head. This can be achieved by tucking a small neck roll into the pillowcase of a ...
What pillow do doctors recommend for neck pain?
A 2020 study discovered that latex and memory foam are the best pillow materials for neck pain. This is because these materials provide neck support, which can improve sleep quality.
What pillow do chiropractors recommend?
Dr. Hascalovici typically recommends two types of pillow materials: memory foam and down pillows. For starters, memory foam pillows—typically used for both sitting and sleeping—are soft and provide support by filling the gaps created by your body to align the spine, Dr. Hascalovici explains.
What kind of pillow is best for neck and shoulder pain?
The best pillow materials include memory foam, buckwheat hulls, latex, and other fills that provide sufficient support to keep the head and neck upright and aligned with the spine. If a pillow sinks too much or loses shape quickly, the potential for more shoulder pain increases.
Which pillow is best for neck pain hard or soft?
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.
How do I stop my neck from hurting when I sleep?
If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head. When you are riding in a plane, train, or car, or even just reclining to watch TV, a horseshoe-shaped pillow can support your neck and prevent your head from dropping to one side if you doze.
What helps neck pain from sleeping?
Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice shortly after a neck strain may help limit the swelling. Ice applications tend to be best for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Heat therapy, such as taking a warm shower or using a heating pad, helps loosen and relax the muscles, which may also reduce pain and improve range of motion.
Is my pillow causing neck pain?
Your pillow A pillow that doesn't support your head and neck properly can create tension in your neck muscles, and cause neck pain. Feather or memory-foam pillows may allow your head to be “cradled” at night, allowing for a neutral spine and neck.
Why does my neck hurt when sleeping?
Irritated ligaments—tissue that connects bones to other bones—in the neck are one common culprit, and spasms of neck muscles are another. Either of these can be caused by sleeping “wrong,” especially since your neck muscles will be exhausted from holding up your head all day.
What helps neck and shoulder pain while sleeping?
Have the bottom pillow supporting your shoulders and the top pillow supporting your neck. Hug a pillow, as this will put your top shoulder in an open position. Tuck the pillow up high under the arm. Use a pillow between your legs when you are on your side, or behind your thighs if lying on your back.
Why does my neck hurt after waking up?
One of the most common causes of neck pain is having your neck twisted or bent too far in any direction for a long time. If you wake up in the morning with a painful neck, it may be because your pillow is not supporting your head and neck in the right position, which is described as a "neutral" position.
Should shoulders be on pillow when sleeping?
It should only be thick enough to create a straight line from your head and neck down through your spine. Your shoulders should not be on the pillow.
Do chiropractors recommend water pillows?
Chiropractors tend to recommend water pillows because these pillows can be adjusted to match the needs of side, back, stomach sleepers as well as people of any size and shape no matter how big or small. One good quality water-based pillow can be adjusted to meet the requirements of virtually any individual.
How long do chiropractic pillows last?
It's a good practice to replace your pillows at least every two years.
Do cervical pillows really work?
You may feel better and sleep better with a neck pillow. It's sometimes called a cervical pillow because the upper part of your backbone (where your neck is) is called the cervical spine. Research suggests that a pillow with good cervical support can help relieve neck pain and improve rest.
Is the Pluto pillow worth it?
It's a good size. I found the Pluto Pillow I received to be the right thickness for me. It isn't too lofty for comfortable stomach and back sleeping or so flat that it throws my head out of alignment if I turn on my side. It provides me with good support no matter which sleep position I choose.
What is the best position to sleep when you have neck pain?
Best sleeping positions for neck pain. Generally, if you’re experiencing neck pain, it’s best to sleep on your back or side. Sleeping on your stomach, especially if you’re sleeping with a pillow that’s too thick, can put excess pressure on your cervical spine and cause neck pain. Keep your neck aligned with your body.
What position is the most painful for neck pain?
Your sleeping position and pillow may play a role in continuing pain. Stomach sleepers, for example, may face the most neck pain. This position means your neck is turned to either side and your spine is arched.
How does neck pain affect sleep?
It’s difficult to sleep when you’re experiencing any kind of pain, including chronic neck pain. You might toss and turn all night to find a comfortable sleeping position.
How long does neck pain last?
While it tends to affect people the most in middle age, neck pain can impact anyone. Pain following injury may resolve in a few days or weeks, but up to 10 percent. of people may be left with chronic issues. Your sleeping position and pillow may play a role in continuing pain.
Why are the edges of the curved pillow curved?
Its edges are curved to help reduce head and neck rotation, and to reduce pressure points that contribute to pain. The memory foam material is infused with cooling gel. The brand says the pillow is also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. SHOP NOW AT AMAZON.
Why do pillows hurt?
You spend about one-third of your life sleeping. Pillows that are too stiff or too full may strain your neck by keeping it flexed throughout the night, resulting in pain.
What to do if your neck hurts?
Make an appointment with your doctor if your neck pain doesn’t respond to a change in your pillow, posture, or other lifestyle measures. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.
Can Pillows Cause Neck Pain?
Sleeping on the wrong pillow can cause or exacerbate neck pain. If your pillow is too thick or too thin, it can force your neck into weird angles that put stress and tension on your body, resulting in neck pain. Even if your pillow feels comfortable at first, it’s possible that it’s not giving you the right amount of support.
Which Pillow Is Best For Neck Pain?
There isn’t one single pillow out there that’s perfect for everyone, but the best pillow for neck pain has two main characteristics: it’s firm enough to keep your head at a neutral angle so your spine stays aligned while you sleep, but yet somehow soft enough to allow some give to help alleviate pressure points.
How Should I Sleep To Avoid Neck Pain?
To avoid neck pain, it’s best to sleep on your back or your side. Your head and neck should be on your pillow, while your shoulders remain slightly below it. Your head should also be parallel to the mattress, rather than tilted at an angle.
What is the best pillow for neck and shoulder pain?
By far, the most popular option is a memory foam pillow. As you know, memory foam is already a commonly used material in mattresses, and it is now one of the leaders in the pillow world as well.
What is the best pillow for sleeping?
If you like to have your head well up off of the mattress, that may mean choosing a firm option such as memory foam pillows. Or, if you prefer to lay mostly flat, you might like a softer choice.
What Causes Neck Pain at Night?
Generally speaking, neck pain can be caused by an awkward sleeping position. Of course, what is considered ‘awkward’ will vary significantly from person to person, as all of our bodies are unique. When stomach or side sleeping, it's easy to slide into an odd position or turn your head at an angle that could cause your neck muscles to cramp.
Why is the orthopedic pillow so firm?
This orthopedic pillow is purposely made very firm in order to provide optimal therapeutic support for sleepers with neck pain. While this product works best for back sleepers, the softer ends of the pillow can be used for side sleeping when need be.
How to sleep with neck pain?
Finding a great ergonomic pillow that can help reduce your chronic neck pain is an efficient way to improve your sleep each night. Not only will you enjoy waking up without a stiff neck, but you will also be likely to sleep better during the night because you won’t be awoken by pain or a throbbing migraine headache.
What is a neck pillow?
The neck pillow from Coop Home Goods uses shredded memory foam to create a comfortable platform for your head, and it’s designed to adjust to you – not the other way around . For those who want a higher lift, this pillow comes with an additional ½-pound bag of fill to help achieve your desired height.
What is traction pillow made of?
There are therapeutic neck traction pillows made from substantial chunks of memory foam, and also some made from shredded memory foam. Even if you don’t wind up purchasing a memory foam one, it would be wise to at least consider this category as you shop.
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
Recommended by both Jaffe and Lefkowitz, the Chiroflow is another water-filled pillow that helps relieve neck pain by contouring to the exact curvature of your neck. “The water will provide support and naturally fill in the space of your neck curve,” says Lefkowitz.
What is a Celliant pillow?
This pillow, recommended by Jaffe, has a similar shape to that of the Tempur-Pedic one above and comes in two different sizes: a lower-height “wave” for back sleepers and a taller one for side sleepers. It’s made with a proprietary material called Celliant, which absorbs body heat to both help with temperature regulation (often an issue with memory-foam pillows, which can run hot) and reflect energy back into the head and neck as infrared heat to promote muscle recovery.
What is Pillowise based on?
That’s why he likes Pillowise, which uses an algorithm, based on your neck and shoulder measurements, sleeping position, and mattress firmness, to determine the best pillow for you . Lefkowitz uses one himself and says, “I can’t live without mine now, and I’ve also seen amazing results for my patients.”.
What is the shape of a Jaffe pillow?
This pillow, another recommendation from Jaffe, has a similar shape to that of the Tempur-Pedic one above and comes in two different sizes: a lower-height “wave” for back sleepers and a taller one for side sleepers. It’s made with a proprietary material called Celliant, which absorbs body heat to both help with temperature regulation (often an issue with memory-foam pillows, which can run hot) and reflect energy back into the head and neck as infrared heat to promote muscle recovery.
Can sleeping on your side hurt your neck?
Even though sleeping on your side is one of the best positions for spinal alignment, it can still put pressure on your neck and shoulders if you’re not properly supported. “A lot of people have a problem sleeping on their side and trying to maintain that position while not putting a lot of torque on their necks,” says Perna. A pillow with a high loft could push your neck too far upward when you’re on your side. With its graduated wedge shape, the MedCline is Perna’s pick for side sleepers looking to reduce neck pain. It also has a hole to slip your bottom arm through so there’s less pressure on your shoulders.
Can you replace pillows with a cervical roll?
If you don’t want to replace your existing pillows, Duncan suggests adding a cervical roll inside your
Should neck muscles rest at night?
According to Karen Erickson, a chiropractor and American Chiropractic Association spokesperson, “your neck muscles should rest at night and recover from the strain of texting, computer work, and the other forward-head position tasks we all do during the day.”.
How to find the right pillow for my head?
Find the Right Pillow Shape. If you sleep on your back, look for a pillow with a cervical spine curve, meaning there’s a bit of a roll or bump under your neck and a flatter spot for your head. If you sleep on your side, you need a slightly higher pillow to keep your head in line with your spine, and you may also want a pillow with a bump ...
What to put on your neck when sleeping?
If you sleep on your side or back with a flat pillow, a second roll or rolled up towel under your neck could provide additional support. For side sleepers, putting a thin pillow between your knees also helps keep your spine in line with your head and neck.
How to stop neck from hurting at night?
Give It a Test Drive. If possible while pillow shopping, lie down in your usual sleep position and put the pillow under your head. Take your time.
What is the best position to sleep when you have neck pain?
Check Your Sleeping Position. The best positions if you have neck pain (or just want to avoid it) are sleeping on your back or on your side. If you sleep on your stomach, you may have neck pain because your neck is turned to the side and your back is arched.
Do feather pillows keep their shape?
Down pillows also conform, although feather pillows don’t keep their shape so well over time. If you have allergies, choose a pillow fill that doesn’t trigger them, and consider using a pillow cover that shields against allergens or dust mites. If neck pain is your problem, a flatter pillow may be the better option.
Is a flatter pillow better for neck pain?
If neck pain is your problem, a flatter pillow may be the better option . In one study, higher pillows created more cranio-cervical pressure (that’s at the spot where the head and neck join) and a greater cervical angle, meaning your head isn’t lined up with your spine.
