Best pillows for side sleepers · Best pillows for shoulder pain. First, my favorite is the Casper foam pillow. This firmer pillow is designed to keep your head and neck properly aligned, preventing any neck pain in the future and relieving any existing pain. If neck pain is your problem, a flatter pillow may be the best option.
In one study, higher pillows created more skull-cervical pressure (i.e., at the point where the head and neck meet) and a larger cervical angle, meaning that the head is not aligned with the spine. This can cause pain and stiffness if the neck stays at that angle all night. With its contoured shape and supportive memory foam, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow promises to keep your neck aligned throughout the night. It comes in three sizes, customizable to your body shape and sleep style, and is completely hypoallergenic.
The right pillow is essential to keep your neck in a supportive position with neutral alignment during sleep. Without proper pillow support, the intricate neck structures will become stressed, worsening any existing neck condition and causing neck pain or stiffness during the day. In addition to choosing the right pillow, you can reduce neck pain through lifestyle changes such as taking proper posture, taking stretching breaks, and generally being more active. She didn’t experience any neck pain during her two months of testing and liked that the shape was more comfortable than traditional pillows.
And while you carefully consider all your options, do not forget to pay close attention to materials, loft and firmness to find the perfect pillow for a good night’s sleep. We will take a closer look at how body position and pillow construction can improve comfort, and teach you what to look for when buying a pillow for neck pain. People who sleep on their backs and sides generally require firmer pillows than people who sleep on their stomach, while people who sleep in combination and people whose firmness preferences change may consider an adjustable pillow. As we have said before, people who sleep on their stomach have unique needs, namely thinner pillows that do not strain their necks at night.
Leaning one arm on a pillow and adding a pillow between the knees offers additional support for the spine. If you sleep on your back, look for a pillow with a curve in your cervical spine, which means there is a little rocking or bulging under your neck and a flatter point for your head. Next on my list is the Purple Harmony pillow, and I chose it specifically for those looking for a soft pillow that relieves neck pain. Made from hyperelastic polymers arranged in a smart comfort grid, the purple pillow is specifically designed to support the head and neck.
These pillows take on a variety of shapes, but Wu and Louw recommended pillows that have a lower loft in the middle and larger bumps along each length. The Eli %26 Elm pillow is unique because its U-shape helps keep the shoulder and neck in a supportive position. Small lifestyle changes, such as stretching, adjusting your posture when you feel slumped, and maintaining exercise, can really make all the difference when it comes to neck pain.