When you buy a pillow, do you look for the best pillow for neck support or do you just buy the cheapest, most convenient one? Many people overlook the importance of a good pillow that provides good support for your back and neck. It is probably the reason the back of your neck always hurts when you wake up!
When people are looking for remedies for back pain while sleeping, they will visit a chiropractor, their local GP, take medication and some will even change their mattress. These may help but there is a strong possibility you just need to change your pillow for one that will provide the right support for your neck and back.
While there is no one pillow that will work for everyone because we all favor different sleeping positions. There are pillows that are best suited to people suffering from neck pain. We have found these pillows for you and compiled a guide for you to use when looking for a new pillow specifically to provide your neck with the correct support.
When looking for the best pillow for neck support, make sure you consider all of these points.
1. Does it help to correctly align your spine? Neck pain caused while sleeping is often due to the incorrect alignment of your body. If your pillow is too high, the strain will be placed on your neck and back. If it is too low, it could be uncomfortable. A pillow that is too hard or too soft will also result in your spine being aligned incorrectly and you will wake up with a sore neck. When it comes to alignment, the Disk Jockey neck pillow provides the best alignment from your ears all the way down to your spine. This pillow not only provides neck support while you sleep but when you are sitting at your desk or driving your car.
2.Is it adjustable? Adjustable pillows allow you to find the height that works the best for you and your sleeping position. The UTTU Sandwich Pillow is a great adjustable pillow that offers sleepers four different contours. You will definitely find the height that provides you with the best support and alignment. At the highest contour this pillow is 4.7 inches and at the lowest, it is 2.8 inches. All types of sleepers will find comfort with this pillow, making it one of the best pillows for neck support we could find.
3. Consider your sleeping position. Every sleeping position places pressure and strain on different places in your body. Side sleeping is the best sleeping position for upper back and neck pain. If you prefer sleeping on your back or stomach then you need to find thinner pillows. Stomach sleepers need extremely thin pillows, like the Elite Rest Slim Sleeper. When you sleep on your stomach pressure is placed on your neck and if you have a pillow that is too high it pulls your neck up, increasing the chance of neck pain. If you sleep on your back you also want a lower contour pillow otherwise your neck will be pushed too far forward into an unnatural position. Digital Decor has a pillow that would work well for back sleepers looking for neck support. Sleeping on your side is the recommended sleep position, if this is your position of choice, the Xtreme Comforts pillow is the best one for you. This pillow comes with a bamboo cover that will help to regulate airflow and reduce overheating. Your sleeping position is an important consideration when it comes to choosing a neck pillow.
4. Does the pillow keep your head and neck in place while you sleep? Tossing and turning at night trying to get comfortable is not ideal. When your head and neck are kept in place while you are sleeping, you will not toss and turn. Look for a pillow, like the Beckham Hotel Collect Gel Pillow that has no shift construction. This pillow provides comfort, support and promises a good night’s sleep.
5. Is it a breathable pillow? Neck pain is often caused or made worse by constant movement during the night while you try to get comfortable. If you are sleeping on a pillow that is making you too hot, you will probably end up waking up uncomfortable and then have to try to fall asleep again. Snuggle-Pedic has a pillow that makes use of Kool-Flow technology to improve ventilation and cooling. This means you won’t overheat while you are sleeping, when you place your head on this pillow you will fall asleep and stay asleep.
Don’t forget about your neck while you are traveling! Traveling places strain onto your neck as you are sitting, often in cramped places, for extended periods. So making sure you have a pillow that provides neck support is essential. A good travel pillow is a must-have if you are a frequent traveler or going on a long trip.
While this will not necessarily provide neck support, look for a pillow that is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant and comes with a machine washable cover for hygienic reasons.
There is no proper way to sleep to avoid back pain but certain positions can help to ease the pain you may be experiencing in those areas. If you are asking yourself regularly why does the back of my neck always hurt, it is probably because you are sleeping on the wrong pillow and not receiving the right support for your neck and back.
When you are looking for a pillow that will provide you with proper support, make sure you take your sleeping position, the breathability of the pillow and the adjustability of the pillow into account. The best pillow will tick all of these boxes and most importantly it will give you a good night’s rest.
