Neck Pillows: The Good, Better and Best

One of the most common causes of neck pain is bad posture. Sitting all day hunched over a computer can wreak havoc with your posture. Sitting up straight is probably not something you think about during the day, but at the end of the day you definitely feel the effects of not sitting correctly at your desk. Sitting incorrectly isn’t the only thing that can cause a stiff and painful neck – sleeping on the wrong pillow or in the wrong position can also leave you with an aching neck. The good news is that the solution may be as simple as changing up your pillow for a comfortable neck pillow like Elite Rest’s slim sleeper.

We did some investigation and have found the good, better and best neck pillows that will give you a good night’s sleep.  

Neck Pain and Your Sleeping Position

Before we delve into the most comfortable pillows for neck pain, we are going to take a look at how your sleeping position can impact your neck pain.

Back Sleeping

Sleeping on your back is one of the recommended sleeping positions. The reason it is so popular is because it has many benefits.

Some of these benefits include.

1. Reduces heartburn. If you raise your head and chest a little while you sleep on your back it will help to reduce heartburn.
2. Helps with acid reflux. Add a wedge pillow to your bed, this allows your upper body to be raised higher than your stomach which will improve your acid reflux dramatically.
3. Eliminates neck pain. Sleeping on your back, with the right pillow will keep your neck in a neutral position and eliminate neck pain.
4. Relieves shoulder stress. Sleeping on your back places very little stress on your shoulders, so you won’t wake up with shoulder pain if you sleep on your back.
5. There is less pressure on your internal organs. When you sleep on your back less pressure is placed on your internal organs.

Side Sleeping

This is fast becoming the sleeping position more and more healthcare professionals are recommending because it is so beneficial not only for your back and neck but also for your gut health.

Some of the benefits of side sleeping include.

1. Aids digestion. Sleeping on your left-side improves digestion and helps with waste elimination.
2. Your body is correctly aligned. If you sleep with the correct pillow that aligns your body, this sleeping position reduces joint and neck pain.
3. Helps with heartburn. When you sleep on your right side it can help to reduce heartburn.
4. It can boost brain health. Sleeping on your side can also help to clear interstitial waste and this will improve your brain health.
5. Reduces snoring. Side sleeping prevents your tongue from falling into your throat and blocking your airway and this reduces snoring.

Stomach Sleeping

Sleeping on your side is the worst of all the positions and there aren’t really benefits to sleeping this way. If you are a belly sleeper, then you must make sure you are sleeping on the right pillow, that is flat and does not push your neck too far back.

What Makes a Pillow Comfortable?

Finding the right pillow can be a personal decision because we all have our preferences when it comes to the type of pillow we like to sleep on. But if you are struggling with neck pain and want to find the right pillow to help with that, there are a  few things to keep in mind.

Consider the following before investing in a new pillow.

The fill of the pillow. Pillows are filled with a range of different materials, each one with their own advantages. Some popular filling options are memory foam, synthetic down, latex and cotton.

The weight of the pillow. Some pillows are heavier than others – a latex pillow will be heavier than a down pillow for example.

The covering of the pillow. It is important to make sure that whatever filling you decide to go with, it is covered with a breathable fabric.

The size of the pillow. Generally you will find most pillows come in two sizes, queen and standard. The standard size does work for most people but if you are looking for something bigger, then the king size will work.

Choosing the right pillow can be a very tough decision, trying to find the right balance between support and comfort can be tricky but when you get it right it can make a huge difference in the quality of sleep you get.

The Most Comfortable Neck Pillows

The Best Body Pillow: DMI U Shaped Body Pillow

Body pillows are not only ideal for pregnant women but also for anyone who is looking for support for their neck while they sleep. Wrap your body around this hypoallergenic pillow and sleep soundly all night long.

The Best Cervical Neck Pillow: Usuno Cervical Pillow

If you are looking for effect pain relief from a pillow, consider this cervical neck pain. It might not look particularly comfortable but once you lay your head on this pillow, you will feel the difference. You will also find that this pillow helps with headaches, shoulder pain as well as neck pain.

The Best Natural Pillow: Organic Textiles Natural Kapok Filled Pillow

If you are looking for a natural pillow that supports the neck, then this kapok pillow is perfect. It has been filled with natural hand tufted kapok. This filling gives the pillow a soft silky feeling that guarantees you a comfortable night’s sleep. But you do not only get comfort from this pillow, it also provides you with the support that you need for your neck.

The Best Goose Down Feather Pillow: Puredown Goose Down Pillow

Rest your head on this pillow and it will feel like you are sleeping on a cloud of comfort. This pillow provides you with a soft, comfortable place to rest your head while still ensuring that your neck is properly supported. This is a good pillow for side sleepers.

The Best Adjustable Pillow: Royal Therapy Adjustable Pillow

Adjustable pillows are great pillows because they allow you to personalise the height of your pillow, giving you complete control of your comfort and support. This pillow is filled with memory foam that conforms to the contours of your body, allowing your neck to be supported while you sleep. This is a great pillow to reduce neck pain and maintain the natural curve of your spine.

The Best Slim Sleeper: Elite Rest Slim Sleeper

If you sleep on your stomach it is important to make sure that your neck has the best possible support. This is not an ideal sleeping position and so the right pillow really is important. Elite Rest has a great thin pillow that won’t push your neck too far out of position.

The Best Water Pillow: Mediflow Water Pillow

This pillow has been clinically proven to reduce neck pain and improve the quality of sleep you are getting. It is a pillow that is suitable for all types of sleepers because you can add and remove water to suit your unique needs. The benefit of this pillow is that it moves with your head so you never have to adjust it, it will always provide the right support.

Neck pain is pretty common, especially today when people spend so much time looking at their phones or hunched over their laptops. This is why it is important to make sure you are sleeping on a pillow, like the Elite Rest Contour Pillow, that ensures your neck is supported while you sleep. Any of the links on this page will take you to the most comfortable pillows for neck pain.