Have you noticed back pain after waking up on a regular basis? This can be fixed by paying attention to your sleeping position and choosing the right pillow and mattress. A sleeping position that does not create unnecessary discomfort for both your upper and lower back is necessary for quality sleep. The pillow should provide adequate support and facilitate spinal alignment. Below, we will discuss the best pillows for bad backs according to your sleeping position.
What are the Best Sleeping Positions to Relieve Back Pain?
If you are a side sleeper, you should get a pillow that has enough height to cover the distance between the head and the mattress. You must ensure that your head remains aligned with the spine. Placing a pillow between your legs will help get the hips and pelvis aligned with the spine as well.
If you sleep on your back, opt for a low-loft cervical pillow. Cervical pillows help maintain the natural curve of the head and shoulders. Avoid lying down with your legs completely straight. If you cannot keep them propped up on your own, place another pillow under your knees. There is no restriction here. The higher your knees are, the less curve on your lower back, which ensures that these muscles will stay relaxed throughout the night.
Qualities of the Best Back Support Pillows
When choosing the right pillow for back support, you must strike a balance between firmness and comfort. The pillow should be firm enough so that your head does not sink in too much and lose alignment with the spine. At the same time, it should be soft enough so that you do not toss and turn at night and sacrifice sleep position for comfort.
Contour pillows can provide adequate neck support and encourage you to maintain position throughout the night. This can, in turn, help you avoid getting into positions that can be disastrous for your back. Using these guidelines, you can get a pillow that provides relief from chronic back pain. The pillows mentioned below are the best for providing relief from chronic back pain.
Reviews of the Best Chronic Back Pain Pillows
Contour Memory Foam Pillow By Elite Rest — Best Cervical Pillow
This is an orthopedic pillow. It is great for back as well as side sleeping. The contours provide adequate neck and shoulder support and provide gentle alignment to the spine. The lower contour is 2.75” and the higher contour is 4” high. The 12” width is good enough to provide partial and complete support as per your preference. The memory foam is of good quality. The material has antifungal properties and is highly durable. It is also hypoallergenic and mildew and dust mites resistant. The 20 x 12 inches removable cover is made of premium cotton and is machine washable.
Elite Rest Shredded Memory Foam Pillow — Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
The Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is 6 inches high. It is specifically designed for back and side sleepers. The cover is made from bamboo fiber. It measures 20 x 12 inches and is removable and machine-washable. The pillow is designed to comfortably support the spine. Using this pillow may also help reduce snoring and breathing and provide relief from neck, shoulder, and back pain. The shredded memory foam helps regulate heat and maximize air circulation by providing ventilation. The memory foam is quite durable and is hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, and dust mites and mildew resistant.
Coop Home Goods Premium — Best Pillow for Back Support
The Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow by Coop Home Goods is made from a mix of memory foam and microfiber. The firmness strikes the right balance between optimal support and comfort for most people. The pillow can be adjusted to suit your body type and sleep position. This is possible because of the pillow’s design which allows you to access the memory foam fill. You can add or remove memory foam as needed. The pillow cover is made with Lulltra fabric, a mix of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon. The fabric is highly breathable and feels soft to touch. The pillow is backed by a 5-year warranty. It has been tested and certified by Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US.
ERGO-Pedic Cushion — Best Pillow for Lumbar Support
This is not a pillow but a cushion that you can use while sitting. Using this cushion will gradually restore healthy spinal curvature and provide relief from bulging and painful discs. The contour shape helps with posture alignment which will reduce sacrum and pelvic pain and keep the spine healthy. The cushion comes with a nylon strap and a clip that can be used to attach the cushion to a chair or car seat. The cover is meshed, which prevents the cushion from overheating. The removable cover is machine washable and very durable. The cushion is backed by a lifetime guarantee — as such, if it fails to perform, if the zipper breaks, or if the cover wears out, ERGO-Pedic will give you a replacement free of cost.
Desk Jockey Cushion — Best Lumbar Pillow
This Desk Jockey Cushion is a quality cushion for back support. It can reduce pain from sitting and improve posture. Contoured memory foam is designed under the guidance of a board-certified physical therapist to promote healthy ergonomic sitting habits. The cushion can maintain the inner curvature of your lower spine while keeping your shoulders, ears, and pelvis in complete alignment. You can be sure that this pillow will never go flat regardless of how much you use it. The pillow is designed to be versatile so you can use it on your office chair, car seat, or in the airplane.
