What Type of Pillows Do Chiropractors Recommend for Neck Pain Relief?

Waking up with a stiff neck can surely wreck your day.
If this condition is a part of your daily life, let mу ask you something.

When was the last time you replaced your pillow?
I bet it was long ago. And this might be the key to your sore mornings.

So, let me guide you through the wilds of the market to your perfect pillow for the neck pain.

How Do You Know If Your Pillow Is Making Your Neck Hurt?

First, let's define if your neck pain is caused exactly by a pillow.

It's quite easy to understand:

● you wake up with a feeling of tension that goes away by itself after 20-30 minutes or after a simple stretch;

● the pain feels more like soreness after a good workout;

● and the most obvious: if you are not sleeping at home, you wake up in the morning with no signs of a stiff neck.

An incorrectly chosen pillow, instead of keeping your neck aligned with the rest of the body, either do not provide any support at all or creates a weird angle. Both of this will result in pain.

Best Pillows for Different Sleeping Positions

Many people underestimate the importance of sleeping positions in the process of choosing a pillow.
Meanwhile, this is one of the key points here.
So which pillow will suit you most, depending on your sleeping pose?

● if you’re a side sleeper:

The critical moment of choice is the height of your pillow. It should be high enough to maintain the neck in a neutral position, and at the same time contour the head properly. In this case, sturdy pillows with even support and good cushioning properties proved to be the best.
“You can put one more pillow between your knees to align your spine. Or you can use a body pillow to achieve a similar level of support.”

● if you’re a back sleeper:

People who like to sleep on their back can choose pillows of any type. But perfect is to go with the golden mean — that is, medium firmness and medium loft. Pillows in which you can control the amount of filling and shape it the way you like can be a good option.

“If you have a soft mattress, it’s better to place a pillow under the knees when you’re sleeping on the back. This minimizes strain on the lumbar area as well.”

● if you’re a stomach sleeper:

This position actually isn’t recommended because it may put unnecessary pressure on the lower back and neck. Most stomach sleepers also tend to turn their head to the side, adding up to the tension in the neck. If there’s no way you can change your sleeping position, it’s good to use a thin, soft pillow or no pillow at all.

What Pillows Are Recommended by Chiropractors For Neck Pain Relief?

Now, let’s see what pillows will help you ease your neck pain if you’re already suffering from this condition.
Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose one of the following pillow types:

● Cervical pillows

These pillows are also called orthopedic. They can immediately be recognized by non-standard shapes designed to support your neck and hold it aligned with your spine.
Your chiropractor will most likely recommend you to use this type of pillows if you have chronic neck pain, as a few studies have shown that cervical pillows are effective in relieving stiff neck and improving sleep quality.

You can choose between the models made of memory foam or latex depending on what feel you prefer and how much you are ready to pay.

“Whichever cervical pillow you choose, make sure it has a proper size. Too small or too large ones simply won’t offer you the level of support you need.”
Want to try these pillows? You can check out some cervical pillows at Happysleepyhead.com as a starting point.

● Feather pillows

Feather pillows are an excellent choice for those who often change their position during sleep. They can contour the neck and head, allowing them to maintain a neutral position, and like any natural materials, they have good cooling properties. Another advantage of feather pillows is that you can reshape them or sometimes even adjust the volume of the filling.

“Feather pillows, however, can cause an allergic reaction in some people, as they are less resistant to dust mite (which are one of the most common allergens in humans). Plus, they might be quite difficult to clean. If that’s a turn-off for you, you can switch to synthetic down.”

● Memory foam

The original purpose of memory foam was to improve the comfort of the astronauts during a rocket launch. Memory foam pillows have excellent cushioning properties and maintain a neutral position of your neck, easily adapting to any position that you decide to sleep in.

Final Word

Today's market offers a fairly large selection of pillows to relieve neck pain. I hope this guide will allow you to make a balanced choice and say goodbye to your sore mornings.