Finding the best pillow for neck pain is a critical concern for the millions of people who suffer from neck pain. It’s estimated that up to 25% of all women will experience neck pain at some point. Up to 15% of men suffer from it. As we’ll discuss, the right pillow can help alleviate neck pain while sleeping, while also providing better quality sleep overall.
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
Finding the best pillow for neck pain isn’t straightforward. Many things will depend on finding it, including your specific cause of neck pain and your sleep habits. However, focusing in on a few key areas can help. When it comes to finding a good pillow for you, consider the:
- Pillow characteristics
- Material the pillow is made from
- Way you actually sleep
Your goal, with all of these, is to keep your neck in the proper alignment in order to reduce pain. Kammi Bernard, PT, a physical therapist at the Baylor Health Care System in Dallas notes:
“The goal of using a pillow is to help keep your head in what is called a ‘neutral alignment,’ meaning your head is sitting squarely on your shoulders without bending back too far or reaching too far forward.”
This simple adjustment can make a world of difference for neck pain patients. It’s important to get the pillow right and, if done correctly, some patients can find that their neck pain reduces or goes away completely. Dr. Raymond Hall on Pillo1.com states that:
“I consider the lack of proper neck and head pillow support that almost all ordinary pillows and even 99% of the so-called “therapeutic pillows” on the market, are the MAJOR cause of neck pain in our society.”
ChooseMattress.com echoes this sentiment, noting that old pillows or sagging mattresses are leading to many stiff neck issues for patients. Let’s take a look at these aspects before diving into our favorite options.
The best characteristics of pillows for neck pain
Where do you start when it comes to getting the best pillow for your neck pain? Loom & Leaf suggests focusin