How To Choose The Best Pillow For Neck Pain
Many Americans wake up with neck pain, and the causes are not always clear. If you often find yourself waking with a sore or stiffened neck, there is likely an issue related to your pillow. A poorly-designed headrest can lead to improper alignment of the spine which could cause stress on muscles in the neck area, as well as contribute towards continuous discomfort when upright. We've got the rundown on what type of pillow is best for preventing or treating this common ailment.
How To Choose the Right Pillow for Neck Pain
The pillow is one of the most overlooked pieces in our bedroom. It's usually a simple, yet important decision to make when buying new bedding because it can help with everything from snoring to back pain and more! But what many people don't realize is how poor quality pillows might contribute towards neck trouble as well- especially if they're not aware that there are actually multiple types: ones that are too soft, which will cause you to discomfort after hours on them, and those that barely offer enough support to your head without causing any strain on your pressure points.
To help you understand how to choose the best pillow for your condition and preference, here are some ideas that can help you in the process of purchasing the right pillow, according to its overall construction.
* Loft: The loft determines the angle of your head in relation to your spine. A pillow that's too high or low can force your neck into an unnatural position, causing strain and discomfort over time! That’s why sleep experts recommend choosing one with a generous amount of Loft-to help keep aligned while sleeping on any mattress type; it doesn't matter if it's soft OR firm as long as they have ample space between them for proper spinal alignment so choose wisely because this matters a lot when purchasing pillows!
* Support: Having a pillow that's the right height and adequately supports your neck can be very helpful. This is often seen in cervical pillows, which contour to fit around your neck and shoulders, instead of leaving an uncovered space where your neck and shoulders meet.!
* Firmness Level: The pillow firmness is a key factor that determines where your head comes to rest so it's important for this aspect of sleeping well. There are many different types and sizes available, but finding the right one may depend on how heavy you tend to be when lying down or what position will work best with each person’s body type. If the pillow is too firm then these can sag under pressure points (such as the ears). However, if they are too soft, they may end up sagging and cease to provide the proper support.
*Pressure Relief: A good pillow is one that provides pressure relief for your neck by taking the strain off the area around it and contouring. For best results, choose a pillow in the right shape to reduce any uncomfortable points where you rest at night; also make sure not too soft or hard since this might be felt more than desired when sleeping on them!
* Shape: Today’s manufacturers have a varied assortment of ergonomic pillows that provide enhanced support by adapting to the shape of your head and neck. Some people also choose to add another pillow for extra cushioning, in case their traditional setup doesn't work well enough. Another popular choice would be cervical pillows, which can help relieve chronic back pain at night time or when sleeping on your side.
* Price: Investing in the right pillow is crucial for your overall health and your specific neck pain-needs. Pillow prices vary widely depending on their materials and design but one thing that doesn't change about them is that they all serve a specific function. Some will last you just one year while others may need to be replaced after three years. When shopping around, be sure to consider what kind of use cycle they're designed for so you don’t get confused by higher-priced brands, which offer little value. It ultimately comes down to how durable/lasting those particular pillows are, before considering a valid price point.
* Quality Materials: Pillows are an essential part of any bed, but how you choose and maintain them can make all the difference in quality. Some pillows wash well, while others may need to be replaced more often, or should not come into contact with water at all if they contain memory components, such as buckwheat hulls; they will become moldy over time without proper care for their delicate nature. Continue reading below for the best materials to consider, when purchasing the best pillow for neck pain.
Which Materials Are Best for Neck Pain?
Neck and shoulder pain is something that many people deal with. The best way to combat this problem? A firmer pillow! It should be enough for your head to stay at an angle, but still soft so you don't feel any pressure points on top of it all. Most sleepers find success using either memory foam or latex pillows because they offer just enough support without being too hard/constricting under their heads. They also provide relief from chronic neck problems, mainly due to these materials' abilities to cushion the impact when sleeping positions change throughout the night.
* Memory Foam: Memory foam is a great way to get the most comfortable sleep possible. It contours around your head and neck, providing support for any position you may fall asleep in. Memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic so they won't cause allergies or other irritants like some materials can do; it's also cheap (especially when compared with others) which makes this an affordable solution as well. However there can be a downside - memory foams tend to be slow in response time, which means sometimes people wake up feeling cold after lying down on one side for a long duration of time throughout the night.
* Buckwheat: Buckwheat hulls have many natural benefits. They naturally interlock and hold their shape, making them the perfect choice for head or neck support! As an earth-friendly material; buckwheat is resistant to allergens while also being environmentally friendly as it won't break down in a matter of years like other materials might do if not properly cared for. On the other hand, pillows made of these grains can be priced higher, compared with some others on today's market. An advantage is that you’ll get rid of those pesky bed bugs, thanks to this material!
* Feather: Feather pillows are the best way to get that perfect pillow experience. They provide excellent conforming and customizable loft adjustments which make them a popular choice among many people who have trouble finding a comfortable position when sleeping on their back or side, as well as those looking for something eco-friendly! Unfortunately, however, over time feathers can begin losing some of its properties resulting in an uncomfortable night’s rest with support issues caused by displacement from weight distribution throughout the night.
* Latex: If you want to feel like your head is held securely in place while sleeping, then natural latex may be the best choice. Unlike other materials that can cause pressure points or discomfort from being too soft and fluffy against the skin, this fabric offers both comfortability AND support! It’s also great for those who need extra neck cushioning because of an active lifestyle. Lastly, it ensures proper positioning throughout every night's rest with its pin core holes which promote temperature regulation.
* Down: Made from the inner feathers of ducks and geese, down is exceptionally soft. It can be reshaped to suit your preference, and it’s easy to maintain its original form with the occasional fluffing of this pillow. Unfortunately, due to high prices (and potential allergy concerns), many sleepers opt for an alternative filled material, such as polyester fibers. Another factor to keep in mind is that Down can sometimes be too firm and springy causing you to toss-and-turn during your slumber session due to lack of support around the head/neck area. We would suggest making these pillow styles more suited for short naps rather than extended use.
* Polyfoam: Polyfoam pillows offer some contouring and boast a quicker response to pressure than memory foam. They also tend to trap heat, and like other types of pillows, will need replacing more often because they don't last as long before developing permanent indents in your headboard. An asset to this material is its hypoallergenic qualities and affordable price range!
Which Pillow Position is Best for Neck Pain Relief?
* Side with Elevated Neck: Side sleepers with neck pain should use a pillow that has an elevated area under the head to help support it and encourage proper alignment. The best type of side sleeper pillows is those which offer equal loft for both ears, as well as space between shoulder blades. This will allow you to feel comfortable while sleeping on your left or right side, without any discomfort!
* Back with Two Pillows: The best pillow for back sleepers is one that raises the head just enough to sit in line with your neck. But most pillows don't support this higher curve of our spines, so if you have trouble finding a properly supportive one try adding an extra small rounded cushion under where it meets on top at night time while sleeping upright, or side-lying positions.
What Kinds of Pillows do Chiropractors Recommend?
The cervical spine is the upper part of your backbone where you'll find many nerve endings. This makes it a very sensitive area and can cause pain when pressure is applied on these areas for an extended period of time. This can commonly occur most while sleeping at night! A good way to avoid this discomfort? Get yourself one nice pillow that will make sure all parts are supported properly while giving off just enough firmness without being too hard, or too soft.
The cervical pillow is a great way to ensure proper neck support and reduce aches. Chiropractors often recommend these pillows for people who suffer from pain in their upper back or neck, which can be caused by poor positioning during sleep that biases strain on muscles near your spine's basecamp (the area between shoulder blades).
Simply put, incorporate a cervical pillow into your life, if you are experiencing neck pain. Not only can they help to reduce aches and pains, but finding the perfect position for sleeping with one of these pillows is essential in maintaining proper spinal alignment.
Conclusion
In addition to finding the right pillow for you, it’s best and always recommended to reduce neck pain through lifestyle changes. This can be accomplished through adopting proper posture, taking stretching breaks, and generally being more active. People who suffer from neck pain should avoid shoulder bags as it may cause further damage to their already tender muscles in addition to promoting bad postural habits such as slouching or long periods spent sitting at computer desks without any movement whatsoever.
A few additional ideas to keep in mind while finding the right pillow for your needs would be to find a supporting mattress, engage in physical therapy (make sure to see a professional massage therapist to help with those deep neck kinks), and incorporate ice or heat compresses to those areas which need immediate attention and relief.
In conclusion, relieving neck pain is a process, and can be solved through many different approaches. Where to begin the process of finding the pain-free experience you seek for a restful night’s sleep, should always begin with the right pillow for you!
For more tips on choosing the right pillow, you can check out our article on how to choose the right pillow, here.
