A bed without a pillow is like trying to fall asleep on a plank of wood – no matter how good your mattress, mattress topper and bedding is (sorry). In comparison, sleeping with a neck pillow is comparable to snoozing on a cloud. So dreamy.
My search for the best pillows for neck pain came about early this year when my trusty duck down design decided to give up the ghost, and my neck pain came about because I was determined I didn’t need a new pillow. I did. There’s no one-size-fits-all supportive pillow design, however, and soon into my research I became aware that there’s a whole plethora of shapes and styles to fit a whole range of aches and pains. Who knew? Neck pain seems to be the most common issue, with most brands offering firmer and more shapely pillows to conquer those creeks and cramps that never seem to go away – no matter how many massages you get. Sign me up.
Why is my pillow making my neck hurt?
If your pillow doesn’t support your head and neck properly, it can create tension in your neck muscles which in turn causes neck pain. Research shows that a pillow with good neck support can help to relieve pain and improve posture – so they kind of do what they say on the tin. It’s a no-brainer that help in all these areas means a better night’s sleep, and who wouldn’t want that? So, yes, neck pillows are good for you.
While you may not necessarily have any achy joints now, it’s always better to be safe (and preventative) than sorry. You’ll thank yourself later for purchasing a pillow for neck pain, and so will your spine. Think about it; keeping everything in check now means that you won’t need to further down the line. There’s nothing quite like resting your head down on a plush, fluffy pillow – but is it best for your body? If you wake up with any form of stiffness, chances are you need a pillow for neck pain (or cervical pillow if we’re being technical).
What is the best rated pillow for neck pain?
There are so many pillows for neck pain on the market, which can be quite daunting when you don’t know what shape or firmness will benefit you specifically. Our bodies have natural curves, so flat and thin pillows are a no-go when it comes to maintaining the health of our spines. This Specialist Synthetic Contour Support Pillow from John Lewis is uniquely designed to offer targeted support for your back and neck by allowing your shoulders to nestle in the cut-out. Ideal for side sleepers, it’ll cradle you and ensure the correct alignment throughout the night to avoid any pains come the morning.
Elsewhere, Amazon’s Contour Memory Foam Pillow with Cooling Tencel Fibers offers its specialised shape specifically for people who suffer with neck pain. The ergonomic design aligns your spine and releases the pressure of your head and neck by increasing blood flow and opens up your air passages therefore decreasing the risk of snoring. The hypoallergenic fabric and ventilation holes mean that there’s no need to swap to the ‘cool side’ either, and it makes a good case for an anti-allergy pillow. Sign me up.
After more sleep content? Let’s start with the basics: head this way for low platform bed frames to transform your bedroom, and in this direction for mattress protectors, body pillows, duvets, bed sheets and weighted blankets. Finish things off with the best blankets, linen bedding, silk bedding or the best silk pillowcase. Phew.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Associate Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.