Down With Neck Pain Every Morning? Your Pillow Might Be The Culprit

Do you have neck aches when you wake up in the morning? You’re not the only one who feels this way. Neck pain is more common in people in their forties and fifties, although it can afflict anyone. Though the pain from an accident may go away in a few days or weeks, many people may be left with long-term problems. It’s possible that your pillow is at a fault. A pillow that isn’t right for your sleeping position might aggravate neck pain, cause headaches, and more. The goal of a good pillow is to keep your head from leaning too far in one direction or the other. It should just lie on top of your shoulders in a neutral posture when you’re in bed, just like it does when you’re standing up.

A Guideline

The best pillow for neck pain is one that has the following:

• Right loft
• Right firmness
• The right shape for your preferred sleeping position

Pillows should be firm enough to support the neck without causing pressure points, but the exact hardness depends on your preferred sleeping position. Back and side sleepers demand firmer pillows than stomach sleepers, while combination sleepers and persons with changing firmness preferences may benefit from an adjustable pillow.

If you want very soft pillows that don’t provide enough support for your neck, a memory foam pillow with significant pressure relief can be ideal for you. While the foam’s core should still provide adequate support, its contouring capabilities may make it feel “softer” and hence more comfortable to the user.

Mind Your Sleeping Position

It’s possible that your sleeping position and pillow are contributing to your suffering. Sleeping on your side or back is the most comfortable for your neck. Those who sleep on their stomachs, for example, may experience the most neck ache. Your neck is turned to one side and your spine is arched in this position. Experts advocate sleeping on your back or side and using a pillow that supports the neck’s natural curve for relief. Sleeping on your back or side is less taxing on your spine than sleeping on your stomach. However, changing your sleeping position might be challenging because your favorite posture is frequently chosen early in life.

Recommended pillow types according to your Sleeping Positions:

Back Sleepers

If you sleep on your back, select a pillow that conforms to your head and neck to provide proper neck support. Water pillows or memory foam pillows are both fantastic options. They maintain their shape while adapting to the structure of your body.

Side Sleepers

A firm pillow is a wonderful choice if you sleep on your side. The majority of the pillow should be placed beneath your neck rather than your head to assist maintain your spine aligned.

A pillow with a gusset is also useful. The seams on all four sides of a gusset pillow are stitched into rectangular panels to allow the stuffing to adapt when you move your head. There are only two sewn-together elements in a pillow without a gusset: a top and a bottom. In order to maintain their spine upright, side sleepers may require a special pillow to position between their legs.

Stomach Sleepers

When you sleep on your stomach, you’re placing strain on your back. Your spine is arched, and your neck is twisted to the side. If you sleep on your stomach, use simply a thin pillow or no pillow at all to relieve stress on your neck.

Options in Pillow Materials

A variety of pillows are available to help ease neck pain while you sleep.

Memory foam and latex pillows are the most popular among sleepers. Latex and memory foam both give support and aid in the reduction of neck fatigue. Other options are, nevertheless, accessible.

Memory Foam Pillows

These pillows can stretch and adjust to our bodies’ curves and effortlessly return to their original shape. Memory foam pillows are different from ordinary pillows in that they conform to the shape of your spine, preventing you from being misaligned and alleviating neck pain. These come as a solid piece or with shredded foam filling.

Brands to Choose from

TEMPUR-Essential Support Pillow

The TEMPUR-Essential Support Pillow from TEMPUR-PEDIC is a light support pillow that’s perfect for back and stomach sleepers who don’t like their pillows to be overly rigid. The memory foam core adapts to the weight of the head to relieve pressure while not pushing too far back. The pillow is extra-soft, thanks to the TEMPUR material’s lightness. It’s also thinner than many other pillows, which may assist stomach sleepers to avoid neck pain.

 Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

People who sleep in any position might like the Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow. Its fill is shredded memory foam, which lets you to tailor the support to your preferences. The ventilated bamboo cover is designed to keep your head cool at night, and the fill is strong but soft and incredibly comfortable, with the right amount of firmness and give.

Latex Pillows

Natural or synthetic latex can be used to make them. Latex pillows, often known as rubber pillows, provide soft cushioning and solid support. The latex is usually shredded to make this type of cushion, which means it may be modified with more or less fill depending on the severity of your neck ache.

Brands to Choose from

Purple Harmony

The Purple Harmony Pillow is designed to support your neck, keep you cool, and help you fall asleep quickly. It includes a natural latex core, which keeps it cooler than other memory foam choices. People who find memory foam pillows excessively hot might like the Purple Harmony pillow. Over 1,500 air passages in the pillow keep air circulating and heat away from the head.

The Purple Harmony Pillow is available in two sizes. The standard pillow is 6.5 inches thick. For back sleepers, some stomach sleepers, and petite persons who sleep on their sides, this could be a decent option. Side sleepers who want more support to keep their heads aligned with their spine may benefit from the taller version of the pillow.

Saatva Latex Pillow

For persons who have pressure points in their neck, the Saatva Pillow is a suitable choice. The pillow is made up of an American-made Talalay latex core covered in a smaller, removable pillow filled with delicate micro-denier fibers. To give more cushioning, these fibres have the same consistency as down or down alternatives.

If you sleep on your back, keep the smaller pillow in place for maximum thickness, or remove it to reduce the loft for more comfortable side sleeping.

Ergonomic Pillows

These are designed to offer adequate cervical support while avoiding excessive head elevation. According to medical professionals, the height of the pillow has a major impact on the pressure placed on the neck and head.

Brands to Choose from

Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow

Both back and side sleepers will benefit from the Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow. For different types of sleepers, the centre dips down to cradle the head while sleeping and supports optimal spine alignment.

The robust cervical roll supports the neck while the headrests in the contour for back sleepers. A larger neck roll on one side of the pillow provides greater support, while a smaller neck roll on the other side provides less support.

The side regions are higher for side sleepers, providing for the optimal neck position.

The pillow’s adaptability also makes it a good choice for folks who change positions during the night.

 EPABO Memory Orthopaedic Pillow

The ergonomic contour of the EPABO Memory Orthopaedic Pillow may suit back and side sleepers. The head is cradled by the contoured shape, which helps to keep the spine aligned and at rest. This permeable memory foam pillow might be a little cooler than other memory foam pillows. Importantly, the pillow may be adjusted to fit the individual. It has a removable piece of foam in the back that might allow folks who find the pillow too high lower their head resting position.

TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

TEMPUR-original PEDIC’s contoured TEMPUR-Neck Pillow is an extremely firm pillow that provides substantial support for back or side sleepers suffering from neck pain.

To satisfy the needs of different sleepers and body sizes, the pillow is available in thicknesses ranging from 3–4.5 inches.

The pillow is composed of extra firm TEMPUR material, which supports the neck and aligns the head while sleeping on the side or back.

Down and Poly-fill Pillows

These are created with the use of animal products. Geese and ducks’ back, wing, and chest feathers are used. Down pillows, unlike pillows made of man-made fibres, may be regenerated and re-cased. Pillows made of down come in a variety of densities. Poly-fill Pillows are a non-allergenic synthetic alternative to down pillows that replicates the sensation of real down. These are the two most popular pillow fillings. They don’t have a lot of stiffness, but they’re soft and flexible, so they’re a nice option for neck pain sufferers.

Brands to Choose from

DOWNLITE Extra Soft Down Pillow

The DOWNLITE Extra Soft Down Pillow is a duck down pillow that is ideal for those who want a soft pillow. Its flat-form is ideal for stomach sleepers who suffer from neck problems. It compresses flat enough to sleep on your stomach comfortably, but it’s fluffy and cradles your neck. It also keeps you cool and comfortable all night.

Sleep Artisan Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow

The Sleep Artisan Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow is filled with an antibacterial and hypoallergenic unique blend of organic latex and down alternative poly-fill microfiber. The shape of the pillow is unusual, as it is a thin rectangle with a curvature on one side. There are no petroleum-based chemicals present, nor is there any significant odor.

Buckwheat Pillows

It’s a traditional Japanese pillow made out of the husks of buckwheat seeds. Under compression, they are springy, but they give solid, contoured support for optimum head and neck posture.

Brands to Choose from

Hullo Buckwheat Pillow

Many individuals prefer the Original Hullo Buckwheat pillow, for an all-natural, adaptable option. Thousands of buckwheat hulls, rather than foam or fibres, are used to make these pillows. These hulls support the head while simultaneously adapting to it. Some sleepers may experience less compression as a result, resulting in a more restful night’s sleep.

The pillow doesn’t become hot because to the naturally permeable hulls. By adding or removing hulls from buckwheat pillows, people can customize them to fit almost any sleeping style or need.

These pillows are a good all-around solution for ergonomic support because of their personalised character.

 Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow

The Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow helps to minimise stiffness and headaches by supporting the head and neck. At the neck area, the hulls shift and lift, allowing your head to descend into correct alignment. This aids in the alleviation of persistent neck pain.

Water Pillows

When you switch from back to side sleeping, the Water Pillow automatically supports your head and neck, ensuring that your head and neck are properly aligned.

Brands to Choose from

Mediflow Water Pillow

Mediflow Water Pillow mixes poly-cotton pillow fiber with a water-based support layer. By lowering neck pain, this water-based technology enhances a person’s sleep quality. The Water Pillow can be adjusted to fit the demands of back and side sleepers by adding or removing water from the membrane. Because the water inside the pillow responds to the head’s movements as needed, this technique may assist eliminate the need to readjust the pillow during use.

Gusseted Pillows

 A gusset is an additional piece of fabric that helps a pillow expand or give it stability. The pillow feels consistently pleasant no matter how you sleep on it because the filling has more room to move around. The area between the sleeper’s head and shoulders is better filled by a gusseted pillow.

Brands to Choose from

Cool Sleep Gusseted Pillow

The Cool Sleep Gusseted Pillow is made up of conforming memory foam and cooling gel. It has thick side panels to bridge the gap between your ear and shoulder. Whether you sleep on your back or side, this keeps your head at the appropriate height. All of these things can help you avoid neck pain.

Horseshoe Pillows

A horseshoe cushion provides excellent neck support when traveling by vehicle, airline, or train. If you suffer from neck aches, don’t sleep on the plane with your head drooping to the side. Ensure that your neck is properly supported.

The Last Words

With certainly changed habits, you can avoid neck pain caused by stress or muscle tension. Spend as little time as possible in situations that strain your neck. Check your pillow and sleeping posture if your neck pain gets worse in the morning. Use a pillow that supports your neck. Sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bowed is not recommended.