Neck pain is a common and sometimes debilitating issue. Some studies suggest that up to 70% of adults will at some point in their lives experience neck pain strong enough to interfere with their daily life. Because we spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, and because we don’t have active control over the position of our spine while sleeping, your neck pain may very well be due to your sleeping position. Dr. Lawrence Jay Epstein, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, says, “If you are waking with neck pain, headaches or backaches, it may be the position you are sleeping in, either because of how you are lying or how you are positioned by pillows.”
To help you find the right pillow to help mitigate your neck pain and get a good night’s sleep, we’ve looked at a variety of factors to determine which of the pillows in our Best Pillows of 2021 rating are best for sore or stiff necks. Because the needs of each sleeper vary greatly depending on sleeping position, we also provide guidance on what to look for in a pillow based on your sleeping position.
Top 10 best pillow in UK 2021
1.Tempur-Pedic Ergo Neck Pillow Firm Support
With a pronounced “roll” to cushion your neck whether you’re on your side or your back, this pillow is one of Perna’s top picks. He likes Tempur-Pedic’s dense memory foam because, as he says, “if you’re going to place your body weight on a pillow, you want to make sure it has some resistance to hold you in the proper position.” It hits the sweet spot of being firm enough to fill the space between your head and your shoulders while maintaining the natural curve but isn’t so stiff that it forces your neck into an unnatural position. It’s also available in a small size for those with smaller frames.
2.Zoey Sleep Side Sleeper Pillow
Zoey Sleep’s curved pillow is completely adjustable; you unzip it and choose the level of foam that best keeps your neck in place overnight. “If you sleep on your side or sleep on your back, this is a game changer,” raves one Amazon reviewer, who also appreciates that the curved design allows room for your shoulders.
3.Core Products D-Core Cervical Support Pillow
Don’t let the low price fool you — this pillow has plenty of features that make it great for neck pain. Its D-shaped center helps cradle your head while its cervical roll supports your neck while you sleep. It also has a firm feel for next-level support.
One Amazon reviewer says they found a comfortable sleep position with this pillow “almost immediately.” “I NEVER would have thought about a pillow with a hole in it… BUT if you have neck issues, this pillow is OUTSTANDING,” another wrote. “I used to constantly shift around, never was able to get comfortable, always woke up with a neck ache and sometimes a headache. I got this pillow and I sleep so much better.”
4.Mediflow Waterbase
This next option on our list is one of the leaders in the neck pain pillow market. As indicated by its name, this pillow uses water to provide head support as you sleep. According to Mediflow, their product was clinically proven in an independent Johns Hopkins study to reduce neck pain and improve overall sleep.
In addition to the water filling, the pillow includes a hypoallergenic fiber filling and a 100% cotton cover to complete the experience. Because this product is made in the USA, you can get some extra comfort in helping the local economy as well.
5.Mkicesky Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Made from premium quality slow rebound memory foam, this cervical pillow for neck pain will cradle your head and support your neck to ensure optimal sleeping posture- particularly if you sleep on your back or on your side. Ergonomically designed, this memory foam pillow responds to your body and contours to your neck and head shape to make sure you get tailored support throughout the night and its medium to high loft ensures that your neck will be in line with your spine if you sleep on your side or follow natural curvature when you sleep on your back.
Versatile and comfy, this pillow features two different heights to accommodate different needs so it will suit a wide variety of sleepers. To boot, in addition to helping deal with neck pain, the unique shape of this pillow makes it uniquely suited to help prevent snoring and reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
6.Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
The Panda pillow is one of the most well-known sleeping accessories in the UK today. Not only does this neck pain pillow have some of the most desirable reviews on the market, but it also comes with a 10-year guarantee. That’s more than you’ll get from most standard pillow provider.
This brand knows you’re going to love your new pillow, and it’s easy to see why. Along with luxurious visco memory foam, and a soft anti-allergenic bamboo cover, it comes with temperature regulating features that will help to keep you fresh in the summer. According to the company, the three levels of foam in the pillow are recommended by doctors to give you better neck support – particularly if you sleep on your side or stomach. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for back sleepers, as it’s a little too high for most. The Panda also comes with a chemical smell, to begin with, though this eases over time.
7.Milemont Memory Foam Pillow
Thanks to the Milemont Memory Foam Pillow, a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to cost you. The pillow is crafted from premium high-density memory foam with small channels to improve breathability, and it has a curved form that cradles your head at night. This shape supports the cervical curve of your neck, which is key to reducing neck pain. The pillow is covered in a washable case for easy maintenance, and it’s an unbeatable budget pick for all sleeping positions.
8.Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Sleep Innovations is an industry leader in top-of-the-line support pillows. Their memory foam pillow is excellent for preventing neck pain, because it has a special shape designed to cradle the head and neck, giving it a more comfortable feel no matter what your preferred sleep position is. The Contour Memory Foam Pillow has a recessed center that allows side sleepers to keep their heads in line with their spine, and also gives stomach sleepers the ability to lay with their face on the pillow without pressure from the filling blocking airways or making their skin hot. Back sleepers avoid having their neck curved and chin forced downward, a position that is ripe for pain in the morning, because the Contour Memory Foam Pillow has a curve that keeps the head form being pushed up and forward.Memory foam pillows are a great choice for people with neck pain in the morning. The strong foam core is pliable enough to move comfortably with your body as you sleep, allows freedom without ever losing support that is so vital to the neck during the night. The pillow casing is made of soft, luxurious terry cloth velour fabric that stays cool and comfortable. The cover is simple to remove, and washes in the machine. Sleeping on the Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Pillow is soothing, and made to give you a peaceful night’s sleep. All of the fabric and materials that comprise the pillow are hypoallergenic and allergy free. The Contour Memory Foam Pillow is made in the USA, and even helps reduce snoring and stress caused by insomnia.
9.Nature’s Guest Orthopedic Cervical Pillow
10.Perform Pillow Memory Foam Neck Pillow
This Perform neck pillow was designed by a chiropractor and is made with a special, high-density memory foam , it also boasts an orthopaedic design and is contoured to properly align your spine during sleep.
The eco-friendly foam is free from toxic heavy metals such as Lead and Mercury, and the cover is made with 43% bamboo and 56% polyester , it is also bacteria resistant and offers natural deodorisation.
Ideal for both back and side sleepers, the memory foam pillow and cover are also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant , it is available in 3 sizes: thin, for children or adults with smaller necks; medium for those who require average thickness and thick, for those who need extra thickness.
On the downside, this pillow is pricey and users complained that it did not contain enough memory foam for their liking , on the other hand, it is designed by a chiropractor to align your spine, so if you suffer from a stiff neck, cervical radiculopathy or related issues this is a good choice.
How can the right best pillow help you pain ?
Using the right best pillow can drastically improve your quality of sleep, allowing you to fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Using the wrong pillow, on the other hand, can worsen your existing neck pain or even cause discomfort and tension.
A pillow that’s too thin can put a strain on your shoulders, as your head will rest unnaturally, whereas too thick of a pillow can cause an uncomfortable bend in your neck. With the variety of pillow materials now available on the market, it’s easy to find a design that will relieve pressure in your body and help you attain restful sleep.
Summary
While there are some general pillow trends for all types of sleepers, the ideal pillow can vary for each person.
Changes in support levels, body positioning, and even material may make some people lean towards one type of pillow over another.
It may be best to look for companies that offer trial periods or find a way to try the pillow or pillow types before purchasing.
Understanding their sleep needs can help a person make the correct purchase the first time and find lasting relief from neck pain.