Pillow review
Have you ever woken up with a kincked neck? Wondering if you slept wrong on it? Do you have the right pillow?
I get asked this question frequently, so I put together a little guide to help you get the right pillow for you.
There are a few things that you need to consider when picking the right pillow.
- What position do you sleep in?
- How flexible is your upper back?
- How soft/firm is your mattress?
What position do you sleep in?
Back and side sleeping is better for your neck than sleeping on your stomach. If you are having chronic neck issues and you sleep on your stomach, then training yourself to sleep on your back or side is the first step to help with your neck.
The key point to keep in mind while you sleep is to sleep with your neck aligned with your back. Avoid sleeping with your head tilted too far to the right, left, forwards, backwards or rotated to the right or left. This will help keep your neck in a safe position while you sleep.
Generally you’ll need a thicker pillow when you sleep on your side compared to when you sleep on your back. You’ll also have a pillow with a thicker rim to give some good neck support while sleeping.
How flexible is your upper back?
Side sleeping needs a thicker pillow then when sleeping on your back, with one caveat:
If you have a kyphotic back and you can’t flatten your upper back, you’ll need a thicker pillow when sleeping on your back.
Test it out. Lay on your back on the floor. If you cannot lay on your back and keep your chin tucked in while keeping your head on the floor then you will need a thicker pillow when on your back.
If you can keep your chin tucked in while laying your back then you’ll need a smaller pillow.
How soft/firm is your mattress?
If you have a softer mattress, you’ll need a thinner pillow compared to sleeping on a firm mattress. If you think about it, with a soft mattress your body will sink into the mattress but your head doesn’t. So a thinner pillow will make up for that and vice versa with a firm mattress and thicker pillow.
So here are a few pillows that I have tried and here is what I think about them:
Pillow Cube:
Feel: Soft, memory foam
Sleep style: Side
Other: Small. If you move a lot while sleeping you’ll have to adjust this pillow along with you. Easy to pack on trips though. Maybe too big for those with small shoulders.
Purple Pillow
Feel: Different. It’s like sleeping on a small air vent blowing cool air.
Sleep style: Back or Side (with pads)
Other: Comes with some pads to change the size of the pillow
It is cool in temperature. Good for those who get hot at night
Pillowise
Feel: Soft or firm, Dutch memory foam
Sleep style: Side or Back (measure for the right size of pillow)
Other: Measure your size to get the right size of pillow for you. It has a great thicker edge to support your neck.
8 different sizes.
Apple D-core pillow
Feel: Soft or Firm
Sleep style: Side & Back
Other: You can sleep either way. Great neck support for sleeping on your back. Might not be best if your back is really kyphotic or stiff.
My favorite pillow.
Chiroflow pillow
Feel: Soft just like a generic pillow
Sleep style: Back or Side
Other: Water base pouch under so you can change the size of the pillow.
Sleeping positions and the pillows
Side sleepers:
Pillow cube
Pillowise
D-Core
Purple pillow (with pads)
Back sleeper:
Pillowise
D-core pillow
Chiroflow (less water)
Purple pillow
That is the sleeping guide for pillows. What is the best one for you?
Stomach sleepers!
Dr. Wadsworth, but I sleep on my stomach and I can’t sleep any other way? What do you do?
Okay, so sleep is probably one of the most important things needed when it comes to your health. So as I stated before, sleeping on your back and side are best to prevent neck pain. But here is one other way to sleep on your stomach and limit the risk or pain to your neck.
Sleeping on your stomach with a fairly thick pillow, but not under your head. Instead sleep with the pillow under your chest. This will raise your body up, giving your head some space to lay in a more neutral position and not rotated to the right or left just so you back breath while sleeping. But as important as sleeping is, breathing is vital. And if you sleep on your stomach you have to turn your head just so you can breathe and that is where your neck suffers for hours sleeping like that.
There is a pillow guide for you. If you have any questions, come see me and I’ll help you. If you’re still dealing with neck pain, then see a medical provider and get evaluated and treated for it. Don’t put it off any more.
We are located in Provo, Utah serving those in the Utah Valley area 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Thank you and sleep well.