Best Pillows For Neck Pain

When considering what type of pillow you should purchase, remember that there are many pillows that are considered the best pillows for neck pain. Even researchers can't agree on what is the best pillow! So in this article I discuss what types are available, what are the pitfalls when choosing a pillow and how to find the one that suits you best.

The reason why there are many types of pillows for neck pain is because everyone's neck is not the same. Sally's neck is different from Randy's because Sally is only 5'3" tall and Randy is a quarterback for a football team. Although the normal curve in the human spine is the same whether you are 4'10" or 6'5" tall, a longer spine will result in a greater amount of height needed in the pillow to produce the correct spinal curve in the neck. This is why the best pillows for Sally are not the best pillows for Randy and vice versa.

Another consideration is the type of neck problems that someone may or may not have. If someone has disk herniation in the cervical spine, an ordinary pillow will not enhance his or her recovery. In this case, the best pillows for neck pain would be ones that can traction the neck slightly, thereby relieving some of the pressure on the nerves.

If someone sits at their desk and has a tendency to move their head and neck forward, this type of bad posture promotes neck pain. For good posture and the relief of neck and back pain, an imaginary line that connects the midpoint of the head, ear, neck, shoulder, waistline, hip, knee and ankle when viewing the body on a side view, should be straight. If not straight, then the body ergonomics is off. The best pillows for neck pain in this case would be orthopedic or chiropractic pillows.

If someone has arthritis in his or her neck, they generally have calcification on the vertebrae of the spine. This can greatly affect the range of motion that someone can move his or her neck. Those with arthritis generally have stiffness in the morning after awakening, and after moving around a little bit, their neck begins to loosen up and the pain begins to lessen. In this case, the best pillows for neck pain would be ones that support the natural curve of the cervical spine. Someone with arthritis should also consider a memory foam pillow which can adapt to the shape of your neck. The added comfort on the joints will reduce neck stiffness and relieve discomfort.

When choosing the best pillows for neck pain for your needs, do your homework. Many of the pillow manufacturers will list the types of people who will benefit the most from their pillows.

Sincerely
Ed Delaney