15 Best Pillows For Neck Pain And Headaches In 2023, Per Doctors

<p>If you’re sitting uncomfortably at your desk all day, craning down to look at your screen, it makes sense that your neck is aching. A neck pillow can help keep your neck in the correct <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a28385621/best-posture-correctors/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_d_bm_comm_org_us_a28385621&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oJNs_ZxYNL-6IMK8A9WhHYXw-8WUsBoclIwuHAZ6BNhwgI6-SfSp24aAieBEALw_wcB” target=”_blank”>posture</a> as you sleep, so you don’t exacerbate the problem throughout the night. </p><p>Sometimes <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g36730214/best-neck-massagers/” target=”_blank”>neck pain</a> is a more serious issue, though, and it might warrant a visit to the doctor’s office. “Anytime the pain level is at a five or more out of 10, then you should see a physical therapist or doctor,” Dr. Fischer advises. Additionally, if your pain is the result of an injury, you should see a doctor immediately. If your pain isn’t alarming, a neck pillow is a totally valid option for easing your upper body aches. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What should I look for in a pillow for neck pain? </h2><p>The most important thing to consider when shopping for the best pillow for you…is you. Not to sound <em>too </em>cliche about it, but your height, weight, and sleeping patterns play a large role in the kind of pillow that would provide you the best support. Here are a few factors you can also consider. </p><p><strong>How firm it is</strong></p><p>The firmness you should seek out is most dependent on the type of sleeper you are: side, back, or stomach. </p><ul><li>If you are a <strong>back sleeper</strong>, the thinner the pillow the better, says William Hatten, a chiropractor and owner of <a href=”https://www.drwilliamhatten.com/aboutme” target=”_blank”>Hatten Family Chiropractic</a>. When you sleep on your back, your body is pretty aligned with the mattress. </li></ul><ul><li>If you <strong>sleep on your side</strong>, then you want the width of the pillow to fill in the gap between your shoulder and ear as you lay down—likely the thickest. A firm is usually better at providing support, and especially plush ones, like down, aren’t recommended by Hatten. “They don’t offer any support,” he says.<br></li><li>If you <strong>sleep on your stomach</strong>, Hatten recommends a “medium-t0-thick” pillow. Stomach sleepers also typically sleep on the edge of their bed, per Hatten, so a pillow of that size will keep your neck aligned.</li></ul><p>The bottom line: back sleepers can get away with a thinner pillow, but firmer is better for side and stomach sleepers, per Hatten. He also recommends <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a28945567/best-custom-pillows/” target=”_blank”>a body pillow</a> for side and stomach sleepers to keep their body from “contorting” while sleeping, which can also lead to neck pain. </p><p><strong>Loft</strong></p><p>Luckily, most lofts on the pillows on this list are adjustable, but loft is critical to whether you’ll end up with neck pain or not. “You want your neck to be straight [while sleeping],” says Hatten. If your neck is not aligned with your spine while lying on your mattress and pillow, the loft of your pillow is too high and you’re likely to end up with neck pain. <br></p><p><strong>Shape </strong></p><p>If you’re dealing with a specific neck issue or want to target an area of your body/neck, a specially-shaped pillow is worth considering. <a href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BKVG42X” target=”_blank”>Cervical pillows</a> (pillows with dips that mold to your neck) are great for targeting your neck if it’s prone to pain, but not essential to keeping you from developing any. Others that wrap directly around your neck, such as the<a href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6LCW58″ target=”_blank”> Calming Comfort</a> option on this list, are great for alleviating pain that’s already developed. However, a typically-shaped memory foam pillow is your best option for sleeping, says Hatten.</p><p>Below, shop the 15 best pillows for neck pain, according to doctors and rave reviews. <br></p>” />