Relieve Neck Pain: Find The Best Cervical Support Pillow
Contents
Everyone needs and wants a good night’s sleep. That’s a given. However, too often a restful slumber can be hindered by sleeping problems and neck pain.
Your neck pain might be the result of poor posture or injury. MedlinePlus lists sleeping in an awkward position as a common cause, so your pillow is worth a look.
We’ve all had those restless, bad-pillow nights. Nights where it can feel like you’ve been trying to rest your head on the hard, steep slopes of Mount Everest. Or it can feel as if you’ve spent it laying on a pillow so flat you may have been better off sleeping on a piece of paper.
One simple step that may help is to find the right pillow. In particular, a pillow with excellent cervical support. This kind of pillow is one that contours to the shape of your neck, and supports your cervical spine.
However, finding the right pillow can definitely be a challenge.
The Criteria: What makes a great Cervical Support Pillow?
I know finding a good pillow can seem like a daunting task. There are hundreds of shapes, sizes, and brands to choose from.
On top of that, there's the ever present fear of it not being the right pillow for you.
So how do we know what kind of pillow to look for?
Some aspects to consider are size and filler material. One of the more popular and highly praised filler materials is memory foam.
Another thing to consider is if you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, or belly sleeper. Knowing which position you sleep in can help you determine which pillow will best suit your needs, and if you're a stomach sleeper you may want to try and alter your sleeping habits, as this position itself can cause neck pain.
Last but certainly not least, the pillow must support your cervical spine. Now the big question would have to be, “Which pillow is the best cervical pillow?”
Product Overview
To answer that question, it seems one has to look no further than Amazon. The Snuggle –Pedic Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Kool-Flow Covering seems to have everything that anyone could want in a pillow.
The name is long, but the idea is simple. It's filled with shredded memory foam, which keeps it lightweight and lets you adjust the fill.
The pillow also features a covering made of micro-vented fabric that allows air to circulate through the pillow, and keep it cool, all through the night.
Lastly, the shredded foam conforms to your head and neck, which helps keep your neck in line with your spine while you sleep.
Other features to check on the current listing:
- Warranty, trial period and customization options (these terms change, so confirm them before you buy)
- Available sizes
- Great Customer Support
Pros
Buyers often describe this pillow as comfortable and lightweight, with good head and neck support. Some say it eased their morning neck stiffness, but that's personal experience, not clinical proof.
Because you can add or remove fill, it can suit side, back and stomach sleepers. The brand has offered customization, so check the current terms before you order.
Cons
No product in the world is without a few cons. However, the Snuggle-Pedic has very few, and can easily be remedied.
It seems that a few reviews have complained about a slight “smell” when receiving the pillow, but this seems to be something that most if not all shredded foam pillows have.
To fix this some simply tossed it into their dryer, or let it air out before using it.
Others claim that once they put a pillow case onto the Snuggle-Pedic they never noticed any type of smell.
A few reviews complained about the pillow being too hard or lumpy. Adjusting the amount of fill can help, and you should check the warranty terms if it doesn't work out.
Conclusion
The Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is a solid, adjustable option if you want a pillow that supports your neck.
A pillow can make sleep more comfortable, but it can't treat a neck condition. If your neck pain is severe, follows an injury, lasts more than a few weeks, or comes with numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Sources
- Neck Injuries and Disorders, MedlinePlus
- Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings, Nature and Science of Sleep (PMC)
