Life without sleep is bleak. While many people, if forced, can go 30 days without eating, the world record for going without sleep is only 11 days. That is because our bodies need to rest and recharge every day. But the quality of your sleep is important too.
Many people are unaware that the right pillow supports seven important bones of the neck and keeps your head supported. The wrong pillow can strain the neck and the head. If your pillow is too soft or too firm for your sleeping position it will not align with the spine or the neck and can lead to strains and pain. The best pillow contours the shape of your neck and spine, an orthopedic pillow.
An orthopedic pillow conforms to orthopedic guidelines to ensure the proper placement and support in one or more parts of the body will help relieve pain and provide a better night’s sleep. These pillows can help relieve many conditions including sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, poor circulation, acid reflux, lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain, whiplash, and more. Each pillow has its main focus and may come in different sizes and shapes to best focus on a particular ailment.
If you need an orthopedic pillow, chances are you’re suffering from chronic pain or pressure and will need to use the product constantly—even when you’re not asleep. The material needs to be not only durable and resistant to damage and warping, but also responsive.
Heat transfer is also an issue. Many of these products use memory foam but sometimes what you get in terms of comfort and contour, you lose in cooling and springiness. Removable and easily washable covers are also important—not only will you need to clean it regularly, but some of these pillows have highly stylized designs and very particular shapes, so you may not have the option to just use a third party pillowcase. As with any product that’s for long term use, try to buy an orthopedic pillow with a guarantee, return policy or warranty.
Pillows have been conventionally made with fiber (such as cotton) or foam, but orthopedic pillows are usually made with memory foam. This is because memory foam is a heat-sensitive material and acquires the shape of the part of the body touching it. However, it takes a while to get its original shape back when it’s no longer in use. Orthopedic pillows are also called therapeutic pillows because they claim to provide relief from a number of problems that interfere with sleep. From a back bad, sore knees, stiff neck, to sleep apnea and snoring, different orthopedic pillows relieve a number of ailments and sleep disorders by providing support to different parts of the body. In fact, there’s a pillow available for almost every part of the body, often used together with orthopedic mattresses and cushions.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Vivalife Wedge Pillow
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| #2 |  Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Memory Foam Back Cushion
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| #3 |  Healthex Cervical Neck Roll Pillow
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| #4 |  Queen Rose Pregnancy Pillow
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| #5 |  Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
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Types of Orthopedic Pillows
Cervical Pillow:
This pillow has a curved design to align with the contour of the head, neck, spine, shoulders, and back. A cervical pillow is one of the most common types of orthopedic pillows to help neck pain, sore back, respiratory distress, snoring and sleep apnea.
Neck Pillow:
Also called a travel pillow, which surely you have seen or used yourself on an airplane. They are shaped like a horseshoe and are designed to fit around the neck to keep the head supported during long hours of sitting up. This pillow is useful because when your head is resting against a seat it keeps you from getting pain and stiff neck.
Body Pillow:
The long, curvy design of this pillow is meant to support the entire body. A body pillow has curves that support the head, neck, shoulders and back, and can be used by anyone who needs better support to be able to fall asleep. It is also highly recommended for pregnant women because of the body support it provides.
Knee Pillow:
This is an hourglass-shaped pillow that is placed between the legs or under the knee to support the legs and keep the spine straight. A knee pillow provides support to the lower back by aligning the spine but also prevents friction between the legs and can help to promote blood circulation in the legs.
Lumbar Pillow:
This is a half-moon shaped pillow that’s used to support the lower back or the legs. When you are in a seated position, the lumbar pillow will support your lower back and provide the correct posture.
Wedge Pillow:
This wedge-shaped pillow provides a sloping surface to rest any part of the body. This is one of the most versatile orthopedic pillows because it can be used for any part of the body. You can use it to support your legs or knees or to support your head, neck, and shoulders in bed. It can also be used to relieve respiratory distress, snoring, or sleep apnea, or even to relieve symptoms of acid reflux.
Best Orthopedic Pillows
Vivalife Wedge Pillow
Specs:
- Dimensions: 25 x 24 x 10 inches
- Weight: 5.55 pounds
- 90-day sleep trial
Best for Wedge Pillow
The ten-inch Vivalife Wedge Pillow is rated medium firmness and is made from solid layers of gel-infused memory foam and high-density polyfoam. The size provides the right elevation for those looking to limit their snoring and eliminate acid reflux symptoms. It has a gel-infused top layer and a breathable removable cover. This will help if you tend to be a hot sleeper. While the cover can be machine washed, the pillow itself should only be spot cleaned. The Vivalife Wedge Pillow is backed by a 90-night sleep trial.
Pros
- Good for all weights
- Good for snoring
- Good for acid reflux
- Breathable machine washable cover
- Sleep trial
- Cooling gel
Cons
- Not for back pain
Who should buy this pillow:
If you have sleep apnea or acid reflux, the angle of this durable wedge pillow is perfect to allay your symptoms.
Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Memory Foam Back Cushion
Specs:
- Dimensions: 14″ x 13″ x 4″
- Weight: 726 Grams
- Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
Best Lumbar Pillow for Your Chair
This lumbar pillow is made with top-quality memory foam that provides both a sturdy and cushiony back support while sitting in your office chair all day. It is made with high-quality memory foam that will perfectly contour your spine and alleviate pressure to reduce pain in your lower back. It will help to improve your posture while you work on the computer by providing lumbar support. It has two adjustable straps on the pillow that makes it fit easily on any chair and keeps it from slipping. The straps make it easy to position to the middle of your spine for the proper alignment. The Everlasting Comfort lumbar support pillow has a breathable, hypoallergenic mesh cover that unzips and can be machine-washed. The manufacturer offers a lifetime replacement guarantee so this pillow is bound to provide long term support!
Pros
- Good for all sizes
- Hypoallergenic
- Breathable machine washable cover
- Adjustable straps
- Comes in multiple colors
- Quality Memory Foam
- Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
Cons
- If using in the car it can be too large for some car seats
Who should buy this pillow:
If you spend a lot of time in an office working on a computer, this top-rated lumbar support pillow to be used with office chairs is the best choice for you.
Healthex Cervical Neck Roll Pillow
Specs:
- Measures: 19 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 1.3 lbs
Best Cervical Pillow For Neck Pain
This highly rated cervical from Healthex will support your neck effortlessly while maintaining proper spine alignment, relieving your body of additional small aches and pains. This neck pillow for sleeping helps relieve the debilitating effects of sciatica, arthritis, back pain, post-surgery pain, helps the vertebrae stay relaxed, keeps the neck and shoulders aligned, and maintains the natural curvature of the spine. Wake up feeling fully refreshed as you sleep on this pillow made from the highest quality memory foam. It’s hypoallergenic bamboo cover is eco-friendly, breathable, dustproof and soft on your skin. The cover is removable and machine washable. The manufacturer offers a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee along with a limited two-year product warranty.
Pros
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Long warranty
- Zippered outer case
- Machine washable
- Hypoallergenic
- Memory foam interior
Cons
- May be too large for smaller people
Who should buy this pillow:
If you are waking up with aches and pains, this cervical neck pillow is a great way to align your spine to provide you with a deep and comfortable night’s sleep.
Queen Rose Pregnancy Pillow
Specs:
- Product size: 55 x 31 x 7.8 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
Best Pregnancy Pillow
This downy soft U-shaped body pillow has over 1,700 positive reviews with more than a quarter of them are from pregnant women. The pillow will support your legs, hips and belly completely while its shape allows you to roll over to the other side without having to reposition a bunch of single pillows. It can even help with postpartum by mitigating back pain and offering a wrap-around comfort. It comes in three different sizes to help you get the perfect fit for maximum comfort. The pillow creates a high spot for your head, supports your back with a U shaped design, features an ergonomic design for your belly, and support your legs to avoid cramping.
Pros
- Comes in multiple colors
- Four sizes you can choose from
- Versatile
- Machine Washable
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Runs short for tall people
Who should buy this pillow?
If you are pregnant and looking for orthopedic support, this pillow will provide you everything you need for comfort during your pregnancy and beyond.
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Specs:
- Dimensions: 26 x 19 in. Standard, 28 x 20 in Queen, King 35 x 20 in
- Weight: 4 pounds
- 90-night sleep trial
Best Full-Sized Pillow for Sleeping
Most orthopedic pillows are manufactured with various curves and contours that put your body into new positions for sleeping. But you can still get orthopedic support in a pillow shaped like what you recognize. The Snuggle-Pedic is shaped like a regular pillow but has the ability to support the head, neck and shoulders. It is filled with shredded memory foam and is breathable with a micro vented zipper outer cover that is machine washable. The pillow is fully customizable and has additional filling so you can find the perfect size that works for you. The memory foam is hypoallergenic and Snuggle-Pedic offers a 90-night sleep trial and is made entirely in the USA. You can purchase the pillow in three different sizes.
Pros
- Customizable
- Machine washable
- Good airflow for hot sleepers
- Versatile
- Hypoallergenic
- Comes with additional foam
- Made in the USA
- 90-night sleep trial
Cons
- May need fluffing
Who should buy this pillow?
If you need the support of an orthopedic pillow but are wary about using a pillow with a different shape than the pillows you are used to, the Snuggle-Pedic pillow provides you the support your body craves in a standard shaped pillow.
Last Words:
Often your medical professional will prescribe you an orthopedic pillow to combat your acute pain, but just because you don’t have a doctor’s note does not mean that the right orthopedic pillow can’t do wonders for your health and body. There are many different types of orthopedic pillows so it can be confusing finding the right one for you. Before you even set out looking for the right pillow, figure out a budget that you are comfortable spending. You will find a lot of pillows in many different price ranges but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank.