Best Orthopedic Wedge Pillow Reviews

It’s no coincidence that doctors ask their recovering patients to get plenty of bed rest: it’s because sleep can help the body recover and strengthen itself. This is where an orthopedic pillow comes into play, and a good one can make a world of difference.

Today’s topic is orthopedic wedge pillows, and to fully understand how useful they can be, we’re going explore the meaning of both orthopedic and wedge pillow, and see if this is something you might be interested in. There are hundreds of orthopedic pillows out there, making shopping a little bit overwhelming. We looked for the best ones the market has to offer and have narrowed down some of the top-rated products currently on the market. Read on to take a look at our best recommendations, as well as our buyer’s guide to help make your decision that much easier.

The Best Orthopedic Wedge Pillows

Characteristics of an Orthopedic Pillow

“Orthopedic” is a medical term generally used to describe a type of surgery or physical therapy. When a person needs to recover from surgery or an accident, orthopedic pillows can go a long way in aiding that recovery process.

If you’ve ever woken up with pains that could be caused by sleeping on the wrong type of pillow, you already have a hint at what orthopedic pillows are good for. Aside from being designed to be comfortable, they’re also good at managing pain.

These pillows are sometimes referred to as therapeutic pillows. If we were to consider the meaning of the word “therapeutic”, this would describe pillows that could help with non-orthopedic pains as well.

A therapeutic pillow can help with gastrointestinal problems, poor blood circulation, and even ease difficulties in breathing. Heartburn and acid reflux are on the list of marketing promises of newer therapeutic pillow brands, too.

Types of Orthopedic Pillows

When you’re looking to buy an orthopedic pillow, the most important thing is to stay informed about the specific pain that each type of pillow promises to help with. There’s a pillow for back pain, neck pain, pregnancy, post-injury pain and everything in between.

Choosing the best pillow can help you get a better night’s sleep. It’s just as important as your mattress, only it costs less. Would you compromise and simply buy the first mattress you come across? It’s likely that your answer is no. It takes research before investing this kind of money, and it should be the same thing with pillows. Why buy something that doesn’t suit you or your unique sleeping needs?

• Wedge Pillows

These pillows go by many different names, such as a triangle or TV pillow. You guessed it: they’re easily recognized because of their triangular shape. These are a common choice among people who like to sit in bed and watch TV, read, work on their laptops, and are also used for sleeping.

Their versatility has made them very popular, but they’re also available in orthopedic versions to help achieve a more comfortable sleeping position. They’re not always placed under the head, and can also be used even for lifting the legs to improve circulation.

Wedge pillows are available in many shapes and sizes, so always look out for the dimensions, especially the angle. Some of them are large enough to cover half the bed and have really elevated slopes. However, the most commonly bought wedge pillows have either a 15 or a 30-degree angle.

• Lumbar Pillows

The main characteristic that sets lumbar pillows apart from all other orthopedic pillows is that they aren’t meant to be used in bed. They generally have a strap or another means to secure them to a chair, and are commonly used by people who spend a lot of time doing office work and sitting down.

The main role of a lumbar pillow is to correct your posture when you’re sitting, as improper spinal alignment is a common cause for pain among people who have to sit down the entire time when they’re working.

However, the use of a lumbar pillow is not limited to a chair: it can also be used on a recliner, armchair, sofa and even in the car.

• Neck Pillows

Generally speaking, neck pillows were designed to support the necks of travelers who have to spend many hours on a plane, bus, train or car ride. It’s a common purchase among frequent travelers, especially when the long hours spent sitting down are accompanied by a nap.

These U-shaped pillows are recognized because of their design, which resembles the shape of a horseshoe. Those who purchase a cheap and low-quality neck pillow will see how ineffective it is. That’s because this pillow needs to have just the right size and construction to alleviate any potential neck pain when the body is in a resting position.

• Knee Pillows

These pillows have a very specific design that allows them to be placed comfortably in the knee area when you sleep on your side. The orthopedic knee pillow is dedicated solely to side sleepers. There’s a curve in the middle horizontal section of the pillow, which is normally placed between the thighs.

The purpose of these pillows is to prevent uneven weight distribution, while also keeping the body properly aligned. They’re most common among sleepers that suffer from sciatica pain, but they can also improve blood circulation and pregnancy-related pain.

• Body Pillows

Not all body pillows have orthopedic benefits, as some of them are designed exclusively to serve as hugging pillows. These lack the normal medical know-how that’s used in the construction of an orthopedic body pillow.

An orthopedic body pillow has specific features and carefully designed curves to provide the sleeper with a comfortable position that supports specific body parts. Body pillows are suitable for alleviating many types of pain, including head, neck, shoulder, leg and knee pain.

• Cervical Pillows

The cervical pillow is a more complex version of the head, neck and shoulder pillow. Depending on the model chosen, a cervical pillow can be used in a single sleeping position, or can be suitable for multiple positions.

Cervical pillows are great for snoring and sleep apnea, but can also help with neck/shoulder stiffness and pain.

Conclusion

Orthopedic wedge pillows are great in a number of scenarios and can serve both people who are looking for a more comfortable position in bed, as well as those who suffer from different types of pains and diseases, and therefore need such a pillow to help ease their pain.

Additional Resources

• Does a Wedge Pillow Help with Snoring?
• The Best Mattress Wedge Options