Pillow that will stop neck pain

[Shellydon]

Every morning I wake up with serious neck and shoulder pain. I feel like my pillow is to blame. I have no idea what kind of pillow would work for me.   I am an active sleeper, I move all night, sometimes while I am asleep and sometimes I wake up and adjust. I tried a My Pillow, but sent it back, it was lumpy. Any suggestions on a miracle pillow? 

[KungFuPanda]

I got a cheap $15 foam neck pillow at Ikea and I love it like my children.  I travel with it.  I had zero expectations when I bought it, but now I can't live without it. 

Oh good gravy.  They changed it ever-so-slightly.  I hope they haven't ruined my life.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/rosenskaerm-ergonomic-pillow-side-back-sleeper-90444371/

[Shellydon]

4 minutes ago, KungFuPanda said:

I got a cheap $15 foam neck pillow at Ikea and I love it like my children.  I travel with it.  I had zero expectations when I bought it, but now I can't live without it. 

Oh good gravy.  They changed it ever-so-slightly.  I hope they haven't ruined my life.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/rosenskaerm-ergonomic-pillow-side-back-sleeper-90444371/

I have to get a bookshelf at IKEA next week. I'll pick one up

[Carol in Cal.]

I stayed at a Marriott Hotel in November and liked the pillows so much that I asked for them for my birthday.  They are not too hard and not too soft, lofty downy but non-allergenic (I am usually extremely sensitive to feathers and down, don't know how they did it.)  I sleep on my side and this has fixed my neck and shoulder issues.

[Pawz4me]

Pillows are so tricky. Reviews and recommendations are mostly useless, because what works for one person can be horrible for another. That said, I've found that latex foam pillows are best for me. I got mine several years ago at Bed Bath and Beyond and I don't think they carry that one anymore, but it's similar to this. Good luck--having the right pillow really does make an absolute ton of difference in sleep quality.

Edited January 9, 2020 by Pawz4me

[MEmama]

I suffered from pillow induced neck pain and tried several (including a cheap foam one from Target like the IKEA pillow mentioned above, which didn’t work for me but DS loves). I finally found my dream pillow at a Bed bath and beyond; it is quite hard and has cooling gel on both sides which helps prevent me from overheating as well. 
Agreeing with Pawz, though. Pillow needs are so individual and take a lot of trial and error to find the right one. 
Good luck. The right pillow really can make all the difference.

[J-rap]

I found my perfect pillow, recommended by someone on WTM:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725349FN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But, it's weird how sensitive each person is to particular pillows.  You might have to try out 30 pillows before you find the one that works for you.  My dd found a memory foam wedge pillow that was her perfect pillow.  When she had to get a new one (moved overseas and couldn't bring it with her) she thought she found a near identical one (looked and felt the same, but different brand), but something about it must have been just a hair different, because her neck began hurting again.  When she came home and used her old pillow again, the neck ache went away.  Anyway, that just shows you how very sensitive each person is to a very specific type of pillow.

[Laura Corin]

I use a contour pillow, similar to this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecosafeter-Cervical-Supportive-Washable-Hypoallergenic/dp/B07CK62SSQ/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=contour+pillow&qid=1578570948&s=kitchen&sr=1-5

[Farrar]

I use a contour pillow similar in shape to both the Ikea one and the one Laura linked. Here's the difference between the two of those though. The Ikea pillow is supportive foam. The one linked on Amazon is memory foam. In my experience, the memory foam sinks during the night. Anywhere that you're putting pressure on with memory foam conforms to the pressure - supposedly in order to let you get into a natural sleep state. It's horrid for me. I go to sleep with my neck supported and wake up with my chin pressed to my chest if I'm laying on my back (though I also sleep on my side - I'm also  a mover at night). Because my neck is putting pressure on it, it makes my neck sink down with zero support. The other thing to know about memory foam is that it soaks up body heat and some people find it too hot in the summer (I don't actually, but it's a big complaint for some).

Finding other regular supportive foam pillows is nigh on impossible. For me, the Ikea pillow is almost right, but a teeny bit too thin. Adding another pillow makes it too thick. Sigh. I have an older foam pillow from before they stopped being widely sold. Hearing that they tweaked the Ikea pillow is actually a bit exciting for me. I might go get another one and test it.

I have also tried bamboo pillows like the one linked and I find them to be a second best option for me personally, depending on the size. So you might like that. They're supportive but soft in a very unique way - different from other pillow materials.

Edited January 9, 2020 by Farrar

[SKL]

I stopped sleeping on a pillow many years ago.  But then I got neck pain from my head wanting to turn so my face rested on the bed for long periods.  So I started using a u-shaped seed-filled "neck pillow" - I arrange it so that my head is still flat on the bed, the bottom of the "u" supports but does not lift my neck, and the two sides discourage my head from flopping right and left during the night.  This is really the only thing that works for me.

I don't move around much at night, but when I do, I make sure that I have some sort of support to keep my neck and head in line just like they would be if I were lying flat.  So I will temporarily use a pillow if I'm lying on my side to keep my neck from flopping.

[happi duck]

I sleep on my side with two pillows.  The bottom pillow is memory foam with a cut out for my shoulder.  The top pillow is a cheap pillow that makes it high enough and also keeps my ear off the memory foam (I hate that feeling). I'm not assuming my set up will work for anyone else but an encouragement that some pillow or combo will eventually work.I

At hotels I have good luck with using the pillow on its side directly under my neck.  Not sure how else to explain that!

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I am the person who recommended the Snuggle-pedic pillow that J-rap linked above.  It is my all time favorite pillow because, as a side sleeper, I need my neck supported while keeping my head in a neutral position. And, like J-rap, my ear hurts if the pillow is too firm. I also need a pillow that will stay put through the night, and not slide out from under me, or lose it's supportive shape (allowing my neck to sag). The Snugglepedic does all those things. It's filled with a mix of shredded memory foam and shredded "regular" foam. It's not lumpy (like the My Pillow - yuk). It molds to your shape and retains that shape through the night. It is heavy, so it doesn't move. It's covered with bamboo fabric, so it's not hot (though, sometimes I have hot flashes/night sweats, and I'll need to flip it over). You can wash the whole pillow, or just the cover.  

When I travel, and I can't take it with me, I'll use two hotel pillows.  I'll roll or fluff a soft one to support my neck, and squish that up next to another pillow for my head. That does a pretty good job, in a pinch, but I'm always happy to come home to my Snugglepedic.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725349FN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ETA: I forgot one other feature. The Snuggle-pedic is adjustable. The manufacturer (a USA company) will make it custom, or adjust it if it's not right for you. I just watched the video on the Amazon page, and it looks like they're putting zippers on the inner cover now, so you can order it with extra fill, then remove it incrementally until it's right for you. Check it out. It really is the best pillow I've ever found. (I don't get paid to endorse them.)

Edited January 9, 2020 by Suzanne in ABQ

[school17777]

I got a Bucky pillow recommended on here some years ago.  I had one just like it, but with a different name.  It moves to adjust to you.  It’s slightly noisy which may bother some people.

I get the smallest pillow - I find it more adaptable to my needs.

Edited January 9, 2020 by school17777

[Laura Corin]

5 hours ago, Farrar said:

I use a contour pillow similar in shape to both the Ikea one and the one Laura linked. Here's the difference between the two of those though. The Ikea pillow is supportive foam. The one linked on Amazon is memory foam. In my experience, the memory foam sinks during the night. Anywhere that you're putting pressure on with memory foam conforms to the pressure - supposedly in order to let you get into a natural sleep state. It's horrid for me. I go to sleep with my neck supported and wake up with my chin pressed to my chest if I'm laying on my back (though I also sleep on my side - I'm also  a mover at night). Because my neck is putting pressure on it, it makes my neck sink down with zero support. The other thing to know about memory foam is that it soaks up body heat and some people find it too hot in the summer (I don't actually, but it's a big complaint for some).

Finding other regular supportive foam pillows is nigh on impossible. For me, the Ikea pillow is almost right, but a teeny bit too thin. Adding another pillow makes it too thick. Sigh. I have an older foam pillow from before they stopped being widely sold. Hearing that they tweaked the Ikea pillow is actually a bit exciting for me. I might go get another one and test it.

I have also tried bamboo pillows like the one linked and I find them to be a second best option for me personally, depending on the size. So you might like that. They're supportive but soft in a very unique way - different from other pillow materials.

I agree - mine is supportive foam, not memory foam.

[Shellydon]

I tried a pillow that was shredded memory foam and found it lumpy. I wonder If I should try some more brands. I move a lot at night.  Fitbit says I am restless 6 hours per night, so I wonder if a contour pillow would work. I am going to need to order pillows that can be returned. 

[PeterPan]

My neck has been cranky like this for a number of years. Turns out I have arthritis in my neck and need to keep it up with better chiropractic. Keeping pillows right helps, but at least I know now it was me, not my pillow, sigh. I'm trying to figure out if exercise would help it. I mean, exercise helps my arthritis in my back, hehe, so why not in my neck? 

[J-rap]

10 hours ago, Suzanne in ABQ said:

I am the person who recommended the Snuggle-pedic pillow that J-rap linked above.  It is my all time favorite pillow because, as a side sleeper, I need my neck supported while keeping my head in a neutral position. And, like J-rap, my ear hurts if the pillow is too firm. I also need a pillow that will stay put through the night, and not slide out from under me, or lose it's supportive shape (allowing my neck to sag). The Snugglepedic does all those things. It's filled with a mix of shredded memory foam and shredded "regular" foam. It's not lumpy (like the My Pillow - yuk). It molds to your shape and retains that shape through the night. It is heavy, so it doesn't move. It's covered with bamboo fabric, so it's not hot (though, sometimes I have hot flashes/night sweats, and I'll need to flip it over). You can wash the whole pillow, or just the cover.  

When I travel, and I can't take it with me, I'll use two hotel pillows.  I'll roll or fluff a soft one to support my neck, and squish that up next to another pillow for my head. That does a pretty good job, in a pinch, but I'm always happy to come home to my Snugglepedic.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725349FN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ETA: I forgot one other feature. The Snuggle-pedic is adjustable. The manufacturer (a USA company) will make it custom, or adjust it if it's not right for you. I just watched the video on the Amazon page, and it looks like they're putting zippers on the inner cover now, so you can order it with extra fill, then remove it incrementally until it's right for you. Check it out. It really is the best pillow I've ever found. (I don't get paid to endorse them.)

I'll be forever grateful to you for recommending this pillow!  🙂  I can't believe what a difference it makes to my sleep comfort.  

[KungFuPanda]

14 hours ago, Farrar said:

I use a contour pillow similar in shape to both the Ikea one and the one Laura linked. Here's the difference between the two of those though. The Ikea pillow is supportive foam. The one linked on Amazon is memory foam. In my experience, the memory foam sinks during the night. Anywhere that you're putting pressure on with memory foam conforms to the pressure - supposedly in order to let you get into a natural sleep state. It's horrid for me. I go to sleep with my neck supported and wake up with my chin pressed to my chest if I'm laying on my back (though I also sleep on my side - I'm also  a mover at night). Because my neck is putting pressure on it, it makes my neck sink down with zero support. The other thing to know about memory foam is that it soaks up body heat and some people find it too hot in the summer (I don't actually, but it's a big complaint for some).

Finding other regular supportive foam pillows is nigh on impossible. For me, the Ikea pillow is almost right, but a teeny bit too thin. Adding another pillow makes it too thick. Sigh. I have an older foam pillow from before they stopped being widely sold. Hearing that they tweaked the Ikea pillow is actually a bit exciting for me. I might go get another one and test it.

I have also tried bamboo pillows like the one linked and I find them to be a second best option for me personally, depending on the size. So you might like that. They're supportive but soft in a very unique way - different from other pillow materials.

Why don’t you buy a thin piece of foam at JoAnnes, cut it to size, and customize the thickness of your pillow? That might make it just right for you. 

[Farrar]

29 minutes ago, KungFuPanda said:

Why don’t you buy a thin piece of foam at JoAnnes, cut it to size, and customize the thickness of your pillow? That might make it just right for you. 

This is actually my plan for when my pillow is too dead to go on. I've been thinking about doing it.

Honestly, the curve on the Ikea pillow isn't perfect (though it's pretty good). I've also thought about carving one from a larger piece.

It's bonkers to me that it's so hard to buy a regular foam contour pillow.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

18 hours ago, Shellydon said:

I tried a pillow that was shredded memory foam and found it lumpy. I wonder If I should try some more brands. I move a lot at night.  Fitbit says I am restless 6 hours per night, so I wonder if a contour pillow would work. I am going to need to order pillows that can be returned. 

 

The Snuggle-pedic is shredded memory foam, but it's shredded very fine, and it's mixed with other types of foam, so it's soft and moldable, but also springy enough to keep its shape. It is totally returnable, either to have it adjusted to your specifications, or for a refund. If you watch the video on the Amazon page, they show what the fill looks like, and describe how they bend over backwards to make it work for you. (link in my previous post)