Pillows for back pain

Best pillows for back pain

Back pain is a common short-term problem. But if we sleep in a supported position, we can alleviate its impact. This article contains information about:

  • what a pillow for back pain is and who would use one
  • the features you should look for when purchasing such a pillow
  • how much pillows for back pain cost

 

It will also discuss fifteen different product options, considering their special features, their shape, and whether they suit all sleeping positions.

What is a pillow for back pain?

There are lots of different pillows for back pain because the back is supported by a group of bones that is crucial for our entire body: the backbone or spine. 

Pillows for back pain offer support, comfort, and improved spinal alignment for people struggling with back-related pain.

Pillows for back pain can be pillows that support the head and neck, the hips and/or the legs. You can choose from either a head/neck pillow or a body pillow. The latter includes wedge pillows and lumbar pillows.

Topics covered on this page

In a rush? Here is our best rated pillow for back pain

Why we rate this the best pillows for back pain

  • It is designed for sleepers that spend the night in a position on their side e.g. side or fetal.

  • Users should place the support pillow in the space between their knees and it will reduce their sciatic nerve pain, also promoting the health of their legs and spine and providing back pain relief.

  • Side sleepers often report that a leg and knee pillow is too ‘squishy and soft’. But this one is sturdy and holds its shape through the night.

  • This contour knee pillow is made of memory foam, specifically 100% Visco-elastic memory foam.

  • The pillow reacts to your body heat, and molds to your sleep position and knee form.

  • The pillow cover is both washable and breathable.

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This is rated our best value for money back pain

What you need to know

  • This knee pillow improves your sleep posture, providing chronic pain relief by placing your lower back, spine, hips and knees in proper alignment, or the best position for their health.

  • The support pillow is designed for sleepers who opt for a side sleeping position. It sits between the legs at knee-level.

  • This is one pillow you should judge by its cover, which is both hypoallergenic and washable.

  • The memory foam pillow is a great size: 11.4 x 7.9 x 7.1 inches, not taking up too much space for most side sleepers.

  • Users report the relieving effects of the pillow: it helps to ensure relief and comfort through the night.

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The best of the rest

What you need to know

  • The pillow supports the integrity of the spine, relieving pressure on your lower back and promoting a natural alignment or posture.

  • This supportive pillow or bed wedge is clinically proven to reduce lumbar pain or lower back pain.

  • Its wedge shape is ideal for providing lumbar support, reducing chronic pain.

  • The therapeutic pillow is designed to absorb and release heat to maintain an optimum sleep temperature for your comfort.

  • The memory foam bed wedge is made of bamboo and is eco-friendly. The cover is breathable, washable and hypoallergenic.

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What you need to know

  • In a market that targets on-their-back sleepers looking for a back support pillow for sleeping, this is one of the best pillows for back pain because it relieves discomfort outside the bedroom.

  • These therapeutic pillows for back pain address the lower back, providing lumbar support with a lumbar pillow  designed to sit at the base of a chair or seat.

  • The ergonomic pillow indirectly benefits the head and neck because it is designed to encourage the spine into its best position and alignment.

  • This contour pillow for back pain is one of the most practical options because the cushion can offer back pain relief while you are driving.

  • The pillow will help you back into good form and health with its heat-adjusting technology and convenient size.

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What you need to know

  • This knee pillow is the best pillow for customers with many different needs: improved circulation, reduced swelling, post-operation recovery and chronic pain relief.

  • While it looks like a knee pillow, it is also a leg pillow for back pain: taking care of your spine by placing your neck and spine in proper alignment

  • Made from high-density memory foam, the wedge pillow develops a ‘memory’ of your form, following your natural contours while retaining its shape.

  • This supportive, orthopedic wedge pillow reduces chronic pain and will improve your health and comfort if you are suffering from edema or varicose veins.

  • The wedge pillow cover is breathable and washable.

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What you need to know

  • While back pain relief and lumbar support are emphasized in its commercials, this memory foam pillow addresses many different parts of the body beyond the lower back such as the knees, hips and legs.

  • People who prefer a range of sleeping positions should choose this support pillow.  It is appropriate for back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers.

  • It is a half-moon shape rather than a wedge. It would be a good idea to place this orthopedic support pillow on your mattress in the aftermath of a knee replacement.

  • The pillow is made of 100% premium quality visco-elastic memory foam. Its convenient size and soft texture allow it to address chronic body pain wherever it is located.

  • Its cover is made of breathable and machine washable organic cotton.

  • If you struggle with cervical nerve pain, you can prop it under your neck while watching TV or to sleep for quick relief.

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What you need to know

  • Designed to properly align your spine, this memory foam pillow will guarantee your comfort in bed, giving you a good night’s sleep.

  • The CertiPUR-US certified premium memory foam pillow changes shape according to the pressure that your head and neck place on it.

  • When it arrives the  pillow appears small in size but that is because it is compressed in its packaging. It will expand to its normal plush size once unwrapped.

  • The cover is  soft and washable.

  • This therapeutic, support pillow will decrease pain in your body by placing it in a neutral position.

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What you need to know

  • The blended pillow cover is soft and breathable, reducing the discomfort you experience in bed during sleep.

  • The contour design molds to your form, whereas normal pillows are either too high or low.

  • It relieves pressure on your spine,  promoting a healthy orthopedic alignment of the shoulders and neck.

  • Its shape and size have been carefully developed to make a therapeutic, ergonomic product.

  • It will reduce body pain for a range of sleepers unless you have a cervical nerve problem.

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What you need to know

  • While finding a good sleep position in bed is important for chronic pain relief, this product addresses your back pain outside of the bedroom.

  • The pillow helps you achieve perfect alignment of the spine. It promotes health and comfort.

  • The pillow provides lumbar support and reduces body pain when you are sitting or driving.

  • It has a soft, washable mesh pillow cover.

  • It has two adjustable straps so you can attach it to any seat shape, as high or as low as you like.

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What you need to know

  • The pillow cover is designed for people looking for a long-term head and neck pillow. It is machine-washable.

  • This is the best neck pillow for pain in the head and neck. Unlike many pillows for neck, the memory foam material never loses its shape.

  • It is engineered to relieve pain and discomfort in the body for a good sleep at night.

  • By contouring to your head, neck and shoulders, it reduces pressure on the spine when you are lying on a mattress/bed.

  • It doesn’t matter if you change your position or don’t have a set sleeping position. The pillow suits back, stomach sleepers or side sleepers.

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What you need to know

  • These orthopedic pillows protect your back side while you are in bed/on a mattress.

  • The wedge pillow is not too small in size. It supports your entire torso or the trunk of your body,  making it one of the best pillows for back.

  • The high-density memory foam wedge targets the lower back. It provides lumbar support, relieving pressure on your spine.

  • If a good pillow cover is important to you, this soft, breathable cover regulates the heat of the wedge pillow all through the night while you sleep.

  • Although marketed as a lumbar pillow, it can provide comfort beyond the lumbar region. It can be used for  elevation of the legs or as a knee pillow.

  • The wedge pillow is suitable for side sleepers.

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What you need to know

  • This wedge pillow can be placed on a bed or mattress. It is good for relieving pain, pressure and discomfort relating to the spine.

  • For people struggling with lumbar (lower back pain), this support pillow will improve your sleep.

  • It is not suitable for all sleeping positions. You will not be able to turn onto your side if you are a side sleeper.

  • The support pillow ‘hugs’ the torso. As well as relieving lumbar pain, it puts you in the best position to avoid respiratory issues.

  • The orthopedic contour pillow reduces pressure on the muscles in your body.

  • The wedge pillow cover can be washed and regulates the heat of the pillow.

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What you need to know

  • The  mesh pillow cover prevents discomfort that results from accumulated heat. The cover is also breathable.

  • In a market that targets people’s sleeping positions, this pillow puts your lower back in the best position when you are seated (not in bed).

  • It is made of memory foam and molds to the curve of your spine and the back side of your body.

  • It is great at relieving lumbar (lower back) pain and pressure.

  • Our health is greatly affected by our sitting positions and posture. This fits the back of any chair and a person of any height

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What you need to know

  • This product is perfect for people experiencing pain, pressure and discomfort relating to their back side. It offers chronic pain relief and a corrected spine alignment.

  • It is more of a stretcher for your lower back than a pillow. But it can be placed on a bed or mattress.

  • The orthopedic cushion corrects the position of your spine without having to use difficult yoga positions.

  • It is a good option for people interested in relieving their lumbar/lower back pain.

  • It enhances the health of your body by improving your posture.

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What you need to know

  • This orthopedic head and neck pillow is made of memory foam. The memory foam is firm enough to support your head and neck so they are in a good position and posture.

  • This pillow will suit people who do not have a set sleeping position in bed. It accommodates side positions and stomach sleepers.

  • If you place this on your mattress, it will provide chronic pain relief because it has a hole designed to fit your head.

  • The pillow is adjustable. It has two different contour heights for your head, ensuring your comfort and health at night.

  • The pillow cover is breathable, so the temperature does not get too high or low while you sleep. The cover can be washed.

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Who would use pillows for back pain?

You can use pillows for back pain if you are affected by pressure and discomfort in the back area. If you suffer from a nerve problem, poor posture or a specific medical condition, pillows can offer crucial back pain relief.

Do pillows help with back pain?

For some people, simply sleeping on their back in bed is enough to reduce back pain. But pillows can be a source of comfort because they can offer lumbar support, correct the alignment of our spine or reduce pressure on our muscles.

If you have a specific medical condition, it can be a good idea to consult a medical professional such as a physiotherapist about the kind of pillow that would suit your health needs.

Can pillows give you back pain?

Pillows can indeed give us back pain, often because they are often too low or high for us. We might develop ‘pillow neck’ or a sore space between our head and shoulders when we wake up in the morning.

But the best pillows are designed to reduce back pain because they mold to the curve of our bodies.

What features to look for when buying a pillow for back pain?

The best pillows for back pain often share several important features. Some of these are:

Memory foam

Memory foam (often used in a contour pillow) molds to the shape of an individual’s body through a combination of pressure and heat. 

Heat technology

This is used for two reasons. Firstly the heat helps mold the shape of the pillow. Secondly, a breathable pillow cover regulates the heat of the pillow, preventing overheating.

Natural

A natural pillow might be more likely to be eco-friendly and have a neutral odor.

Area of back

Different pillows address different areas of the back e.g. the head, neck, and spine or lower back. A lumbar pillow is one that reduces lower back pain.

The size of the pillow will range from large to small depending on the area of focus.

Shape

Pillows come in different shapes. Common options are half-moon and wedge pillows.

What does a cheap pillow for back pain cost?

While a cheap pillow won’t necessarily be the best pillow for neck pains or back pain relief, there are several reasonably-priced options that use memory foam/ heat contour technology. They tend to be just over $20.

What do the best pillows for back pain cost?

If you are in a position where you do not have a budget for guaranteeing a good night’s sleep, the best options for back pain relief range between $30 and $90.

A helpful video for you

Want to learn more? Well here is a useful video that provides you with more useful information when looking to make a purchase.

More amazing pillows for you to consider

Contour Pillows

Contour bed pillows are designed to adapt to the curve and shape of your body parts, most often the head, neck, shoulders and back. 

Pillows For Back Pain

Pillows for back pain offer support, comfort, and improved spinal alignment for people struggling with back-related pain.

Sleep Apnea Pillows

A sleep apnea pillow responds to the needs of users suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects your ability to breathe during the night