People who suffer from back discomfort have a hard time sleeping. This is a recursive process in many cases, as poor sleep can lead to worsening back pain. Those who suffer from back discomfort when they sleep may wonder how their pillow affects their sleep.
The correct pillow can help alleviate back pain and straighten the spine by reducing pressure and strain. Finding the best pillow for back pain might be a daunting task at first, given the vast number of alternatives accessible to consumers.
We’ll go over the best options and discuss how they reduce back discomfort through construction and materials.
Top Picks
1. WinkBeds Adjust-a-Cube Pillow
The WinkBeds pillow features gel-infused memory foam cubes that provide a peaceful night’s sleep.
2. Most Comfortable- Silk & Snow Pillow
The shredded memory foam in this silk and snow pillow makes it an exceptionally comfortable place to rest your head and neck.
3. Best Value- Coop Home Goods Eden
The Eden from Coop Home Goods has gel-infused, shredded memory foam. As for price, the Eden is far cheaper than the typical shredded memory foam cushion.
List of 12 Best Pillow for Back Pain
- WinkBeds Adjust-a-Cube Pillow
- Sagino Cervical Memory Foam Pillow
- Most Comfortable- Silk & Snow Pillow
- Purple- The Pillow
- Helix Wedge Pillow for Back Pain
- Layla Pillow for Back Pain
- Dr. Loth SpineAlign Pillow
- Best Value- Coop Home Goods Eden
- Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
- Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Wedge Pillow
- Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- ComfiLife Lumbar Support Pillow
1. WinkBeds Adjust-a-Cube Pillow
Highlights:
- Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow
- Optimal Air Circulation
- Promotes Perfect Spine Alignment
- 100% Washable Cover
- Made in the USA
Product Description:
In the WinkBeds pillow, memory foam cubes are infused with gel to keep them calm while sleeping in your bed. You may adjust the number of cubes to suit your sleeping position, and the interior pillow contains a small layer of memory foam to ensure that you don’t feel any bumps from the cubes while sleeping.
It adjusts to the sleeper, providing support where it is needed while gently caressing the neck and head. As a result, pressure redistribution and appropriate alignment are enhanced, which should aid in the treatment of lower back discomfort.
2. Sagino Cervical Memory Foam Pillow
Highlights:
- Best Sleeping Memory Foam Pillow
- Orthopedic Neck Pillow with Support
- 2 Washable Pillowcases
- Cradles the Neck & Shoulder
- Suitable for Side, Back, or Stomach Sleepers
Product Description:
Maintaining a proper sleeping position is made more accessible by the cervical pillow. Soreness in your neck and spine can be alleviated by distributing pressure evenly over your head and shoulders. Get out of bed feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the day.
The pillow’s ergonomic form alleviates the pain and discomfort caused by neck tension. Both sides have a high and low profile to accommodate the human body’s natural curve. Ergonomic pillows with additional armrests provide comfort and support for your arms.
Comfortable and soft, the pillow’s core comprises memory foam, which is 100%. Bamboo fibers account for 38% of the pillowcase’s fabric, while polyester fibers account for 62% of the pillowcase’s material.
3. Most Comfortable- Silk & Snow Pillow
Highlights:
- Hybrid Design Pillow
- Soft Microfiber Filling
- Adjustable Comfort
- Designed for all Sleepers
- Certified by CertiPUR-US®
Product Description:
Pressure relief and firm support can help alleviate back discomfort for those who suffer from it. The silk and snow pillow provides a luxuriously soft place for your head and neck to rest, infused with shredded memory foam.
The adjustable fill ensures that every sleeper may get the perfect loft. Value-seekers will appreciate this model’s cheap price point. Another chamber of down substitute microfiber surrounds the shredded memory foam core.
This layer offers plushness while keeping the pillow light. Side sleepers can use the fill-in for the highest loft, while back and stomach sleepers will like its medium feel.
The breathable cotton cover is removable and machine washable. If you use Silk & Snow’s 100-night sleep trial for 30 days before returning, you’ll get your money back.
It comes with a 3-year warranty covering material and craftsmanship. Shipment is accessible to the 48 contiguous states and Canada but not to Hawaii or the Canadian territories.
4. Purple- The Pillow for Back Pain
Highlights:
- GelFlex Grid Cushioning
- Ergonomic Comfort
- Hypoallergenic
- Made in the USA
Product Description:
Purple pillows are made with its proprietary Purple Grid, which is sturdy, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. It is also soft, supportive, and breathable (because of the grid design). The cushion comes with boosters, which let you adjust the height of your pillow, as well as a moisture-wicking mesh cover to keep you cool and comfortable.
In addition, Dr. Michael Breus, Purple’s Chief Sleep Advisor, says that the Gel Flex grid “cradles your head and neck for ideal support” and that when he sleeps with the pillow, he “moves around less, and I never wake up with any neck pain.”
Doctor Laura DeCesaris, who practices functional medicine, is also a fan of the pillow because “it allows for simple adjustment of the firmness by just zipping or unzipping the extensions in it,” she says.
5. Helix Wedge Pillow for Back Pain
Highlights:
- Gel Memory Foam Pillow
- Stop Snoring & Acid Reflux
- Reduce Back and Neck Pain
Product Description:
This wedge pillow can be used to elevate your legs, which may help relieve pressure on your lower back, or to lay under your head for potential neck pain relief. It can also promote your legs for possible neck pain relief.
It may also be beneficial for those who suffer from acid reflux, heartburn, or snoring, as well as those who want to be propped up when reading or watching television in bed.
6. Layla Pillow for Back Pain
Highlights:
- Layla Kapok Pillow
- Plush and Airy
- Soft and Supportive
- CertiPUR-US® Certified
Product Description:
The combination of Kapok fibers and reactive memory foam fill provides this pillow the moldability to contour to your head and keep its shape throughout the night, making it a dream come true for anyone. In addition to looking and feeling fabulous, the polyester/viscose blend cover is exceptionally breathable, allowing for optimal airflow through the cushion.
It’s as though you’re lying on a fluffy cloud when you rest your head on Kapok fibers. Because kapok is lighter and more breathable than cotton or wool, it produces a loft that lasts longer.
The Layla® Kapok Pillow cradles your head and neck like a lovely infant so that you get out of bed feeling refreshed and energized in action on your dreams.
Also Read: 10 Best Mattress for Back and Neck Pain
7. Dr. Loth SpineAlign Pillow
Highlights:
- Sleep Aligned and Natural
- Soft and Breathable
- Adjustable for a Perfect Fit
- 5-Year Warranty
Product Description:
The sides of the SpineAlign pillow have a higher loft than the center, thanks to its three-chamber design. There is a center section for back sleepers and side sleepers, and the cushion is designed to keep your spine in a neutral position as you switch between these two positions.
A unique blend of shredded fiber and foam fills each chamber, resulting in a firm, supporting sensation.
You have complete control over the settings in each chamber! Take some of the stuffing from the central section to make it softer. The filling can be removed from one area and moved to another to customize the loft and firmness to your preferences.
This pillow is ideal for back and side sleepers looking for a customizable pillow with a contoured design.
There is, however, one caution to keep in mind: the shape of this cushion is a little odd when placed within a pillowcase. The Tencel cover fabric is enough to keep you warm and cozy on its own!
8. Best Value- Coop Home Goods Eden
Highlights:
- Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow
- Premium Eden
- Dual-case System for Adjustment
- GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US® Certified
Product Description:
The memory foam in the Eden from Coop Home Goods is shredded and infused with gel. Close conforming and better spinal alignment are two of the benefits of this material, but it also sleeps cooler than solid memory foam.
The bamboo-rayon cover also helps to maintain a constant temperature. There is also a lot of flexibility in Eden’s loft. The loft can be adjusted by adding or removing shredded foam fill. This helps individuals who like different thicknesses during the night.
The Eden will last at least three years more than any shredded foam model. The pillow’s polyester lining may be taken off and cleaned in a washing machine without hurting the foam inside.
Eden’s shape retention is better than usual for individuals who prefer to sleep with a pillow between their legs, despite its high degree of moldability. It is far less expensive than the standard shredded memory foam cushion in terms of cost.
9. Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
Highlights:
- Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
- Contours Head and Neck
- Firmness: Customizable
Product Description:
The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is shaped like an oblong to make it more comfortable for side sleepers. Those who suffer from back or hip pain due to sleeping on their stomachs can help ease discomfort by allowing you to sleep in a supine position with your neck lifted slightly.
The pillow has a luxurious yet supportive sensation created with shredded latex and down substitute fibers. Additionally, you can vary the loft and density of the cushion by adding or removing fillings.
This means that the pillow can be used by anyone who prefers to sleep on their side, regardless of their preferred thickness. Soft and breathable cotton, polyester, and spandex create the cover.
Eli & Elm offers free ground shipping inside the 48 contiguous states to all customers. Even if you’ve used it or cleaned the cover, you still have 45 days to return the pillow and receive a five-year warranty.
10. Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Wedge Pillow
Highlights:
- Sleep & Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow
- CertiPUR-US Certified
- Washable Natural Bamboo Cover
- 100% Made in the USA
Product Description:
A better night’s sleep is ensured, so you can watch TV on the floor or read in bed without worrying about your health. The modest slope helps alleviate respiratory issues while reducing pain in the neck and shoulders.
Asthma and other respiratory issues, such as acid reflux and snoring, are all handled by this technique. Similarly, any condition that affects breathing while lying down is managed by this method.
The design can aid digestion by correctly positioning the body to provide a favorable anti-reflux position or raising the legs to improve circulation.
11. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
Highlights:
- TEMPUR-Neck™ Pillow
- TEMPUR®Material
- Proper Alignment
- Personalized Comfort
- 5-Year Guarantee
Product Description:
When it comes to pillows, Tempur-TEMPUR-Neck Pedic’s Pillow is an excellent choice. This model’s ideal contouring has been designed to keep the head, neck, and spine in optimum alignment when sleeping.
A firmer filler than down or substitute down is used in the cushion’s construction: TEMPUR memory foam. The unique shape has a lower head loft and a higher neck loft than most. Proper spinal alignment, provides better neck support.
The TEMPUR-Neck is available in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. The pillow’s shaping and support will help side and back sleepers keep their heads aligned with their spines. To clean the cover, you can remove it.
Tempur-Pedic ships are free within the US. Due to the nature of the substance, there is no sleep trial. Tempur-Pedic offers a 5-year warranty on the pillow.
12. ComfiLife Lumbar Support Pillow
Highlights:
- Memory Foam Pillow
- Back Pain Relief
- Side, Back, and Stomach Sleepers
- Triangle Wedge Bolster Pillow
- Bed Rest Pillow (White, Standard)
Product Description:
A bed wedge pillow built for side, back, and stomach sleepers provide excellent lower back support. This device reduces lower back pain, and the spine is more aligned at night.
As a knee, foot, or leg elevation bolster, the ComfiLife lower back support pillow can be utilized in various ways to alleviate discomfort and relieve pain. Back and side sleepers will benefit from this pillow’s ability to help lower back, hip, leg, and joint pain.
ComfiLife sleep lumbar support pillow is made with high-density memory foam that lasts for hours and hours. Compared to other bed positioner pillows, this one will not flatten out and will provide the best support and alignment for your spine.
Also Read: 13 Best Pillow Protectors for Good Sleep
Buying Guide- How to Shop for the Best Pillows for Back Pain
Adults and children alike are plagued by back discomfort. Muscle strains, arthritis, and scoliosis are all possible causes of back discomfort. The appropriate cushion can alleviate some pressure and agony with back pain, while the wrong pillow might do the opposite.
Consider cushion size, shape, loft (thickness), and material composition when selecting a pillow for back pain sufferers.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the most common causes and symptoms of back pain, as well as how to choose the ideal pillow to relieve your discomfort.
How Does Back Pain Affect Sleep?
Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from debilitating pain daily. Disabilities and healthcare expenses are linked to chronic pain. As many as half of the working population in the United States suffers from back discomfort.
Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is often a result of chronic discomfort. Chronic pain disorders are more common among insomniacs. Getting a good night’s sleep is difficult for back pain sufferers.
What a Back Pain Negatively Impacts Sleep
Painful nights are likely to ensure that you cannot align your spine correctly and get as much support as possible. Before attempting to sleep, you should assess whether your sleeping posture interferes with your ability to get a good night’s rest.
Sleeping on your stomach may sound like a unique approach to avoid back discomfort if you suffer from it regularly.
To put it simply: If you don’t have the right mattress and bedding in place to keep your spine aligned properly while you sleep, you could be putting your back at risk.
If you can’t sleep because of back pain, you’re not getting the rest you need to perform at your best the following day. Sleep deprivation, especially for lengthy periods, can have serious repercussions.
The Body cannot Heal and Recharge:
Sleeping with a sore back makes it difficult to reach the therapeutic periods of deep and REM sleep, which are crucial for healing. During sleep, your brain’s poisons are flushed from your system, which have accumulated while you’re awake.
Because of your body’s inability to heal and recharge properly because of chronic pain, not only do you run the danger of developing chronic pain.
Greater Risk of Accidents or Injury:
Driving while fatigued can be just as hazardous. Your reaction time reduces when you’re sleep-deprived, which might put you and other drivers in danger on the road.
Your Chronic Pain gets Worse:
Chronic pain is more likely to occur if you don’t get enough sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep because of back discomfort, your symptoms worsen, making it more difficult to sleep.
If you don’t get enough sleep, the consequences can be dire, so you must do what you can to get some shut-eye and support your body. It’s a good thing that there are techniques to deal with chronic pain throughout the day so that you can get some rest at night.
How important is your Sleeping Pillow?
Dr. Breus refers to a pillow as a “bed for your head” since it aids in a good night’s sleep. If you want to keep your head in the same position for an extended time, you’ll need to find a chair that provides adequate support to keep your neck from bending forward or backward.
How you sleep at night can alter your posture in the long run. When viewed from the side, the curvatures of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines are all in opposing directions.
Dr. Thomas C. Schuler, a spine surgeon and the Chairman of the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical & Scientific Board, argues that these curves work together to keep the head above the buttocks, allowing the eyes to look horizontally.
A misalignment of the curves, whether due to long-term poor posture or recent trauma, can be unpleasant and exhausting on the muscles. He advises you to keep a healthy posture throughout the day and while you sleep.
Dr. Wilson Wang, a chiropractor in Seattle, believes that an ill-fitting pillow can significantly contribute to neck and upper back pain.
To avoid aggravating pain in the neck or upper back, he recommends using a pillow that provides enough neck support and maintains a neutral neck position while you sleep. Dr. Breus notes that this type of pain can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep.
Pillow Positioning Options for People with Back Pain
Back pain sufferers often find relief by adjusting or repositioning their pillows. Different sleepers may benefit from one or more of the following methods:
Side Sleeping with a Pillow between the Knees.
Make sure your body is firmly seated between your shoulders and buttocks on the mattress. As a result of this positioning, the hips and pelvis will be aligned with the spine, resulting in less pain. A smaller pillow can be used to fill up any gaps that may appear between your side and the mattress.
Fetal Position with both Knees Tucked.
To get into this position, lie on your back with your legs bowed and tucked in against your chest. To relieve strain on the disks, bend your upper body toward your knees. If you feel any discomfort, switch sides immediately.
Stomach Sleeping with a Pillow Beneath the Pelvis.
Pads placed under the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine help alleviate pain associated with stomach sleeping. Some people find it more comfortable to sleep without a pillow under their heads in this position.
You are a Back Sleeper with a Pillow Beneath the Knees.
Place a pillow under your legs while laying on your back. Doing so helps straighten the spine and alleviate pressure points between the neck and the hips. If you still feel pain in your lower back, try placing a towel rolled up beneath your lower back.
Final Thoughts
You’re well on your way to finding the right pillow (or two or three) now that you’ve seen my top 12 best pillows for back pain. Always keep an eye on things like loft, firmness, and materials, and take some time to think about what kind of sleep-type tactics will work best for your particular anatomy—wishing you a successful shopping trip and beautiful dreams!