Best Orthopedic Pillow

Getting a good night of sleep means waking up feeling well rested without aches and pains. For people who suffer from chronic pain, circulation problems, snoring or indigestion, nights can seem long and sometimes painful. How many more restless nights are you willing to spend in bed before taking the necessary precautions to ensure a better night’s sleep?

Most would consider starting with the proper mattress. And they’re not wrong. However, one must not forget the orthopedic pillow.

Orthopedic pillows are made to correct the position of your body while resting to alleviate painful symptoms. Designed to ensure that specific parts of your body are supported and properly placed to ensure a full night’s rest, orthopedic pillows are known to be therapeutic for a variety of conditions including, back and neck pain, snoring, sleep apnea, circulation problems, acid reflux, and several more.

There are different types of orthopedic pillows for every part of your body. From wedges and bolster pillows to cushions and traditional sleep pillows, whatever is ailing you, there is likely an orthopedic pillow designed to help out.

Let’s take a look.

Choosing the Best Orthopedic Pillow For You

It’s important to first address what is causing you pain and sleepless nights. Once you narrow down what is ailing you, you can better shop for an orthopedic pillow designed for you.

What Needs Relief?

Orthopedic pillows are uniquely designed to help alleviate pain and properly support you while you sleep. Orthopedic pillows can relieve pressure, ease muscle soreness and properly position you for a night of proper rest.

Those who suffer from poor circulation and muscle soreness, for example, need a pillow that offers additional support to their extremities.

People with indigestion problems can sometimes find relief when using an orthopedic pillow that elevates their body.

Figuring out what is keeping you up at night is the first place to start when shopping for the right orthopedic pillow for you.

Pillow Types

Different ailments require different types of pillows. While traditional orthopedic sleep pillows are designed to keep your head and neck properly positioned, there are a variety of pillows mentioned below that are uniquely designed to support other parts of your body.

If you have neck and back pain, an orthopedic sleep pillow is likely a good place to start. One that has proper cervical support, for example, will properly align your head and neck to ensure your spine is resting at its most natural position.

If you suffer from acid reflux, Gerd or gastrointestinal problems wedge pillows have been known to reduce these symptoms. Women who are pregnant have also benefited from orthopedic pillows that raise their upper body when suffering from pregnancy-induced acid reflux.

Knee pillows are great for relieving pain in your back, legs, hips, sciatic nerve, and lower body.

Bolster pillows can be handy for additional side support, back pain and to relieve pressure from your lower body.

Whatever you’re looking to support, check out the different types of orthopedic pillows available to find which one may help alleviate your symptoms.

Filling

The material found inside of your orthopedic pillow is as crucial as its shape. You need a filling that properly supports and elevates your body parts to relieve your symptoms.

Pillows are typically filled with memory foam, shredded foam, gel, down or natural fibers. Choosing the right filling for your needs is vital to a good night’s sleep with the proper support.

A foam filling may be the best option if height is what you’re looking for. Foam is a thicker material that offers a lot of support and it will nicely contour to the shape of your head or extremity. While some find it too hard to sleep on, a foam filling won’t lose its shape and can stand up to pressure from your legs or back while you sleep.

Down filling can be soft, light and airy. This type of light filling can be useful for supporting your body in certain ways. Down does tend to wear over time and often needs to be re-fluffed. Down is also not a great choice for animal lovers or for allergy sufferers.

Shredded memory foam or combinations of shreds and all-natural fibers are often the most recommended fillings for pillows. The shreds of foam are lighter and more pliable but also offer a sturdy support to keep you properly aligned and supported. Because natural fibers are free of pesticides and chemicals, they are also eco-friendly and great for sleepers with allergies.

If a pillow feels too hard or soft at first, give it a few nights to adjust to your body and go from there.

Material

If you have allergies in addition to your aches and pains, the material on the outside of your pillow is just as important as what’s on the inside.

If your home is prone to dust or pet hair, the type of material used on your pillow can have a big impact on how you sleep.

Hypo-allergenic pillows are made from natural fibers that reduce dust built up, pollen and other household bacteria that can find their way into the fabric of your pillow. Pillows used with natural materials also tend to be free of harmful and unnatural chemicals. If you’re prone to skin allergies and irritation, all-natural pillow materials will be the best choice for you.

Lighter or heavier materials may also contribute to the amount you sweat at night or affect your body temperature. A lighter material may help night sweaters, stay cool and comfortable. If you slide a wedge pillow that retains heat between your legs while you sleep, you might find yourself tossing and turning.

It might be beneficial for those with allergies or those who tend to sweat a lot to choose an orthopedic pillow with a removable case. Removable pillowcases can be unzipped easily and thrown in the wash. Regular washing of your pillowcase and the cover to your pillow can greatly reduce allergens and odors from body sweat.

Best Orthopedic Pillow

Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic Support System – Top Pick

The Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic System is our top pick for orthopedic support. With four separate pieces, this system is designed to fully support your entire body while resting in bed.

With the Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic System, you can elevate your back, support your neck, lower body and back all at the same time.

The pieces included in the set are the Back Scoop, Scoop Cradle, Headrest and Knee Rest. The set is made up of a furniture grade foam base with a memory layer covered in a soft bamboo fabric with microsuede on the sides.

This is like an entire bed made for orthopedic support. This system is ideal for use while reading, watching TV or recovering from strenuous activity or medical procedure. This is also ideal for pregnant women looking to relieve pressure and help with acid reflux.

The Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic System is made in the United States. The covers on the Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic System are removable for easy washing and care.

Pros:

• Multiple pieces for full body support
• Ideal set up for lounging, resting and recovering
• Removeable covers for easy washing
• Made of a furniture grade foam

Cons:

• The memory foam may be too hard for some users
• Pieces are only sold as a set

EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow – Best For Upper Body Pain

If you suffer from neck, shoulder or back pain, an orthopedic sleep pillow may help relieve your body aches. The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow is designed to provide therapeutic neck pain relief.

The ergonomically contoured design will help align your neck, shoulders and back to help you wake up pain-free. This pillow may take some getting used to. Give it a couple of weeks for your body to adjust and find the best position for you.

The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow is made up of a breathable memory foam. It is hypoallergenic and comes in a quilted cover made of rayon and polyester.

The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow comes with a 30-day trial period where you can return the pillow for a full refund.

Pros:

• Contoured design promotes spine alignment
• 30-day trial period
• Includes a few pillowcase

Cons:

• A high pillow not well suited for low sleepers
• Memory foam can be too hard for some users

ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow – Best For Lower Body Pain

The ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow is designed to help relieve back and hip pain and sciatica. It can also help take pressure off of your back and lower body. The ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow is made to fit directly between your knees while you sleep or rest.

This pillow is great for people suffering from lower-body and joint pain. Pregnant women may also benefit from this contouring wedge pillow. The ergonomically designed pillow helps keep your spine in alignment and improves circulation.

The high-density memory foam is made to keep its shape. There is a removable cover for easy washing. The outer cover features a quilted breathable design to help keep you and the pillow cool.

Pros:

• Comfortably fits between your legs
• Provides pressure relief and joint support
• Low price point
• Removable cover

Cons:

• Memory foam filling may be too high for some users
• Small size

Coop Home Goods Bolster Pillow – Top Bolster Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Bolster Pillow has many uses. The pillow is designed in a half moon shape to be used in four different positions. You can use this pillow in at night, for physical therapy, or during a massage. You can also use it to support different areas of your body.

This pillow is best used under your neck, to support your lower back, under your knees or under your ankles to elevate your legs and feet. If you sleep on your side, you can also slip this pillow between your legs to help keep your spine aligned.

What makes this bolster pillow unique is that it is fully adjustable. This is great for making sure it suits your needs. You can add or remove a layer of foam if you need more or less support. The cover is fully removable for easy adjusting and washing.

Pros:

• This pillow has a variety of uses
• Offers support to many different areas of your body
• Fully adjustable
• Low price point

Cons:

• Pillow needs to be aired out before use so that it fills to its true size
• Small size

Bed Wedge – Best For Snoring And Gerd

The Bed Wedge Pillow can help relieve a variety of symptoms. Wedge pillows are particularly helpful for people with acid reflux, heartburn, Gerd, digestive or respiratory issues and snoring.

The Bed Wedge Pillow is designed with 1.5 inches of memory foam, a removable cover, and a polyurethane foam filling.

Digestive issues, snoring and acid reflux are known to be reduced by elevating your upper body. You can use this pillow behind your back to help alleviate symptoms while you rest, read or watch TV.

Respiratory issues and allergies can also be helped by elevating your upper body. You can also put this pillow by your feet to elevate your legs and feet.

Pros:

• Elevates various body parts for a variety of ailments
• Multi-functional design
• Includes a 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Not ideal for side sleepers
• Pillow isn’t adjustable

Wrap-Up

Sleep can be a magical time to rest your body and recharge. If you suffer from any host of ailments and orthopedic pillow may be what you need to get a good night’s rest.

Orthopedic pillows have many uses and can give you some much needed additional support. From digestive issues to respiratory problems and body aches, orthopedic pillows may help alleviate a number of your worst symptoms.

Although the types of orthopedic pillows can vary, their purpose is to provide you with proper alignment and support to help you get a night of rest without issues or pain.