A Chiropractors Guide

As a chiropractor I get asked all the time for a good pillow recommendation!! In this blog I talk about the best pillow to avoid neck pain, headaches and that is chiropractic friendly!

A good pillow for sleeping should be comfortable to lay your head upon, but most importantly it must support your neck keeping it in alignment with the rest of your spine. There are many different pillows on the market today from traditional feather and fiber ones to shaped pillows, memory foam and buckwheat. It can be difficult to know what to choose.

There is no “best” one for everyone. Try these tips to pick the right one for you.

Choose a size suitable for your body size or frame. It should cover the entire back of your neck to avoid putting pressure on your spine.

Try out the pillow. Most are packaged in a plastic wrapper so you can lay it on a display bed in the store and put your head on it. This is the best way to find out if you are on the right track.

A hypoallergenic one is a must if you suffer from allergies, but it is also a good choice for anyone.

Buckwheat filled ones have become increasingly popular. Buckwheat is hypoallergenic, it will mold to the contours of your head and neck providing good support, but it will also change shape when you move.

A good quality, supportive pillow provides

many benefits

including a better night’s sleep, improved circulation, fewer aches and pains and even reduced snoring. Take your time and choose carefully. Your neck and back will thank you for it!

When choosing a pillow it is important to choose the one right for your preferred position of sleeping.

If you like to sleep on your side you want something that can be tall enough to support your neck (running the distance between the tip of your shoulder and your neck). If you have broad shoulders it needs to be tall enough to craddle your neck just above the shoulders. You want a pillow material that will move from the area your head displaces to move into the area to support the neck.

If your a back sleeper you want a smaller one that will just support your necks natural spinal curve.

Some of my favourite pillows:

The chiroflow – take a look here – https://chiroflow.com/

Tri- Core cervical – https://www.coreproducts.com/products/tri-core-pillow
– This product has different sizes depending on how broad your shoulders are.
– It is a firm material but as you can see has cut outs to hug and support that neck with an indent for the head.
– The higher sides will work best for side sleeping and you can use the shorter sides when you sleep on your back.

Smarter-Rest Memory foam pillow – https://www.amazon.ca/Memory-Foam-Pillow-Contour-Travel/dp/B00R1UY148

– See how the pillow is tall and has contours to it to support the neck. This pillow is best for those that prefer to sleep on their side

I hope this helps. Make sure to talk about your specific requirements with your chiropractor to make sure you find the right pillow for you!