Affecting millions of people each year, neck pain is one of the most common forms of pain. Whether the pain is acute (short term) or chronic (lasting more than several weeks), it can create health concerns that are far reaching and can make things like air travel, sleeping and even walking more difficult. Fortunately, neck pain is almost always preventable and is generally the result of bad posture, repetitive motion strain or even excessive worrying (stress). There are also many ways to cope with neck pain and probably none as well known or utilized as a neck pillow. While this article isn’t intended to assist with the diagnosis to offer medical advice, it is meant to provide you with information related to the different types of neck pillows that are available including the benefits and drawbacks of each. After reading this article my hope is that you will leave with a better understanding of the many benefits that neck pillows have to offer.
Each and every year people spend millions of dollars on surgical procedures and devices to help ease their neck pain. I have personally spent a fair amount of money looking for an inexpensive solution that would allow me to cope with a mild form of neck pain, and I have also sought relief through massage therapy and physical therapy sessions. While the therapy afforded me temporary relief from pain, nothing has been quite as effective at keeping the pain at bay as my neck support pillow has. With that said, it took me a fair amount of time before I was able to secure a pillow that offered me the support and relief I was looking for. I did try several types of pillows including a travel neck pillow, contour neck pillow, buckwheat neck pillow and even an inflatable neck pillow, but wasn’t satisfied until I purchased a memory foam neck pillow. I’m hoping that my experience trialing these products will help you to make a more informed decision.
When most people think of neck support pillows they think of those donut looking pillows commonly used for air or car travel. While those pillows are great and serve a specific purpose, they aren’t the only type available and shouldn’t be used in every situation. As mentioned above, my neck pillow of choice is the memory foam neck pillow, and specifically, the Tempur-Pedic neck pillow, which features a dual lobe design that offers support in a way that no other pillow can. You see, the dual lobe design contours perfectly to your neck and shoulders, offering support to align your spine while allowing your head to rest in a natural position in relation to the rest of your body. Although the price of $100 for the medium version may seem high, it’s actually quite low when considering the many benefits offered.
Before purchasing the memory foam pillow I had some brief experience using a buckwheat pillow, which is filled with buckwheat hulls. The pillow is designed for comfort and support and is also desirable from a sustainability aspect due to its all natural construction. The firmness of the pillow can be adjusted by adding or removing hulls, which I found to be very convenient and customizable. However, this is where the benefits ended for me, as I found the pillow to be too stiff and difficult to manipulate. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to make this pillow work for me, since many people swear by them. People enjoy their firm support, fresh and natural scent and the open construction that allows air to move between the hulls. Try one out and decide for yourself, since it seems that I may in the minority based on my experience.
Another pillow I recommend from personal experience is the TravelRest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow. Unlike the donut type pillows, the TravelRest pillow not only wraps around your neck, but also runs down one side of your body, creating a full body pillow sensation. The pillow inflates in just 3-4 breaths and features a tether to secure itself to a car or airline seat, preventing it from shifting around. Another plus is that it can be rolled up easily once deflated and features a snap to secure it to your carryon luggage or other bag.
In conclusion, choosing a pillow is a very personal choice that often requires a fair bit of research and experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try out several different types of pillows before you arrive at the one that best fits your needs. For those that require neck pillows for pain it’s recommended to follow up with your doctor to ensure that the pain is not something more serious. Good luck with your purchase!
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