Best Pillows for Different Sleeping Positions and Pains

We all wonder sometimes, what kind of pillow can bring me the best dreams, relieve all my pains here and there and fulfill my evenings. 

If you ask these questions to doctors, they would inquire which position do you sleep in and how do you position your pillows. Indeed, getting the right pillows for your sleeping habits and positions is an effective way to improve sleep quality and kill all back or neck pains. Today, we will introduce some tips and advice for you to possibly wake up pain-free.

Are you struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position? We’ve explored what gestures and positions could help if you have specific neck or shoulder pain, and we will guide you in picking a suitable pillow for your sleeping habits.

Is it better to sleep with a pillow or without?

There is a thought that sleeping without a pillow is better for the alignment of your neck and spine as it allows your body to find the optimal position for it to rest. If you choose to sleep without a pillow or a flat and low pillow without adequate support, your neck and shoulder will be put under much strain which leads to chronic pain if left unattended. 

How to sleep better with neck pain?

For neck pains, it is crucially important to sleep on pillows that provide proper support for your head, ensuring that your neck and spine are kept in alignment as a straight line. Any additional pressure on your neck is likely to cause problems in your airways if the head is too high or cause neck pain if it's not in a straight line with the spine. 

A soft pillow of the right thickness can be the perfect pillow for neck pain if you’re a back sleeper as they tend to cradle your head while providing the support your neck and spine need.

How to sleep better with back pain?

Adding support between the knees can prevent back pain and allow the back to heal and rest better while sleeping.

If you are a side sleeper, a pillow placed between your knees is recommended. When laying on your side, a downward slant naturally occurs from the side of the hip down to the knee. This places stress through your hips, often resulting in pain. Placing a pillow between the knees helps prevent the downward pull on the hip, lining the knee and ankle with the hip. Positioning the pillow this way is also important after hip or knee surgery. If you have to lay on one side versus the other and are concerned you may roll over, place pillows behind you in this position. When you try to roll over, the pillows will stop you and remind you to stay on that one side.

Body pillows or lining up a row of pillows to hug is a great solution for many types of pain. If you cannot lay directly on a shoulder, but you like to sleep on your side this may be a good strategy. This strategy also works well for those who like to lay on their stomach, but cannot at the current time. Place the body pillow next to you. Rollover on top of it, but only half of the way, while draping your top leg and arm up over the top.

What is the best pillow to sleep on for side sleepers?

If you are a side sleeper, a firm pillow is your best choice. Select one that helps to bridge the distance between your ear and your shoulder. 

Good pillows for side sleepers are neither too thin nor too soft, to avoid your head leaning downwards and consequently putting strain on your neck. 

Search for options with medium-high firmness levels. Try not to rely solely on visual height either because a pillow may look thick, but it’s more plush than firm, the weight of your head could immediately flatten it out.

Our Morpheus Pillow is specifically designed for both back sleepers and side sleepers. It has two sides, while the High Elastic Foam Side is firm and stable compared with the Memory Foam Side which is soft and comfortable.

What is the best pillow to sleep on for back sleepers?

The best pillows for sleeping on your back are those that are firm around the edges, but soft in the middle as the memory foam side of Morpheus Pillow. As the natural curve of your neck needs to be supported to avoid pain, the proper pillow for back sleepers should allow your head to sink into the pillow without tilting too far backward.

You’ll want a pillow that's somewhere in between the firmness of side- and stomach-sleepers, it shouldn’t be too thick or too thin, just enough to fill in the space between your neck and the bed. 

To get that just-right feel, search for medium firmness levels or consider an adjustable pillow. Depending on your fill of choice, these styles come with additional inserts or shredded materials that you can add or remove to reach your ideal loft and density.

As a back sleeper, you may benefit from a pillow with an extra loft that helps to cradle your neck. Choose a memory foam pillow that provides consistent support and alleviates pressure by molding to your body.

What is the best pillow to sleep on for stomach sleepers?

Due to the twisting of your neck and the pressure on your lower back, we do not recommend stomach sleeping. If you must sleep on your stomach, try an extremely thin pillow or no pillow at all. It is better to teach yourself to sleep on your side.

Since there’s almost no space between your neck and mattress in this position, you’ll want to find a soft, thinner pillow. Look for styles with a lower profile that is labeled “plush” or on the very low end of the firmness scale. If you can’t get comfy in any other position, try putting another pillow under your lower abdomen to help reduce back strain.

Sleeping on the stomach is the most stressful position for the back and neck. Patients may be advised by their doctors to avoid sleeping on the stomach if they have certain spine conditions, or following spine surgery.

Sleeping on your stomach is a common cause of neck and back pain. But it is so comfortable that people like to do it! However, lying on your front puts pressure on your lower back as it is almost impossible to keep your spine aligned because of the need to turn your head to place it on the pillow.

Using a thick pillow will force your head backward and create more pressure on the curve of the spine in your lower back. Instead, the proper pillow position for stomach sleepers is to keep your head as flat as possible, therefore the best pillows for sleeping on your stomach will be one that has a low profile, slim, and not too soft. 

Summary 

Individuals with varying sleep positions should look for a pillow that has higher areas for side sleeping and lower areas for back sleeping. A pillow with a mix of different heights and softness is great for different sleeping positions or purposes. 

For example, our Morpheus pillow with the soft memory foam side will be best at cradling the head to suit back sleepers, while the former high elastic foam side will support the neck well to always keep a straight line with the spine. 

The smaller and thinner size of our Morpheus Pillow will be suited to place between the knees while easing back pain. 

Last but not least, try not to sleep on your stomach, but if you simply can’t escape this habit, choose the pillow of our smallest size to equal a flat but supportive experience.