Best cervical pillows to alleviate neck pain and improve comfort

Choosing the perfect pillow is not a task worth taking lightly. Selecting a supportive, cushioned pillow which promises to ensure a full eight hours of shut-eye may just be the difference between being your best, productive self throughout the day or feeling like a veritable zombie.

Despite their name, cervical pillows aren’t designed to treat cervical pain. Otherwise known as orthopaedic pillows and suitable for ladies and gentlemen alike, cervical pillows are a type of ergonomic pillow designed to help alleviate neck pain.

They’re named as such because the upper part of your backbone, where your neck is located, is called the cervical spine. The word ‘cervical’ comes from the Latin word ‘cervic’, which means ‘neck’. Thus, cervical pillows are specially designed to help support the neck and keep it aligned with the cervical spine while sleeping by maintaining the neck’s natural arch, which in turn reduces stress on neck joints and supports tight muscles.

We chatted with Dr Chad Eldridge, sleep and well-being advisor for Hästens, to understand the benefits of investing in a supportive cervical pillow.

What is it about traditional pillows that causes neck pain for so many people?

“Pain is a multifactorial issue and would not say that traditional pillows cause neck pain,” says Dr Eldridge, who goes on to explain that the “human being utilising that pillow has factors in their life and body that may be contributing to pain, and the pillow they are utilising may not aide in that.”

So, instead of blaming your poor pillow for causing your neck pain, perhaps consider that the root of your pain lies elsewhere – perhaps in your posture at work or a lack of exercise – and your current pillow set-up simply isn’t helping.

What is a cervical pillow and how can it help with neck pain?

Dr Eldridge says that cervical pillows can “potentially provide adequate support and position the head and neck in a way that correlates to the natural curvature of the cervical spine. This may provide support in the neck and allow the nervous system to calm down, which may aid in pain reduction.”

How can pillow firmness help prevent neck pain?

“Multiple factors contribute to pain, but a firmness that creates adequate support for the head and neck can offload potential stress to the tissues and structures of the neck and allow for a good night’s sleep. This in turn can decrease overall stress, downregulate nervous system sensitivity, and create an overall healthy system which is conducive to decreasing potential pain.”

Investing in a supportive, cervical pillow may be just one step towards creating a low-stress sleep environment and promoting a healthy nervous system – but it’s certainly an important one.

We’ve curated a selection of the best cervical pillows to help improve your sleep posture and prevent neck pain in the long run.

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Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow

According to Levitex, pillows are like shoes – different sizes suit your size and shape and it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation. Thus, the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow is offered in four different sizes to optimise your sleep posture. You can determine the right size yourself or through the brand’s handy quiz.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to choose between a small, medium, large or extra-large Levitex pillow which has been designed to promote proper spinal alignment, help alleviate pressure and offer an ache-free sleep. It’s made from 100 per cent Levitex foam, which is somehow both soft and firm at the same time and comes with a cooling nylon cover.

Buy now £80.00, Levitex

Emma Original Pillow

There are three memory foam layers in Emma’s Original Pillow to ensure you get the rest you deserve: simply add or remove them to get the right combination for you.

Each pillow contains a pressure-relieving viscoelastic memory foam; a supportive HRX hyper-soft cold foam (one for the hot sleepers amongst you); and an ultra-breathable Airgocell memory foam.

It will keep its shape over time and the cover can be put in the washing machine when it’s time for a clean.

Buy now £75.00, Emma

Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow

Known for producing sumptuously soft and ethically made bedding, mattresses and toppers, it certainly makes sense that Panda London has expanded its pillow offerings.

The Hybrid Bamboo Pillow has an orthopaedic-grade, bamboo and charcoal-infused memory foam interior and a sumptuously soft bamboo quilted cover for thermoregulated comfort. For maximum breathability, the pillow cover also features vented strips to improve airflow and regulate your body temperature with ease.

Buy now £89.95, Panda

Hästens BEDDOC Therapeutic Pillow

One of the more unique therapeutic pillows we’ve come across, this option by luxury Swedish brand Hästens features two pressure-relieving cylinder pillows to help relieve neck pain while you sleep.

Filled with 85 per cent duck feathers and 15 per cent duck down, the 50x60cm pillow almost functions as a cushioned roller for your neck – supporting it as you move throughout the night. It also comes with Hästens’ signature blue and white check pillowcase.

Buy now £390.00, Hästens

Marks & Spencer V-Shaped Medium Pillow with Pillowcase

In a similar manner to a pregnancy pillow, this V-Shaped dream from M&S contours to the shape of your body to provide plush and supportive relief. Featuring a non-allergenic synthetic filling with a pure-cotton, non-removable cover, it’s the perfect companion for nights spent reading in bed which ensures you won’t wake up with a crick in your neck.

Buy now £22.50, Marks & Spencer

TEMPUR Original Large Medium/ Firm Pillow

Tempur has built its reputation on memory foam sleep products, and many loyal customers won’t sleep on anything else. As well as mattresses, the brand also offers this medium-firm pillow specifically designed to conform to the natural curvature of your spine, allowing you to drift into slumber without any distractions.

The unusual shape can take some getting used to, but once you have, you’ll wonder how you managed without it. Ideal for side sleepers, but be warned, as is the case with memory foam, it can feel too warm. Something to note in the summer months. Medium and XL sizes are also available.

Buy now £99.00, Argos

TheComfortZone Memory Foam Pillow

Say hello to your new sore neck saviour. This ComfortZone pillow is made from highly supportive memory foam yet is breathable enough to avoid you feeling sweaty come the morning. If you suspect your migraines and soreness may be due to your pillow, this ergonomic contoured pillow may be the answer to peaceful, pain-free dreams.

Buy now £24.99, Amazon

The Original Groove Pain Relief Pillow

Designed to eliminate back pain by improving your posture while you sleep, The Original Groove Pain Relief Pillow has become a cult favourite among chronic neck and back pain sufferers and is offered at a brilliant, value-for-money price.

The pillow helps to promote neutral spine alignment to improve your posture while you sleep, thereby compensating for poor posture throughout the day. With its signature dip design created to supportively cradle your neck, the pillow helps to relax your muscles and may even help to reduce snoring as a result.

Plus, in preventing the spine from curling into an unhealthy position during sleep, the pillow ensures proper blood flow, so you don’t wake up with painful and frustrating numbness. According to Groove, this pillow is most effective when used by people who sleep on their back or side.

Buy now £29.95, Groove Pillows