Do you suffer from neck pain when you wake up? You may need a neck pillow.

You are not alone if you wake up frequently with neck pain.

I had neck pain until I researched cervical, orthopaedic and ergonomic pillows. I found one that helped me sleep comfortably all night without straining my neck.

In 2025, stiff necks could be due to a pillow that is not comfortable. It’s possible that the right pillow could provide you with neck relief.

Why do you sometimes wake up with neck discomfort?

Neck pain can often be caused by poor spinal alignment due to the wrong pillow and sleeping position. Chiropractor Kevin Lees According to the article, “Sleeping on a neck that is not properly supported can cause increased stress in spinal joints, resulting in tension, disturbed sleep and persistent pain.”

The risk is higher for side and back sleepers when their head doesn’t align with their spine. The risk is greater for stomach sleepers: doctors recommend switching sleeping position If you suffer from neck pain regularly.

What’s the difference between cervical pillows, orthopaedic cushions, and ergonomic pillows?

It’s a big old pillow market out there, and terms like ‘cervical’, ‘orthopaedic’, and ‘ergonomic’ are often used interchangeably, but they do have subtle differences:

Cervical pillows

• Supports the cervical spine.
• To keep alignment, it is common to have raised edges with a lower center.
• The best for side and back sleepers.
• “Cervical pillow is an ergonomically designed pillow that provides support to the head and neck, promoting proper spine alignment while sleeping,” according to DataM Intelligence via OpenPR.

I bought a neck pillow because when I sleep, I find my head falls to one side. This causes me pain. My head is now cradled, and I can sleep with my neck straight.

Orthopaedic pillows

• This category is broader and focuses on spinal health.
• Included are cervical, contour, water, memory foam and other pillows.
• Reduce pressure points and maintain spinal alignment.

Ergonomic pillows

• Body mechanics is the main focus of this design.
• No matter what your sleeping style, you can still get the right comfort and positioning.
• Ikea says they ‘give your head, neck and shoulders the right support so you get the rest you need.’

In short: every cervical pillow is orthopaedic, and both types can be ergonomic – but not every ergonomic pillow is made for neck support.

How to select the right pillow according to your sleeping position

Backsleepers:

• Select cervical or contour pillows that support the neck.
• Memory foam will cradle the head comfortably without raising it.

Side sleepers

• Use high-density pillows that are firm and fill the space between your head and mattress.
• Memory foam or contoured cushions help align the spine.

Stomach sleepers:

• Select pillows that are flat and soft. If your pain continues, try changing positions.

Kevin Lees explains that “some cervical pillows are available, but they make it difficult for sleepers to change positions throughout the night. Therefore, restless sleepers need more options.”

Could ‘tech neck’ be causing your neck pain?

If you spend hours hunched over a screen, or looking down at your phone, you may be developing forward head posture, known as ‘tech neck.’ Lees warns, “this can increase muscle tension, leading to an increase in stress hormones,” and disrupting your sleep.

Even if your posture during the day is not ideal, a cervical pillow will help to support your neck throughout the night.

Does neck pillow work?

Evidence is mixed. According to WebMD, ‘one review of five studies, published in 2006, concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to recommend them for neck pain.’ However, it also notes, ‘a water-filled version lessened morning pain and made for better rest than a roll pillow or standard model.’

So, while results vary, many users – and chiropractors – still swear by them. Personally, I’ve seen a big improvement. Lees says, “If your symptoms worsen or become more severe, you should stop using the pillow. Consult with your doctor.”

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. IndyBest testing team The company spent two years testing and evaluating pillows. They found that the “right pillow” can make the difference in waking up refreshed or nursing a stiff neck.

The cervical pillow market is expected to grow by 4.6 percent annually until 2030 (OpenPR), so it’s obvious that more people are becoming aware of the importance of spinal support.

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