Is this the first time you are actually hear the word “orthopedic” in conjunction with the pillow? Does it seem like a buzz word to you just flying around the office like the next bright red bandwagon to jump on?
You may feel this way because orthopedics is becoming a science that is getting a lot more limelight nowadays and for good reason. Orthopedics (or orthopaedics) is a science that studies and focuses on how your muscles and bones work together and how you as a person are able to not just function but make everything from the smallest, most basic movements to great, grand, fluid motions like gymnastic moves.
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Top 5 Best Rated Orthopedic Pillows Reviewed
UTTU Memory Foam Sandwich Pillow
The very first thing you need to know about this memory foam pillow is that it is height adjustable to fit your body specifically. If you’re wondering how a pillow can be height adjustable when lying down, well remember that we’re talking about the height of the pillow itself which dictates how much your neck and head will be lifted from your bed.
The pillow has an easy to remove, zipper closed cover that allows you to open it and remove some foam in adjustment as well as allowing you to send the casing through the washing machine without issue. The cover is made from bamboo and is hypoallergenic as well as breathable so you can trust it to keep irritants away from you as well as to keep you cool throughout the night.
UTTU’s pillow is made in a contour shape which allows for perfect curvature not forcing your head to lie unnaturally flat. It is designed not to be overly firm or to get hard over time but to keep its shape and remain comfortable even with extensive use.
Pros:
- Does not get hard
- Bamboo cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Height adjustable
Cons:
- Too hot
- Chemical odor
Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow
Sleep Innovations pillow is actually slightly on the cheaper side as far as price goes being sold for around $30. You can order this pillow in one of three sizes, either queen, standard or the travel size which gives you the option of having an orthopedic pillow with you wherever you go.
The company boasts over 20 years of experience studying the body and sleep to help create such wonderful pillows. There is even a link to information you can take from their website to help you understand which pillow fit is best for you personally.
Made completely in the United States you can trust the factory and workers who are crafting your pillow that they are being held to standards you know and agree with. Each pillow has three pounds of memory foam that conform to your head and reduce your pain and stiffness.
Pros:
- Size options
- Travel pillow
- The USA made
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Very firm
- Loses density over time
Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow
Snuggle-Pedic is a brand I LOVE, trust and always put on my recommendations to any and everyone who will listen. They are a company that knows their sleep and what makes it better or worse and after years of putting great pillows on the markets I advise you to test one out too.
While this shredded bamboo memory foam pillow is not crafted to be curved to the shape of your neck and head it IS made with a resilient memory foam that springs back and remembers the shape of your body. It provides ample support without being too firm or too soft and allows you to move comfortably around the pillow throughout the evening.
The pillow is made with bamboo rayon and is hypoallergenic as well as easy to clean and keep cleaned. You can pull as much of the shredded memory foam out to make the pillow height decrease or add it back in to increase the height to your preferred standard.
Pros:
- Size options
- Fully adjustable
- Hypoallergenic
- Bamboo cover easy to wash
Cons:
- Expensive
- Too firm
Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow
While a bit more on the expensive side, this pillow is also fully adjustable, made with your cervical vertebrae in mind and extremely comfortable. You can add filling to the pillow if you find it is too soft and you can take some out it in the end it is much too firm for you.
You have complete control with this pillow to adjust it to your exact, individual needs and you don’t have to settle and suffer with a pillow that is overly firm or soft. As with all pillows on this list it is easy to machine wash, made with memory foam and is hypoallergenic.
The cover of this pillow is cotton which is fiber you are familiar with and already know how to clean and this it will be breathable. And added bonus with purchasing this pillow is that the company donated 10% of its sales to global humanitarian relief efforts so its a win for you and a win for the world every time you purchase from Nature’s Guest.
Pros:
- Donated to charity
- Cotton cover
- Easily washable
- Fully adjustable
Cons:
- Expensive
- No cooling gel
Cosium Orthopedic Cervical Support Pillow
Cosium’s Orthopedic pillow may seem to be shaped a little funny—something like a butterfly on its back, but that is because it was carefully designed to support your cervical spine better than ever. The pillow is hypoallergenic and firm without being so overly firm that those who prefer soft pillows could not use it comfortably.
The memory foam in each of these pillows is something called “slow rebound” memory foam meaning that it takes in the impact of your head and neck and does not whip back so quickly and forget. It carefully cradles your head and supports the spine more than just adequately.
The pillow is designed to be great for either back or side sleepers but can be enjoyed by all of you give yourself time to adjust. The company does note that you may need between three and fives days to truly adjust to the new support this pillow offers you.
Pros:
- Specifically designed for back and side sleepers
- Butterfly shape
- Easy to wash
- Hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Not great for stomach sleepers
- Expensive
So the question is, why is everyone so recently, is seems, concerned with the science behind how our body moves? Well, the real focus is that there has been a lot of stress not just on how and why our body’s systems work together but more on why and when they are not working well.
What I mean by that is, why our bodies are constantly aching, feeling sore or slowing us down by being overly sluggish, and pained. As more often we find that our backs, neck, knees and head are hurting throughout the day, we began to look for ways to fix it.
Now of course, you are probably like me and have attributed much of your daily aches and pains as simply getting older, but what if that’s not all? What if everything from the way you sleep on your bed to the computer mouse in your hand at work are almost working against you?
Orthopedics and ergonomics are two sciences that are doing their very best to undo some of the harmful habits we have created for our bodies. Ergonomics studies how we interact with the things around us such as our chair or keyboard.
These two sciences are trying to craft objects in our every day’s lives to conform to us rather than forcing us to conform to the object. You may have seen this in special keyboard and mice designed not flat and hard but curved they way out hands naturally lay.
In the house, you might notice orthopedic pillows and beds that are designed to keep you in a natural position while adding extra support to various areas of your body. Orthopedic pillows, for example, are usually memory foam and rather than being a giant, unshaped ball of material, they are shaped and curves to fit the curve of your neck and cradle your head.
Orthopedic pillows do not only provide you support to your cervical vertebrae and keep your head cushioned, but they work to actually correct issues in your sleep. By gently forcing your head and neck to lay in a more natural way, your spine is being re-taught how to sit after perhaps years of you either lifting it too high, laying on it twisted, or laying too flat.
Occasionally the initial transition from your regular pillow, regardless of which kind you choose, to an orthopedic pillow is a little difficult. It is not because the pillow is uncomfortable itself but because your spine is and muscles are learning a new way to fall against the surface which requires you to unlearn the habit of sleeping you have gotten used to.
While it may take a slight adjustment period that shouldn’t deter you and you would be advised to stick it out for a bit. Once your body has adequately adjusted you are likely to find your overall body aches will dissipate as well.
Special considerations for creating this list
- Support: The pillows I have tried out and selected for this list are top because they are extremely supportive. They do not only lift the head but support the neck and cradle your head to give you as comfortable night sleep that is not going to cost you in the morning by leaving you achy.
- Durability: I like to buy a pillow once in a few years if I am fortunate enough, and for this reason, I selected pillows that will last yours for the long haul. Not only over the year but that will hold up in their shape and form with daily use regardless of what you use the pillow for and how often.
- Easy to clean: Whether you make a small spill or if you have a major accident all over your pillow you want it to be something you can clean easily. ASI already mentioned, I see a pillow as an investment and do not want to purchase one every time mine gets a little dirty. Even if you just sweat or lay on your pillow when you’re a little dirty, you will want to be able to keep it clean. I chose pillows that I LOVE because they are not incredibly difficult to keep clean and to have cleaned when necessary.
- Memory foam: Pillows are hardly top quality anymore if they do not come made with memory foam, especially when we are talking about orthopedic pillows. Not only did I select only and all memory foam pillows but I made sure they were made from top quality memory foams to make sure your pillow is resilient.
Final thoughts
Sleep is such a vital part of our lives and usually when you have a medical issue or any health concerns one of the first things the doctor wants to know about it how much water you drink and how is your sleep pattern. Your night of sleep may seem like a rest you have to take to function but it also affects how your body is functioning even when you get the full eight hours.
Orthopedic pillows are one of the best options you can have if you are looking to correct your sleeping style and get your body aligned and working to its full capacity. Choose your pillow carefully and make sure that you have read and understood the care instructions before attempting to wash or clean your pillow.
Allow for your body to get used to the change and adjust to the more natural curve of the pillow before you give up on it. Once you are fully adjusted you should find that your sleep is more comfortable and your body is riddled with less pain throughout the day.
