If you’ve been experiencing back pain to the point where it affects your quality of sleep, investing in the right kind of pillow can reduce pressure and keep your spine aligned to feel more comfortable.
Our review includes a range of memory foam pillows for back pain so that you can pick the one that you think would help your situation the most. A buying guide is also available at the end which you can use for more information on back relief pillows so that you can select the best one.
Disclaimer: While SleepSharp endeavors to recommend the best products, we edited this post to offer general information only. As such, the content of this article can’t replace professional and expert advice and recommendation.
MALOUF Gel-Infused Pillow
We liked how this pillow is available in a variety of sizes that include standard, queen, and king. It also comes with different loft options that include a high, low, and mid loft. Therefore, you can be sure to pick the option that’s best for your back.
Highlights:
- Good selection of sizes available
- Gel-infusion for cool temperatures
- Pillow retains its shape
The gel-infused element enables you to remain cool so that you can sleep more comfortably. In addition to this, memory foam materials have been used that provide you with a pillow that is supportive and comfortable as it contours to the natural shape of your body.
With the open cell construction, the pillow can keep its shape for longer. As a result, you can sleep comfortably for a long time.
Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
This pillow is available in standard, king, and queen sizes so that you can pick the one that suits you best. We liked how the pillow has a combination of bamboo shreds and memory foam materials.
Highlights:
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Contours to the natural shape of your spine
- Ventilated for a cool sleeping environment
These materials work to provide you plenty of postural support so that you can relieve pressure in your back while sleeping. Furthermore, the pillow can adapt to your sleeping position which makes it great for front, back and side sleepers.
We liked how the cover has been made with ventilation features. This works to provide you with lots of circulation so that you can remain cool and sleep easier. Furthermore, users have been liking how the pillow is resistant to dust mites as it enables you to sleep more comfortably without dealing with bites.
LANGRIA Knee Pillow
LANGRIA’s knee pillow is excellent for placing between your knees while sleeping on your side. It provides your body with extra support so that your spine can remain in a more natural position to alleviate pain.
Highlights:
- High-quality foam materials
- Washable cover
- Can be used as a small footrest
People have also been liking how they can put the pillow at the end of their bed to use it as a mini footrest. The materials used to make the pillow include high-grade memory foam materials.
As a result, you can expect to feel incredibly comfortable and supported. The memory foam contours to the shape of your body for further support and tension relief for your back. We also liked how the pillow cover can be easily removed.
It has a zip that can simply be opened to remove the cover which enables you to have an easy time washing it and keeping the pillow hygienic.
ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow
The ComfiLife orthopedic knee pillow has been made with an ergonomic design that allows you to slot it in between your legs comfortably. As a result, you’re able to sleep while relieving pressure from your spine and lower back.
Highlights:
- Breathable design
- High-density foam
- Washable cover
We liked how high-density foam materials have been used to make this pillow as it enables the pillow to contour to the natural shape of your body which makes it feel more comfortable. In addition to this, the high-density foam prevents the pillow from going flat.
You can remove the cover due to the zip design which lets you have an easy time washing it and maintaining the cleanliness of the pillow. The cover also has a breathable design that’s excellent for preventing you from getting too warm at night.
BeautifulLife Bolster Pillow
If you suffer from back pain and want to be able to sleep in different positions more comfortably, this bolster pillow may be just what you need. You can place it under your knees when lying on your back or in between your legs while sleeping on your side.
Highlights:
- Dual layers of comfortable memory foam
- Can use it to sleep in different positions
- Breathable design
This provides your back with more support so that you can relieve pressure and sleep more comfortably. You can also place the pillow on your lower back while sitting up to keep yourself supported.
We liked how there’s a dual-layer of memory foam materials on the inside that enables you to remain comfortable and supported. The pillow also has breathable features that allow you to feel cool to sleep better.
How To Choose A Pillow For Back Pain
Firmness
The best pillows for back pains are the ones that have a high or medium density. Gel or foam materials are often used to achieve medium or high-density pillows and they’re great for supporting your back while also contouring to the natural shape of your shoulders and neck.
Pillows that are too soft cause your body to sink into them which leaves your back with minimal support. So, be sure to find a pillow with medium or high-density to give your back the proper support that relieves tension while you sleep.
Materials & Thickness
Looking at the type of cover that has been used over the top of your pillow is an important factor as it affects how you maintain the pillow. Most people prefer removable covers as they’re easier to take off and put into the washing machine.
However, others may only let you clean the surface without taking it off. Finding a hypoallergenic cover may also be best as it prevents your skin from being irritated to ensure you can sleep soundly.
The thickness of your pillow is impacted by the type of materials that have been used to stuff it. To reduce back pain, we recommend avoiding pillows that are stuffed with feathers as they don’t provide enough support and cause you to sink too low down. Instead, pillows with foam or gel materials are best.
Shape & Size
When it comes to finding a pillow that minimizes your back pain, the type of size and shape will vary wildly depending on where exactly you’re experiencing the pain. For example, people who want to sleep in different positions would want a pillow that can be tucked in between their legs and under their knees so that they have the option to sleep on their side and back.
Others may want a pillow that they can use to keep their back supported while laying up in bed watching TV. So, it’s best to consider the main uses you want to gain from using a back pillow to make sure you look for the ones with features that suit your needs best.
Why You Need A Good Pillow For Back Pain
Using a pillow for back support while sleeping is incredibly helpful for enabling your spine to be properly aligned while you sleep. If you’ve been suffering from back pain, it may get worse at night and in the mornings when you wake up.
It’s recommended for people suffering from back pain to sleep on their back as it’s the best position to keep your back in a neutral position to relieve pressure and reduce pain. Sleeping on your side may be more comfortable but you have to couple the position with the right kind of position to minimize pressure on your back.
If you’ve been dealing with back pain for a while and are struggling to sleep at night, you may wake up feeling sluggish and unmotivated for the day. This can quite easily lead to sleep deprivation if you find yourself tossing and turning most nights.
When your quality of sleep is low, back pain can get worse. This can cause you to become stuck in a cycle where you’re unable to improve your back pain due to a lack of quality sleep. You’re also unable to sleep properly because of back pain.
Using pillows to help with back pain can help to alleviate pressure and keep your spine aligned so you can sleep better. The better you can sleep, the better your body can perform when it comes to repairing your body at night to improve back pain.
Best Sleeping Positions For Back Pain
Before you pick a pillow for back pain, it’s best to consider the position that you prefer to sleep in. This is because you can find different types of pillows for your head, as well as ones that go under your knees or in between your legs.
If you like to sleep on your front or back, the head pillows or ones that you can place underneath your knees would be best.
People who like to sleep on their side should use a contour pillow that can fit in between their knees. The pillow keeps your spine, hips, and pelvis inline which reduces pressure so that you can sleep without as much pain.
While sleeping on your stomach isn’t recommended if you have back pain, some people may find it’s the only position that they find comfortable. If you are going to sleep on your stomach, it’s best to put a pillow under your pelvis to minimize pressure on your back and neck.
One of the best positions for helping with back pain is lying on your back. You can place a pillow underneath your knees to reduce pressure in the hips and neck while also ensuring that your spine is aligned.
Conclusion
The MALOUF Gel-Infused Pillow is our number one pick when it comes to back relief pillows. It comes in a great range of sizes, keeps you cool, and contours to the shape of your body so that you can be supported and comfortable.
We also recommend considering the other lumbar back support pillows that we’ve reviewed. They all come with fantastic back support features that may suit you better. Hopefully, you can put the information found in this review to good use to find the right pillow for bad backs to improve your condition.
