Cervical Neck Pillow

Cervical Neck Pillow and Neck Support Pillow

As a registered nurse I've used a cervical neck pillow with my patients many times over the years. If you’ve been suffering from neck pain for a very long time or if it's only been a recent event you may have thought about buying a cervical neck pillow. Before you shop around and buy a neck support pillow there are quite a few things - tips, facts and warnings I need to tell you about and think you should know and think about before you buy online.

A cervical neck pillow can go by a lot of other names: neck support pillows, memory foam neck pillow, inflatable neck pillow, cervical pillows, neck massage pillow, neck pain pillow, neck shoulder pillow, travel neck pillows, car neck pillow, buckwheat neck pillow, orthopedic cervical pillow, cervical neck roll pillow, cervical travel pillow, cervical memory foam pillow, cervical orthopedic pillow, cervical neck traction, cervical linear traction neck pillow and others. Sometimes this can be confusing.

Years ago there was only one cervical roll pillow as we called it. It looked like the blue neck pillow at the top of this page. Since then many different kinds, styles and models of neck pillows have come out. This can make it more confusing but give you a chance to choose from and try different pillows if you have a difficult or chronic neck problem or injury. You may just be uncomfortable at night or you may have an acute or chronic neck injury and need temporary or permanent best neck support and help.

Anatomy of the Cervical Spine

The cervical portion of the human spine comprises seven bony segments,usually referred to as C-1 to C-7, with cartilaginous discs between each vertebra or vertebral body. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that carry sensory and motor information from the brain down to the rest of the human body. The human neck is highly flexible and allows the head to turn and flex in everyl direction. From top to bottom the cervical spine is gently curved in convex-forward fashion.

Neck Pain Problems and Sources

Common sources of neck pain (and other related pain syndromes, such as pain that radiates down the arm) include: stiff neck, osteoporosis affecting the position of the neck and neck muscle injuries, whiplash, or strained muscle or other soft tissue injury, cervical herniated disc - cervical disc herniation or cervical disc rupture as it's commonly called, other cervical disc problems, cervical spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, vascular sources of pain, like arterial dissections or internal jugular vein thrombosis and cervical adenitis.  

Cervical Neck Pillow Benefits 

What can a cervical neck pillow do for you? You can wake up in the morning totally free of neck and neck muscle pain because the pressure is relieved on your nerves and/or muscles when your head and neck are supported correctly and according to your body alignment.  

You can experience a deeper sleep because your body fully relaxes. No tossing and turning night after night.  

You can breathe easier and even reduce snoring because your air passages are not restricted. Often people find that their snoring problem has been eliminated, depending on the cause of it of course. 

The neck support pillow will help your circulation because your blood will flow better through your muscles because the muscles are totally relaxed.  I recall the pain I had in my neck muscles. My muscles would feel so tight and constricted - and it was difficult to relax them. It was so hard to get comfortable until I got the cervical neck pillow.  

You'll find you have better nighttime alignment and better overall posture because your spine is aligned in a completely natural way that poses no stress on your spine, muscles, tendons and ligaments. 

I've suffered from whiplash myself and I used a blue-green cervical roll neck pillow for several weeks while my neck muscles healed. It provided relief from the first night but it did take a little bit of time getting used to it. I keep that support pillow in my medical home supplies for family emergencies. 

Cervical Neck Pillow Tips 

Because there are so many cervical neck pillows to choose from one may want to consider the cost first if that is important to you. There is a wide range of prices for cervical neck pillows. You may need simple support for your neck.  On the other hand if you've had a chronic neck problem and/or tried a few neck roll and neck support pillows already you may want to take a look at the higher priced pillow that may offer more in terms of traction, etc. A cervical neck pillow price or cost varies from $19.99 to $75.00 and more. 

Unfortunately the best way to know what is the best neck pillow for you is to try them all out.  Since that is probably not possible one has to make an educated guess.  Simple and cheapest may be best as I mentioned or the high end may be your necessary start.  If your neck pillow cost is going to be reimbursed by your health insurance company or health insurance provider that might influence you as to what cervical pillow to buy. 

One of the most important things to realize is that the best cervical neck pillow is going to take some getting used to. Sometimes it happens easily but for some it may take 2 - 3 nights.  You may also find that the pillow makes your neck or neck and shoulders feel worse which may be temporary but if it makes your neck worse you may need to try another pillow. That's another reason why you may want to start with the lower end cheaper neck support pillows first. Many people and patients report that it took a couple of nights to get used to the cervical pillow.

If you're wondering how to make a neck roll pillow, I would think this through carefully.  It may cause more neck problems than you have now and interfere with spinal alignment and you may end up with shoulder and back pain too.

If you're considering a buckwheat neck pillow one of the things to think about is something you don't see often. There has been a problem with buckwheat pillows possibly causing asthma, allergies and other breathing problems. So I cannot recommend a buckwheat neck pillow or buckwheat pillow. 

What Cervical Neck Pillow Users Say 

Cervical neck pillow users report they use them for relief from stiff neck, painful neck, neck pain with tingling radiating down arm, chronic neck pain, cervical neck traction, nerve pain, shoulder pain of all kinds, support for neck while sleeping, pain in the neck, searing neck pain down to shoulder, chronic neck and shoulder problems, proper neck alignment, upper back support, upper back pain, improve cervical curve in neck, restore curve in neck, reduce neck discomfort while sleeping, help stop snoring and for travel by plane or car. 

One user says that she had been having "stiff neck" episodes for several years. Each time more painful and lasting longer. She bought a lot of neck support pillows, expensive and cheap. She hasn't had a stiff neck since she started using the pillow a few months ago. It was uncomfortable in the beginning and she thought she wouldn't like it but her neck didn’t hurt worse it was just uncomfortable so she kept on using it. That is a typical neck support pillow review. 

Cervical Neck Pillow Products and Product Descriptions - Brands - Manufacturers  

Here are three cervical neck pillows for comparisons. Some reviews. When you compare neck support pillows do your research online and compare to neck pillows that you can find, if any that is, at Walmart, Target, Sears and Costco. Some of the higher end neck pillows are not carried in retail stores and may only be available online. All of these neck pillows should be shippable in the US, UK and Canada and possibly other countries.

Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow by Arc4life, list price: $65.95    

This is actually 2 pillows in one.  There is a roll on one side and traction on the other side with neck support.  The traction relieves pain that is caused by nerves.  

If you buy this neck pillow note that it may cause mild soreness in the neck or upper back the first few times you use it. If you have a lot of pain, use your old pillow in conjunction with the Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow. Then gradually increase the number of hours you sleep with the pillow, until you're sleeping through the whole night. 

It can be used for sleeping on your back and ALSO sleeping on your side, whichever is more comfortable for you. You can use the traction side of the pillow (the side with the V) for a gentle stretch OR you can use the opposite support side for excellent support of your cervical spine.  

Product Description 

The manufacturer states it can help restore the normal neck C- curve help you improve your posture, and relieve back and neck pain. The Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow offers superior comfort, and provides the proper ergonomic support while you sleep - it's a one of a kind neck pillow. It's non-allergenic, machine washable, latex free and fits most standard pillow cases. It's used by chiropractors and health professionals. 

This is how it works: the special V shape in the neck pillow cradles your head and gently lifts your head away from your shoulders (like a massage therapist would do). And at the same time, the neck roll underneath you supports your neck. While sleeping on your side, the soft wings of the pillow keep your head at the right height from the mattress, to relieve strain on your neck and shoulders. 

So it works while sleeping on your back or side. The manufacturer says the neck pressure releases, muscles relax and pain goes away. It was especially designed to work for both back and side sleepers. Just flip top to bottom to use the neck roll support only. You can actually use the pillow every single night and for the whole time you sleep. The more you use it the better. Some people may need to gradually increase their usage in stages because of some new muscle soreness from their change from their previous pillow. 

The Cervical Traction Neck Pillow is designed to be comfortable-it is hand stuffed with the best polyester fiber available- its non allergenic and calibrated to the most universally accepted firmness for a delicate balance of softness and effectiveness. Use the traction side for sleeping- thus giving your cervical spine a gentle stretch or use the support side for sleeping. You have your choice.  Product Dimensions: 26 x 20 x 3.5 inches, weighs 3.5 pounds  

McKenzie® Cervical Roll Neck Support by OPTP, price: $18.49    

These are the product features. It fits in a pillowcase along bottom edge of most standard conventional pillows - this is the kind of cervical pillow I used. Has a removable light blue, washable poly-cotton cover and is made of low density foam with a removable and washable cotton/polyester cover. This cervical neck roll gives the necessary support to the cervical structures and still maintains a natural curve. This one is a great pillow to try first if you have minor neck discomfort or a short term injury to the muscles. In any case check with your doctor.   

Strobel Organic Supple-Pedic Contour Pillow - Cervical - Neck   List Price: $79.99  

Product Features 

The Strobel neck pillow is made with a pure organic cotton stretch cover over soy based premium Polyfilax visco memory foam. This cervical neck pillow is designed to support your neck and head while sitting in a chair, on an airplane, or anywhere whenever you need support. The neck support pillow is orthopedic, hypo-allergenic, and pressure relieving.    The product dimensions are: 15 x 7.5 x 25 inches and weighs 2 pounds.  Cervical Neck Pillow Frequently Asked Questions

Regardless of the cervical neck pillow choose make sure to check with your doctor or health professional to make sure it's the right approach for you and your situation. Every situation is different and unique. Consider the tips up above. You don't want to spend a lot of money on a neck support pilow that causes you more pain or doesn't help but at the same time you need to spend enough to get the right pillow that will solve your neck support problem. Pillows may not be returnable due to hygiene reasons. Some pillows work better for side sleeper, some for back sleeper, and some for sleeping on back or side. When you purchase online buy the cervical neck pillow that’s best for you. Cervical Neck Pillow

Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow