My aunt had been complaining of lacking muscle strength and getting pins and needles sensation in her hand. My mom was worried went with her to the doctor and after a few tests, they discovered that she has a pinched nerve in her neck.
Luckily, my aunt’s case wasn’t serious, and the doctor just advised her to do a few simple exercises every day and to get a pillow that can help with her neck pain. So, we went in search of the best pillow for a pinched nerve in the neck.
If you have a pinched nerve in the neck, you need to go for either memory foam or a water-based pillow since these can provide you with the support that you need.
Go for the highly-rated Mediflow Waterbase Pillow that has been clinically proven to reduce neck pain or the Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow.
Keep in mind that the Mediflow pillow is suitable for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. Sleep Innovations pillow is NOT suitable for stomach sleepers because it’s too high but it’s good for side and back sleepers.
It’s important to notice that if you have a pinched nerve, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach because it puts your neck in a bad position.
Pillows for Pinched Nerve in Neck
WINNER  |
Mediflow Water Pillow
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RUNNER UP  |
Sleep Innovations Contour Pillow
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BEST FOR HOT SLEEPERS  |
Xtreme Comforts Bamboo Pillow
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Best Sleep Positions for Pinched Nerve in Neck
The best sleeping position if you have a pinched nerve is sleeping on your side. It’s easiest on your neck.
Sleeping on your back is also fine as long as you have a pillow that offers good support. However, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach because it’s the worst sleeping position for the pinched nerve. It puts your neck in an unnatural position and can make the pain even worse.
If you’re a stomach sleeper it’s best to start training yourself to sleep on your side or back.
Best Pillows for Pinched Nerve in Neck 2024: Reviews
#1 Mediflow Waterbase Pillow
Top-Rated Pinched Nerve Pillow in 2024
Like I’ve mentioned before, a water-based pillow is one of the best when it comes to providing to support and relief for a pinched nerve in the neck.
And, when it comes to water-based pillows, this product from Mediflow is one of the best.
The Mediflow Waterbase Pillow has been clinically proven to help with neck pain and improve sleep quality. This is mostly thanks to its water base which automatically adjusts to give you support as you move during your sleep.
You can also adjust the firmness of the pillow by adjusting the amount of water.
Finally, you get to choose what kind of fill you want, be it fiber, down or memory foam.
Pros
- Lots of options for customization
- Provides excellent support
- Comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year warranty against defects
Cons
- Requires trial and error to get the perfect amount of water
#2 Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow
Second best pillow for a pinched nerve in the neck
Memory foam is one of the best materials when it comes to pillows for a pinched nerve in the neck.
But, it’s even better when it’s used in a contoured support pillow like the Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow.
This pillow has been designed to provide the therapeutic support and gentle alignment that you need to reduce pain and stiffness. You can even choose whether you want to use the higher or lower contour.
Pros
- Provides excellent support
- You get to pick from two contours
- Comes with a 5-year limited warranty
Cons
- Its shape makes it hard to use for stomach sleepers
#3 Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Best Pillow for Pinched Nerve in Neck for Hot Sleepers
This pillow from Xtreme Comforts is made from memory foam and paired with a micro-vented bamboo cover.
I recommend it for hot sleepers who have a pinched nerve in their neck.
The Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow has an inner zipper, so you can easily remove or add more shredded memory foam to customize it to fit your needs.
You can also rest without any worries using this pillow which is free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and flame retardants.
You can take advantage of its flexibility, so you can keep your head, neck and spine properly aligned no matter if you’re a back, stomach or side sleeper.
Pros
- Breathable and hypoallergenic
- Mold and dust mite resistant
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and 6-year warranty
Cons
- Memory foam bunches up after a long time of use
Choosing the Best Pinched Nerve Pillow
Material
The most important thing you have to consider when buying a pillow for your neck pain is the material.
Memory foam and water-based pillows are your best options since they can provide you with the support that you need.
Memory foam conforms to your head and neck while water-based pillows lessen the shock to your vertebra.
On the other hand, feather pillows can make your pinched nerve worse since it doesn’t provide enough neck stability.
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position is another factor that will help you determine the kind of pillow that you need.
- Sleeping on the back – If you sleep on your back, it’s best to get a pillow that is fairly low pillow that’s contoured to support your neck.
- Sleeping on the side – Side sleepers need to get a higher pillow to keep their head, neck and spinal in their proper alignment. Contoured support pillows are very helpful as well.
- Sleeping on the stomach – This sleeping position stresses the neck so it’s best if you can try to change your sleeping habit. Otherwise, a flat pillow can be used to keep your head and neck in a neutral position. A pillow should also be used to support your hips and abdomen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better for your neck to sleep without a pillow?
The answer to this depends on your type of sleeping position. In general, back and side sleepers benefit from using a pillow during sleep.
These types of sleepers require the help of a pillow to support their head, neck and spine. However, stomach sleepers do benefit from not using a pillow.
Do pinched nerves go away on their own?
Most cases of pinched nerves do go away on their own. But, if you’re experiencing persistent pain, numbness, loss of sensation or progressively worsening pain, it’s best to seek medical treatment.
Can magnesium help with nerve pain?
Studies have found that magnesium is a powerful but natural painkiller. It is found to play a role in regulating pain and in decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory proteins.
Since it is an inexpensive and readily available dietary supplement, you can work with your doctor on how you can use it to help with your nerve pain. I recommend the highly-rated Doctor’s Best High Absorption Magnesium.
Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve in the neck?
A good chiropractor will be able to help you alleviate your neck pain while still addressing the root of the problem and strengthening the affected area.
Is ice or heat better for a pinched nerve?
The answer to this depends on the symptoms that you are experiencing. Heat therapy is good for relaxing tense muscles and decreasing muscle spasms.
On the other hand, cold therapy can help with inflammation of pain. You can even alternate both hot and cold if you want.
Conclusion
So, what’s the best pillow for pinched nerve in neck in 2024?
The right pillow can alleviate the pain and discomfort that you feel when you have a pinched nerve in the neck.
For this, I recommend the highly-rated Mediflow Waterbase Pillow. You can adjust the firmness and thickness of the pillow by increasing or decreasing the amount of water that you add. You can also pick what kind of fill you want for maximum comfort and support.
Your second best pillow for a pinched nerve is the Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow. Its material, memory foam, along with its contoured shape, will give you the support that you need when you’re suffering from neck pain.
Last but not least – sleep positions. Be sure to sleep on your side or on your back and avoid stomach sleeping.
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