Best pillow for cervical hernia: Physio review (buying guide)

If you suffer from a cervical disc herniation, you certainly know how painful this condition can be, disrupt daily activities and alter quality of life.

Pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, numbness and tingling in the upper limbs… These are the symptoms that can make even the simplest tasks difficult to accomplish when suffering from a cervical hernia !

It is therefore crucial, in addition to having good medical care, to find appropriate solutions to relieve the symptoms of this pathology, in particular by investing in a matching pillow!

Indeed, among the key elements that can help you in your quest for relief, the pillow plays a crucial role ! A pillow adapted to your cervical disc herniation will help you maintain good posture, reduce pressure on your neck, and promote muscle relaxation while you sleep.

However, with the multitude of options available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best pillow to meet your specific needs. This is why in this article we are giving you the benefit of our experience in the field of health to guide you in your search for the ideal pillow!

As you read on, you'll discover the features to look for when buying a pillow for cervical hernia, the different types of pillows recommended by the experts, as well as the important criteria to take into account to make the best choice!

We will also share some practical advice to maximize the benefits of your pillow and provide you with restful sleep. It's time to say goodbye to restless nights and constant pain!

Product	Cervical hernia pillow
For who ?	People with herniated disc at the level of cervical spine.
Benefits	– Relieves neck pain – Adequate support of the cervical spine – Improved comfort during sleep – Reduces morning stiffness – Prevents hernia complications – Great adjustability
Drawbacks	– Not necessarily suitable for all patients – Sometimes requires a period of adaptation – Limitations of movements – Bulkier, less easily transportable – Often higher cost
alternatives	– Using a rolled up towel - A ergonomic mattress - A mattress topper
Our opinion	Choosing the right pillow when presenting with a herniated cervical disc is crucial as it provides adequate support to the cervical spine, relieves pressure on the intervertebral discs and helps alleviate the associated pain. An inappropriate pillow, in addition to compromising the quality of sleep, can aggravate the pathology and increase the risk of complications!

Our recommendations

Your doctor has diagnosed you with cervical disc herniation ? If the answer is yes, know that, in addition to your medical treatment, you must adopt a number of changes in your daily life so that you can "live in peace" with this chronic condition!

Among these changes, one of the most important is to create an optimal sleep environment, in particular by investing in a adapted bedding (pillows, mattresses, mattress toppers, etc.).

Here is our selection of pillows suitable for cervical hernia most popular with patients and the most recommended by experts health :

Last updated on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

A few words about cervical disc herniation

La cervical disc herniation is a condition that affects the spine, specifically the region of the neck, called the cervical spine ou cervical spine. The latter is composed of 7 vertebrae stacked on top of each other, with flexible structures between each vertebra called « intervertebral discs ».

Un intervertebral disc is a cushion-like structure that acts as a damper between the vertebrae and allows the flexibility spine.

A cervical disc herniation is a pathological situation in which one of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region shifts from its normal position.

Imagine that the intervertebral disc is kind of thick jelly inside a more rigid envelope (gelatinous core enclosed in a fibrous envelope). When a herniated disc occurs, the "jelly" comes out through a crack or tear in the outer casing. This can happen due to a normal age-related wear, trauma or jerk.

When the disc moves from its normal position, it can compress nearby nerves, causing symptoms such as neck pain, to shoulders and arms, as well as numbness, tingling or an muscular weakness in these areas.

Faced with such a clinical picture, a consultation with a doctor is rigorous! The latter, to make the diagnosis of herniated cervical disc, performs a complete clinical examination and a imaging exam, usually a scanner or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment of a cervical disc herniation relies in most cases on the prescription of medications analgesics, physiotherapy sessions, the use of a cervical collar or "neck brace » to support the neck, and in some cases, surgery.

Last updated on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

Alongside medical treatment, it is important to adopt a certain number of healthy habits to get better, that is to say to have less pain, less numbness... Find a pillow suitable for cervical disc herniation, for example, can effectively help relieve symptoms and improve sleep by promoting a good alignment of the spine when suffering from cervical disc herniation !

Pillow for cervical hernia: what is it?

If you are suffering from cervical disc herniation, it is important to replace your old pillow with a suitable pillow on this condition.

Indeed, there are pillows specially designed to offer a appropriate support for the cervical spine, relieve pressure on the intervertebral discs et promote comfortable sleep, which is of paramount importance when presenting a cervical disc herniation.

Pillow for cervical hernia: advantages

The pillows specially designed for people with hernia cervical disc recommended by healthcare professionals offer several bespoke, mostly :

• Neck pain relief: One of the most important benefits of cervical disc herniation pillows is their ability to provide effective long-term pain relief. These pillows are in fact designed to keep the cervical spine aligned and reduce pressure on the intervertebral discs, which helps to alleviate pain and other symptoms associated with cervical disc herniation (numbness, headaches, etc.).

• Good support for the cervical spine: Cervical disc herniation pillows provide optimal support to the cervical spine by maintaining a neutral neck and head position during sleep. This greatly helps in reducing tension and pressure on the cervical vertebrae.

• Sleep improvement: By relieving pain and promoting a comfortable sleeping position, cervical disc herniation pillows can improve sleep quality.

• Reduction of morning stiffness: people with cervical disc herniation often have morning stiffness and sharp pain upon waking. A suitable pillow can help reduce this stiffness by keeping the cervical spine in the correct position during sleep.

• Prevention of complications: a suitable pillow can help prevent complications related to cervical disc herniation. Indeed, by keeping the cervical spine correctly aligned, it is possible to reduce the risk of nerve compression and slow down the deterioration of the intervertebral discs.

• Adjustability: Most cervical disc herniation pillows offer customization and adjustment options to fit individual preferences. This allows each person to find the level of support and comfort that works best for them.

Pillow for cervical hernia: disadvantages

While pillows specifically designed for people with herniated cervical discs offer many benefits, there are also a few potential downsides to consider.

Here are some of cons possible:

• Individual adjustment: each person has specific preferences and needs when it comes to cervical support and comfort. Although it is specially designed for people with cervical disc herniation, it may not suit all individuals equally – hence the need to try different pillows to find the one that offers the best. better support and personal comfort.

• Adjustment period: Switching from a traditional pillow to a pillow specifically designed for cervical hernia may require a period of adjustment and adaptation. Some people may need some time to get used to the new shape and feel of the pillow, which may initially affect their quality of sleep.

• Movement restrictions: Cervical hernia pillows, being designed to maintain a specific position of the cervical spine, can slightly limit freedom of movement during sleep, which can be uncomfortable for some people who prefer to change positions often during the night.

• Size and Portability: some pillows specifically designed for neck problems may be bulkier or heavier than traditional pillows, which can make transporting and using them on the go more difficult.

• Cost : Cervical hernia pillows are often more expensive than traditional pillows.

These disadvantages vary depending on the specific model and brand of pillow. It is therefore essential to take into account your own preferences, needs and medical condition when choosing your pillow!

My opinion as a physiotherapist

In the daily practice of my job as physiotherapist, I regularly have patients who complain of neck pain and discomfort in the neck, especially those who suffer from cervical disc herniation. For these people, I always recommend the use of a suitable pillow.

Feedback from my patients clearly indicates that the use of an unsuitable pillow is often the cause of an aggravation of their symptoms.

Indeed, when using traditional pillows, some report an increase in pain, morning stiffness and a feeling of increased tension in the cervical region. Some patients have even noticed that their symptoms worsen over time due to poor neck support during sleep.

On the other hand, when my patients use pillows specially designed for herniated cervical discs, they almost always report a clear relief of their symptoms. They usually describe a decrease in pain, a better quality of sleep and decrease in morning stiffness.

Some of them also report feeling a reduction of nerve compression and improving their ability to carry out their daily activities.

In my practice, I regularly recommend the use of pillows suitable for my patients with cervical disc herniation. I explain to them the importance of maintain a neutral position of the neck and head during sleep to reduce pressure on weakened intervertebral discs and surrounding cervical structures. I also emphasize the importance of adequate cervical spine support to promote healing and minimize complications.

By combining the feedback from my patients and my professional knowledge, I am convinced that the use of a suitable pillow is an essential part of the overall treatment of cervical disc herniation. It helps relieve pain, improve sleep quality and promote recovery.

However, I always recommend that my patients suffering from cervical hernia strictly follow the recommendations of their attending physician and have regular medical follow-up.

How to choose the right pillow when you have a herniated disc?

When for his choosing a pillow suitable for a herniated cervical disc, it is important that you take into account several criteria of which here are the main ones:

• Cervical support
• height or thickness
• Filling materials
• personal comfort
• Breathability and hypoallergenicity
• Ease of maintenance

Cervical support

The ideal pillow should offer a adequate support to your cervical spine by maintaining a neutral position of your neck and head. It must maintain the natural curve of your cervical spine (cervical lordosis) in order to relieve the pressure exerted on your intervertebral discs as much as possible during sleep.

Less pressure on the cervical intervertebral discs is less neck pain on waking, less numbness et less risk of long-term complications of the hernia.

pillow height

The height of the pillow is important for maintain alignment of your cervical spine during sleep.

You should choose right height according to your favorite sleeping position (back, side or belly) and your individual morphology.

A height-adjustable pillow can be beneficial to allow for optimal customization, especially if you're the type to adopt different sleeping positions.

Filling material

Cervical disc herniation pillows are usually made from materials such as memory foam, natural latex or hypoallergenic fibers. It's important to choose a material that provides firm support, but is also comfortable and durable.

Personal comfort

Each individual has different comfort preferences. Some prefer a firmer pillow, while others prefer a softer pillow. So choose a pillow that matches your personal comfort preferences, while providing the right support for your cervical disc herniation.

Breathability and hypoallergenicity

Breathable pillows promote good air circulation, which helps maintain a comfortable temperature while sleeping.

Also, if you have allergies or hypersensitivities, it is best that you choose a pillow Hypoallergenic to minimize allergic reactions.

Last updated on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

Ease of maintenance

Prefer a pillow with a removable and machine washable cover. This makes it easy to keep your pillow clean and hygienic.

Obviously, it is always recommended to consult a health professional, such as a doctor or an orthopedic specialist, in order to benefit, in addition to adequate medical care, from personalized pillow and bedding advice.

Here are some of the most recommended pillows for healthcare professionals and the most popular with people suffering from herniated discs or other pathologies that manifest as chronic neck pain:

Last updated on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

What is the best position to sleep with a cervical hernia?

If you suffer from a herniated cervical disc, it is very important to ensure that you always keep your cervical spine in a neutral position so as to put the least possible stress on this region. Since we spend a good part of our life sleeping, we can easily guess that the sleeping position plays a key role in the relief of symptoms and the general evolution of the disease.

Although there is no universally best position for sleeping when presenting with a herniated disc, here are some general guidelines:

• Position on the back: it is often recommended for people with cervical disc herniation. In this position, place a thin pillow support under the head and neck, so as to keep the cervical spine aligned with the spine. You can also place a pillow under the knees to reduce the pressure on the lumbar spine.

• Position on the side: if you prefer to sleep on your side, choose the side that suits you best and place a fairly thick support pillow between your head and your shoulder. Make sure the pillow fills the space between your head, neck and mattress to maintain a neutral position of your cervical spine.

Here is one of the best pillows for sleeping on your back or side in case of cervical disc herniation with an excellent quality/price ratio:

Last updated on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

• Avoid the prone position: the prone position is generally not recommended for people with cervical disc herniation, as it can cause excessive rotation of the neck and put additional pressure on the cervical structures. However, it is possible to limit the stress on the neck by investing in a pillow adapted to this position.

Here is an excellent memory foam pillow whose thickness and shape are suitable for people who prefer to sleep on their stomach:

Last updated on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Partners API

It is important to find the sleeping position which offers you the most comfort as well as relief. You can experiment with different pillow positions and adjustments to determine what works best for you.

Conclusion

The use of a suitable pillow to people suffering from cervical disc herniation can make all the difference in your quest for relief and comfort through proper cervical support, maintaining your cervical spine alignment, and reducing stress on your intervertebral discs.

By investing in a pillow specially designed for cervical hernia, you can improve the quality of your sleep, optimize your recovery and regain a better quality of life. Never underestimate the importance of choosing the right pillow for your cervical health, because it can be the perfect companion to soothe your pain and offer you restful nights sleep!