01/26/2010 
While I’ve tried many different pillows over the years, here is my personal opinion about six common types available in stores and online:
1) Down Pillows ($50-300) – These are very luxurious to the touch. Many fine hotels use goose down to impress their guests. The problem, however, is that they are not uniformly supportive. They’re great for pillow fights, but will inevitably strain your neck muscles and spinal joints, so I recommend against sleeping on them.
2) TempurPedic Cervical Pillow ($100-200) - People are tempted to think that if the pillow is expensive, it must be good. When I used this memory foam pillow in 2002, I woke up with neck pain and sternum soreness every morning for a week. Many people use these and love them though, so if you’re strictly a back-sleeper, this pillow is okay. It’s not good for side-sleepers. There are a variety of structural problems within the neck that can make using this pillow unpleasant, so I generally do not recommend it to patients.
3) Atlas-T Pillow ($140) – This brand of pillow is available for purchase online. I tested it out and while I believe it’s decent for back-sleepers, I don’t recommend it for anyone who sleeps on their side. The slope does not offer any room for your shoulder in a side-lying position. For this reason, it’s not on my “recommended” list.
4) Therapeutica ($60-120) – I consider this the “training wheels” of pillows and recommend it for people who are trying to learn how to stop sleeping on their stomachs. It comes in a variety of “custom” sizes from petite to extra large. This is the brand of pillow I use in the resting suite at my St Louis chiropractic office. I know it’s shaped differently than conventional pillows, but my patients really enjoy resting on it, and frequently ask me if they can take it home! It’s great for back and side-sleepers alike. Here’s how to determine the right size. If you want to buy one, they’re sold here.
5) Latex Pillow ($40) – When I tell patients about latex pillows, most tell me they never knew these even existed. A family member of mine likes them so much that she brings one with her whenever she travels. They’re supportive and comfortable for both back and side-sleepers, and generally won’t abnormally flex the neck in either direction. An added benefit is that latex doesn’t break down very easily, so these pillows should last for many years. Whenever a patient asks me what type of pillow they should be using, this is it. Here’s the one I use. It’s the low-loft size.
6) D-Core Pillow ($17-30) – I had high hopes for this pillow when I first tried it… but I found that when resting supine, my head tended to lean to one side or the other because of the angled slope of the D-Core. This put tension asymmetrically on one side of my neck, and could easily induce strain and discomfort in someone who falls asleep in this position. The other problem I had with it involved its durability. The material within the pillow seemed to breakdown very quickly. These are also referred to as Tri-Core pillows.
Your opinion made me think. I own a company that manufactures cervical support pillows. My company is not in any way affiliated with any of the pillows you spoke of. Your analysis for pillow number 6 left me wondering. Was your head resting in the center portion or on the side portion of the pillow? I understand that the side portion has a slope the runs down to the center area. Was the slope I just mentioned the issue you spoke about? Durability has a lot to do with fitting the patient with the correct pillow size and density level. The D Core pillow gives fiber support pillows … a bad reputation. Thank you for this opportunity to place my comment.
Thank you for taking time to comment, David. In answer to your question, my head was resting in the middle of the pillow, but when I woke up my head was turned, supported by the angular slope on the side.
Do you have any thoughts about the delux comfort side sleeper pillow? The design seems a bit more user friendly, but at 99.00, I hate to just try it out.
I bought the latex pillow you recommended and love it. Thank you!
Thanks for the update, Pam, I’m glad you like it!
For the latex pillow, do you recommend the low loft plush or low loft firm? Thanks in advance.
I recommend the low loft firm.
I’m looking into the Z pillow and they offer a shredded version of it…saying it provides better airflow etc. Do you think this will be equally good as the one you’ve recommended? i’m a back and side sleeper. Thx!
Aimee, I prefer the solid consistency of one-piece design. Individual pieces will separate and create unequal support.
I was thinking the high loft plush on the latex pillow you recommended for back sleepers. The plush for softer feel on your head and high loft to allow your head to sink but only to the neutral position of the head and neck in relation to the shoulders and thereby giving you the support you need.
David
David, give it a try. Although I personally like the low loft when sleeping on my back.
Thanks for this awesome analysis of pillows! I am a massage therapist and find that my clients have benefited greatly after finding the “right” pillow. Your information helps so much!
I am enjoying your blog & the info. Good job.
Good blog. Great information. Thanks for providing it and related comments. I’m going to try your pillow.
Hi Dr. Tanase… Have you ever tried the enVy pillow?
Hi Kathy, I have not ever tried the enVy pillow. But thanks for introducing me to it. I’ll look into it.
Any word on MyPillow and Mediflow brands?
I’ve also heard good things about pillows filled with buckwheat hulls
Carson,
I’m not a fan of the “MyPillow” or buckwheat pillows. The Mediflow “Water base” pillows are so-so. I want to like them, but grew tired of it in a short period of time.
Good to hear, I was on the verge of buying a MyPillow when I found out about latex pillows
Thank you, Doctor, for the great info you post. I had a CF of 2-3-4-5, with full nerve damage, which makes sleeping very difficult. I was looking to purchase a latex pillow, but after reading your mattress recommendation regarding memory foam mattress toppers, I was wondering what your opinion is of the Z dough memory foam pillow? Do you believe it is similar to the latex or a close enough fit? Pricing between both is extreme. On a different note, I did purchase a while back a buckwheat pillow–you are correct, it lasted two weeks. The destruction happened when I put it in the dryer to refreshen and the hulls burst out the seams. Tried feathers, made my neck pain worse. Thanks again and I look forward to your posts. May I have your permission with credits to reprint this in our weekly newspaper where I am editor?
Karen, I’m not thrilled with the contour of the Z Dough Memory Foam. So for that reason, it’s not one I recommend.
Please feel free to reprint the article in your newspaper. I’d love a link/copy of the article if you decide to run it. Thank you!
It sounds like you are a back sleeper. Do you recommend the same pillow, low loft firm, for side sleepers?
Help I’ve been sleeping on pillow #2 and I am a side sleeper but I also need good neck support. I am very tall and have neck pain. What pillow besides the latex is out there for me?
Ona, try the Therapeutica… If you’re “very tall” (6’6″ or above), you’re probably going to get the most comfort from a large or X-large size.
I grew up with latex pillows, but have now developed an allergy. Do you have a source of non-latex foam pillows? Kathy
Kathy, you might consider a water-based pillow if you’re looking for something without latex – http://is.gd/yrXuGe
I ask my wife what she wanted for Xmas and she told me a chiropractic pillow because her neck was hurting. Mine also does and I use to sleep on my stomach but I wear a cpap mask now and I can’t sleep on my stomach. So my question to you is where can I buy these pillows? Thank you
Jeff, there are links provided within the article that allow you to purchase them.
I am a petite woman (4’11) and looking to get the latex pillow you recommended for my side-sleeping. Which pillow would you recommend for me?
I have constant neck pain, especially upon waking. I have tried dozens of pillows but cannot find one that works for me. I alternate between side and back sleeping. I also need to find one for my husband who snores very loudly. Which latex pillow (or other) would you recommend?
Thanks
I was in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend and came across a wool pillow. It’s heavy and made with lots of wool, cotton, and a synthetic core I believe. It looked like it could be really comfortable. Have you ever tried these? I’ve been using a cervical pillow for a long time but now I wake up with neck pain. I am a back and side sleeper. I sleep on a TempurPedic mattress and find that only certain pillows work with this mattress.
Thank you so much for the information. I have a lot of neck pain both going to bed and when i wake up (and subsequently throughout the day). I have had physiotherapy, massage therapy, IMS treatment etc.but nothing seems to help. I have tried countless pillows but cant seem to find one thats comfortable. After reading your recommendation on the latex pillows i will definitely try this one next – i have just one question – which one would you recommend for me as I have a very long thin neck? (part of the problem in the first place unfortunately).
Thanks a lot for your help.
Hi Elaine, thank you for the kind words. The low-loft/firm would be my recommendation to you.
You also have me seriously thinking of getting the Latex pillow. I have tried a few others you reviewed, and I agree with you on all of them. I am a side sleeper and woke up with horrible pain using those. I have a serious old childhood whiplash and so much pain with the wrong pillow. Right now I am using a $200 pillow which is comfortable — but I’m in pain so….I’m off to try the Latex one. Thank you for the advice. I am almost ready to get that contraption that allows one to sleep sitting up because it prevents the head from falling in any direction. I’d rather not sleep sitting up, though!
Hi. I am a side sleeper. Average size / height for a woman. Every morning I wake up with dull “sinus” type headaches. Occasionally occipital, but mostly generalized sinus headaches, and I just don’t feel rested. What would be a good option if I am allergic to Latex?
Nicole, I’ll email you directly with an answer to your question.
Dr. Adam, I wake up every morning in pain and I know it’s because of sleeping position/pillows. I have a straight neck (20 yr old total reversal of neck curvature/whiplash), TMJ with associated neuralgia (hard pillows, rolled up towels, and beads tend to make nueralgia flare up), arthritis forming between my shoulder blades, low back issues (tailbone injury), severe and constant allergies and a deviated septum. Because of my deviated septum the only way for me to get a really good nights sleep is on my right side. If I try to sleep on my back I’ve got post nasal drip and coughing fits, occasionally have woken up feeling like I was drowning. For 10 years I was thrilled with a spcific brand of contour pillow, although I would have to replace it every other year. Unfortunately they have since changed the pillows specifications and it no longer works the same. I have tried the medi flow pillows, neck rolls, tons of other brands of contour pillows, down, polyester, the perfect pillow, and several pillows supposedly made for side sleepers. I’ve lost count of how much money I have spent but I’m sure it’s actually into the thousands by now considering that several were over $100.00 each. I’ve read that you recommend Latex but I’m allergic to latex is there anything that you can think of for me?
Sure thing, Penny. I have two recommendations for those with latex allergies.
1) BackJoy Posture Sleep Pillow – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00911XFGK/?tag=chthne0e-20
2) enVy Pillow –
enVy Pillow – enVy Pillow – 113113
While I encourage you to take a look at both of these, the enVy pillow is more suitable for strictly side sleepers. It’s a bit on the firm side, whereas the BackJoy PSP has a more comfortable feel.
Thank you. I will check them out
I ordered a Latex pillow at Sears, but as soon as I got it, I KNEW it was too soft for me. I need firmness under my neck. I also need to sleep on my side or I choke on my back (thyroid heavy). I might try that enVy pillow you recommend. I am currently using an expensive Sleep Number pillow that ‘breathes’. Do you have any opinions on the ContourSide Pillow by Relax The Back®?
Hi Diane, yes, I have tried it but wasn’t a big fan.
Thank you for your valuable opinion! Do you find the enVy pillow to be firm? The firmer the better for me.
Definitely. It’s the firmest pillow I’ve ever seen.
Dr. Tanase – thanks for all of the advice. I am a side sleeper who has been having neck pain for a bit now. I have a cervical pillow that is just not working. I am going to try the latex pillow based on all of this great discussion. Thanks so much for the advice.
I have to THANK YOU for recommending this enVY pillow, because I’ve been sleeping on it for over 2 weeks now and have not woken up in pain once from it. I definitely love it. It keeps my head stable all night long. I used to wake up in pain almost every morning, so this pillow is now my favorite. I sleep so soundly for the first time in probably a couple decades.
You’re welcome, Diane, I’m happy to hear you’re comfortable and sleeping better.