Neck Pain: Feather or Not Your Pillow Makes a Difference

When I went about investigating the information for this blog, I was armed with a very healthy disdain for any commercial claims that a certain pillow will reduce neck pain. My feeling was that any studies paid for by the manufacturer of said pillows were null and void. This disdain, along with my own attachement to my beloved feather pillow combined to make for a very strong skeptic. But what I found has changed my attitude slightly.

Most of the studies I encountered were either poorly designed or were paid for by the manufacturer of a certain pillow. But I did come across two independent studies that changed my mind. The first study looked at physiotherapy treatment either with or without a "special neck pillow." At the end of the 4 week treatment session, there was no difference between the two groups... HOWEVER at both 3 and 12 months after discharge, the group with the pillow had significantly less pain. In other words, the pillow helped to maintain the changes gained through physio.

The second study that helped open my mind to cervical pillows was one in which patients were devided into 4 groups: The first got massage and heat or cold (control group), the second got the control treatment plus exercises, the third got the control treatment plus a cervical pillow and the fourth were given the control treatment, exercises AND a cervical pillow. Only the group given both the exercises and a cervical pillow improved significantly more than the control group.

On a side note... much to my own sadness... almost all studies I looked at reported that the feather pillow was the worst option for neck pain and quality of sleep!

So the take home from these studies is that the cervical pillow will not take the place of an inclusive physiotherapy program, but will increase your benefit from the treatment both during and after you are done! My advice to people is to try a rolled up towel under your neck in your pillowcase. If that helps, a cervical pillow might be a worthwhile investment.

Picture courtesy of
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