Sleeping with a good pillow allows your body to rest in its natural alignment. The right pillow can also lessen or prevent back pain. Before we discuss the best pillow for lower back pain when sleeping, let’s look at why you need one and how it can help you.
Any pre-existing lower back pain can be worsened by poor posture during the day and as we sleep. We can lessen these pain pressure points by using an appropriate pillow. A pillow should adjust to fit your body shape and sleeping position.
Why You Need a Suitable Pillow for Back Pain While Sleeping:
Experiencing back pain at night leads to:
- an increased focus on the pain as there are no daily distractions
- difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
- taking medications that can also disrupt sleep
- limited daily exercise, further worsening sleep
Ironically, a bad night’s sleep can result in more intense back pain. Sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep stops our bodies from releasing growth hormones. These hormones are needed for relieving pain and healing the body.
Another unfortunate consequence of lack of sleep is depression. Having chronic back pain can also lead to depression, as it affects all aspects of our lives, and this can be overwhelming and difficult to cope with. So, we have a catch-22 situation. Back pain negatively affects our sleep quality, and poor sleep can worsen back pain.
Pillows for Lower Back Pain When Sleeping
There are so many options to choose from when selecting a pillow for back pain while sleeping. For relief from this unfortunate cycle of back pain, we have some product suggestions for the best pillow for lower back pain when sleeping.
![Gel Lumbar Support Pillow for Bed Relief Lower Back Pain-Cooling Memory Foam Back Pillow for Sleeping-Waist Sleep Cushion for Side& Back Sleepers-Wedge Bolster Pillow Bed Rest [US. Patent Design]](https://malpracticecenter.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TkRGTlRYSjJLekkwUzB3dVgxTk1NVFl3WHk1cWNHYz18MTcyMjE4NjQ2OA=)
Popular option: Aupdem Gel Lumbar Support Pillow
- 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻? - When you lie on the bed, is there a gap between your lower back and the mattress? Don't Hesitate, “Aupodem” full gel Back Pain Pillow with a wide, flat surface and a built-in center arch, it can maintain the correct alignment of your spine while you sleep.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞 - The full gel cooling cover to keep your lower back cool and reduce sweat. The High-Density Moulded Sponge provides long lasting comfort for hours.
- 𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 - 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝! Our full gel back sleeping pillow undergo strict, third-party lab testing and GREENGUARD Gold certified to ensure safety and quality.
According to data, this size pillow suits more than 85 % of the population. With a wide surface and center arch, the pillow maintains your back’s correct alignment. The core is made from memory foam, and the cooling gel cover will keep your back cool and reduce sweating on summer nights.
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| This pillow was life-changing. I liked the gel’s cooling effect. It keeps me comfortable the whole night. | The gel side is not comfortable if you lie on your side. The pillow is a bit thick. The gel pods are too firm. |
Popular Brand Pick: Restcloud Lumbar Support Pillow
- Lumbar Support Pillow for Bed fills in the gap when lay on side and back sleeping. It cradles low back and provides enough comfort to sleep peaceful and also comfortable to do exercise on.
- A removable pad gives two choices of firmness and height. It provides the perfect lifting and support necessary to allow muscles to stretch, relax and loosen.
- Lumbar Support Pillow 23.6” width allows any posture, such as back sleeping, side sleeping, and stomach sleeping in bed without having to shift around trying to get comfortable.
The reason this pillow for back pain while sleeping is effective is because it fills in the gap between your spine and the mattress when you lie on your side or back.
The removable pad allows you to adjust how firm and high the pillow is. Use it when sleeping on your side or stomach. The removable outer cover is machine-washable. The non-slip reverse side of the pillow can adhere to a chair or your bed.
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| I love how the pillow feels. The textured back keeps it from slipping. I highly recommend this helpful product. Easily remove the cover to clean it. | It gets a little uncomfortable after a few hours. I found the pillow too flat. It had a slight foam smell. |
Ergonomically designed: Bespilow Lumbar Support Pillow for Bed
- Experience the ultimate sleeping comfort with Bespilow Lumber Pillow – designed to provide superior support and relief for your back, waist.
- Made with certified high-quality odorless memory foam, our waist pillow conforms to your body shape, providing personalized support and reducing pressure points for a restful and rejuvenating sleep.
- Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, our waist pillow helps improve spinal posture and reduce tension in the back muscles and ligaments, promoting better sleep quality and reducing the risk of pain and discomfort.
This product is ergonomically designed to fit the natural curve of your waist. It’s made from certified high-quality, odorless memory foam. Expect tailor-made support and pressure-point relief. This pillow is suitable for side, stomach, and back sleepers. It will improve your spinal posture by reducing tension in your back muscles. The result is better quality sleep. The breathable outer pillowcase is washable. The inner pillowcase protects this durable pillow’s inner core. Use it for naps on the couch as well.
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| It relaxes my spine and aligns it correctly. It’s firm yet soft. | I found it a bit small. I wish this pillow were a bit thinner. It didn’t give me the support I needed. |
Rated five stars by 94 % of customers: Dikuer Heated Lumbar Support Pillow
- 【Professional Pain Relief and Fatigue】: The appearance of this lumbar support pillow is designed to fit the natural curve of the waist. It has a wrapped two-wing design that helps improve spine posture and prevent strain on the lumbar muscles. The central arch-like area resembles a pair of invisible hands supporting the most vital part of the human spine. This back support pillow can perfectly fill the gap between the waist and the bed or chair, providing support and relieving muscle tension.
- 【Removable Heating Pad】：We have equipped our heated lumbar support pillow with a detachable heating pad that contains a fast-heating carbon fiber heating element and is covered by a breathable mesh fabric. This enables better heat transfer to your waist. Compared to regular back support cushion, our lumbar support pillow not only supports the waist but also promotes blood circulation and relieves waist pain. Additionally, back heating pad can be used to alleviate pain in the legs, neck, and shoulders.
- 【Adjustable Temperature and Timer】:The heated back pillow with controller visualization features 3 heating levels from 95°F to 131°F, as well as 3 timer settings from 20 minutes to 60 minutes. You can easily monitor the remaining time and make adjustments. The heated pillow for back is powered by a 6.56-foot long USB charging cable, compatible with standard 5V/1-2A USB outlets, such as PC, wall chargers, power banks, and even car chargers.
This memory foam pillow’s exterior is made of detachable, washable 3D mesh fabric, allowing your back to remain cool. It also has adjustable straps and an anti-slip back. The two-wing design improves your posture by preventing strain on lower back muscles. The pillow’s bonus feature is a detachable heating pad. It has a carbon fiber heating element with an adjustable temperature and timer. This heated pillow for back pain while sleeping is powered by a USB cable. You can charge it on your computer, a wall charger, or even in the car. Use this support pillow in bed, on the couch at your office or on a plane. You can sleep on your side, back, or stomach with it, and it can also be used as a leg pillow.
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| This pillow is firm and comfortable I love that the heating pad is separate. I like the timer options | No negative reviews on the product were found. |
To sum up:
In addition to your mattress and linen, your pillow can affect the quality of your sleep. The choice is daunting with so many types of pillows available to customers today. Some of the things you need to consider are what materials your pillow is composed of, its thickness, how long it will last, whether it can regulate temperature in summer weather and whether you need to use the pillow specifically to help with lower back pain relief.
As discussed above, pillows with an orthopedic shape can be very beneficial. Also, remember that your preferred sleeping position and weight can affect your pillow choice. Personal preferences also come into play when choosing your best pillow for Lower back pain when Sleeping. For example, some customers like memory foam products, while others prioritize eco-friendly products.
Handy Checklist
What to Look for in a Pillow for Back Pain while Sleeping
Consider the following factors:
- durability
- comfort
- type of support
- eco-friendly materials
- durability
- price
Remember: Using the correct supportive pillow can help your spine comfortably rest during the night. Allowing yourself to have enough restorative sleep is the opportunity you give your body to heal itself.
The material inside a pillow determines what level of support the pillow can give you. Popular options such as down or feather pillows don’t provide much structural support compared to those made from firmer materials.
Researches on the Best Pillow for Lower Back Pain When Sleeping
A study conducted in Canada in 2005 found that using a back support cushion when sleeping distributed lumbar pressure over a wider body area. This reduced the contact pressure between the pelvic area and the mattress by lessening the effects of gravity.
Those with back pain need more adjustments to their mattress firmness than those without pain. We can conveniently adjust our spine’s curvature to the mattress’ firmness by adding a pillow. This is a versatile solution to customize support for your back and improve the quality of your rest.
Even though this result seems encouraging, the usual precautions in interpreting results should be applied. The sample size was relatively small, and the results were only analyzed over the short term. Further and more in-depth studies are needed on the subject of choosing a pillow for back pain while sleeping.
The problem with product recommendations is that they are usually based on personal experiences. So, in 2020, Ahmed Radwan et all conducted a scientific literature review on the effect of pillow designs on sleep quality and spinal alignment. They found that there is some consensus among researchers. Supporting the spine’s natural curve appears to be important for more extended periods of deep sleep.
They found that foam rubber, a contoured shape, a height of 7 to 11 centimeters and a cooling surface may promote a better night’s sleep as well as lessen back aches.
While scientific evidence is helpful, those with lower back pain might argue that their comfort and support motivate their decision making. We suggest trying one of the pillows above to see if it affects your pain levels and sleep quality. Due to individual differences and preferences, it’s best to sample various pillows until you find one that suits your needs. You need to sleep with the pillow for some time before you notice any results. We hope you find your best pillow for lower back pain when sleeping.
Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
This content is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be seen as medical guidance. It’s important to consult with a healthcare expert prior to making any changes to your health regimen, including dietary adjustments or the use of supplements.
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