Doubt: Ergonomic pillows, good or fake?

[Maximilianus]

Has anyone ever tried an ergonomic pillow? I'd like to know if they are really better than regular pillows to prevent neck/back aches, and if their durability is any higher. Every data will highly be appreciated :)

[billl]

People might disagree (because SOMEONE is buying them) but I would warn you to be careful about memory foam pillows. Personally, I like almost any kind of pillow, and I can actually just lay my head on my arm without using a pillow, and that's fine. But memory foam pillows were uncomfortable for me, way too hard--the only pillow I couldn't use (and, again, I don't even NEED a pillow). If you don't move when you sleep, maybe it'd be OK--you can eventually sink into a comfortable position, if you don't move.

But whenever I adjusted my position, the pillow totally resisted my new way of using it. I kept using the thing for maybe 4 or 5 days (because it was an expensive gift), but finally I had to ditch it. You can't squeeze those things into a good shape and nestle into it or whatever.

ALSO, they have a chemical smell that was a real problem (headaches, etc.) for another person I know.

But I'm just talking about memory foam pillows. Regular pillows in a certain (ergonomic) shape might be OK for some people. The WAY you sleep (on your back/side/face, restless/not-so-restless) would probably be what decides which shape and which material. I like anything besides a memory foam pillow.

Maybe you'd like a memory foam pillow, but don't let the high-price and space-age advertising pressure you into liking them.

[Maximilianus]

Thank you so much for your guidance billl. I actually move a lot while sleeping. I will consider all this. The ones I've seen are not too expensive (then probably not memory foam), though they seem stiffer than the common types.

[kasie]

I bought a shaped pillow years ago on the advice of an osteopath. It certainly helps my neck and shoulder problems and has kept its shape well over the years - just as well as it was mighty expensive. I was however shown exactly which shape would benefit my particular problems - there are lots of different 'ergonomic' pillows available, so it might be wise to take professional advice before forking out a huge sum and finding that not only does that particular pillow not do you any good but actually does you harm.

[Niamh]

I have issues with my neck and shoulder and i find those pillows so uncomfortable. Its easier for me to sleep with one pillow, on my back, with another one tucked under my knees.

[Maximilianus]

I bought a shaped pillow years ago on the advice of an osteopath. It certainly helps my neck and shoulder problems and has kept its shape well over the years - just as well as it was mighty expensive. I was however shown exactly which shape would benefit my particular problems - there are lots of different 'ergonomic' pillows available, so it might be wise to take professional advice before forking out a huge sum and finding that not only does that particular pillow not do you any good but actually does you harm.
Thank you Kasie. To go ask a professional seems the best to do.


I have issues with my neck and shoulder and i find those pillows so uncomfortable. Its easier for me to sleep with one pillow, on my back, with another one tucked under my knees.

I have similar issues and this may work for me too. Thanks Niamh

[Shalot]

those pillows are stupid. I bought one when I was in pain once. Ordered it off tv. Then I was in pain when I got the pillow and it was really stupid and uncomfortable. and then I was in even more pain when I got my bank statement and found out that when I purchased the pillow I was enrolled in a shoppers club for only $19.95 per month autodrafted from my account without my consent. and then I had to close my account ot get them to stop taking my money. The audacity of these places! Who is seriously going to PAY $19.95 a month to be in a shopper's club so that you can save money if you buy a certain kind of products that you probably wouldn't buy for someone you hated. anywya, I went off on a rant. But yeah, those pillows are stupid!

[Maximilianus]

^
Thank you for your opinion Shalot. Probably you should have asked a doctor first, to avoid the bad experience. There are different types of pillows, as kasie said, so you probably got one unfit for your condition.