Cervical Spondylosis

[horselady]

Anyone on AB have this? I am looking to buy a comfy pillow and am after some recommendations.

[Buenchico]

I don't suffer from the condition but I've been looking around the web to see what's on offer. A major problem seems to be that 'specialist' pillows for neck pain, which are reviewed by some people as being a wonderful solution to their pain problems, can be reviewed by just as many others saying that they found them totally useless. (So even if another ABer knows of something that works for them, it might not necessarily help you).

The NHS website does mention that you might also need to think about your mattress:
"Make sure your mattress is relatively firm – a soft mattress could mean your neck is bent while you sleep"

. . and your actual sleeping position:
"Avoid sleeping on your front, and make sure your head is in line with your body (not tilted to the side) if you sleep on your side"

. . . and provides this general advice about pillows:
"Only use enough pillows (usually only one) to keep your head level with your body"

Even though I don't suffer from cervical spondylosis though, I still suffer from a few aches and pains and need to find the best sleeping position. My own solution is to forget about expensive 'specialist' pillows and to simply buy some Asda 'value' ones. (At two for £3 they don't exactly break the bank!). Then I can choose to use them singly, in pairs or even, as they're so thin, folded in half. Perhaps some similar experimentation might benefit your own needs (and save you some money at the same time?).

[TheChair]

I've suffered for 39 years. Never found any pillow that helps.

[Garaman]

I have suffered some twenty odd years and I would say that you need to experiment to find the right thickness of pillow to suit your own condition. I have found that I am best with a very thin pillow and actually sliced a foam pillow in half so that I have one that works for me. I would experiment with various thicknesses before investing in anything special.

[jennyjoan]

I find this past 15 years buying and replacing feather pillows does it for me.

I start off lying on two plumped out and as night goes on the pillows goes thinner but it seems to suit me. It has been a long time since I have had neck pain.

I buy goose down only - no "wee bones" etc - they are expensive but so worth it. Good luck horselady.

[gingejbee]

I don't have your problem, but used to have neck/shoulder ache after waking. I was recommended to try a spelt-filled pillow.....now, I really can't sleep with any other pillow (I take it with me when I'm away!). I've always disliked soft fluffy pillows so the firmness of spelt is ideal and you can move the filling around so you get support in just the right place.

[horselady]

Thank you all so much, knew I would get help on here. Buenchico, thanks for your research, we changed the mattress last year so won't be doing that again for years (if ever again!) It seems that most of you suggest the thin pillow thing, so I will try that and save some money.

[dannyk13]

I use a memory foam pillow and sleep on my back.I find that sleeping on my side aggravates it when I roll over.