Table of Contents
The best pillows for TMJ
How well do you sleep?
Sleep time takes up a third of an average person’s life. While this is already a significant amount of time that requires utmost comfort, sleeping time will still affect the time you are awake, either negatively or positively. For this reason, you should do everything you can to stay comfortable when sleeping.
A good pillow will guarantee better sleep quality and a more productive day. Your productivity depends on how well you rest at night. A comfortable and restful night will also improve your mood. Good pillows help alleviate health complications such as neck stiffness and pain related to bad sleeping postures.
Therefore, to avoid complications associated with poor sleeping postures, you need a suitable pillow to offer you sufficient support. Different people need different types of pillows to suit their various comfort requirements. Which pillows will give you the best comfort and support? This article has compiled some of the best pillows for TMJ based on the features, durability, comfort levels, and price.
Best overall
PureComfort Side Sleeping Pillow
PureComfort Side Sleeping Pillow
The pillow has ear holes that help relieve your ears of pressure from the weight of your head when side sleeping. You can also easily fit in-ear headphones and rest your head comfortably when relaxing.
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Even the most comfortable pillows seldom focus on a comfortable position for the ears. If you are struggling with ear soreness after sleep, this is a good pillow for you. It contains comfortable memory foam that offers all-night comfort for side sleepers. Besides special earholes that protect the ears, it also offers support for your face and neck.
People have different builds and preferences, hence the need for a pillow whose height can be adjusted. This pillow has a three foam panel, allowing you to remove one or two to lower the height or add extra foam if one or two feel too low. Besides, the form is durable and will serve a long time before wearing off.
The pillow is 20 x 4 x 12 inches and weighs 2.97 pounds. Its material is environmentally friendly and allergy-resistant. It also features a soft cover made from bamboo that is easy to clean. It can either be hand washed or machine washed. The level of comfort and durability makes this pillow well worth its price. It makes a good travel pillow, too, since it can easily fit into a travel bag.
However, the earholes on this pillow could get misaligned when a user tosses and turns at night. Some purchasers have complained about having restless nights trying to look for the earholes and reposition themselves. The pillow has two earholes positioned strategically to fit most people and to reach easily during sleep. Ensure the pillow size is suitable for you before purchase.
Best for shoulder relax
Lumia Wellness Cervical Traction Wedge Pillow
Lumia Wellness Cervical Traction Wedge Pillow
This pillow is suitable for cervical alignment to restore a proper posture. Using it correctly and consistently will reduce back pain, soreness of the shoulders, and back pain.
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We perform many different activities that can cause strain to our backs, shoulders, and necks. An example is sitting long hours in the office looking down at a computer. To avoid stiff necks and sore shoulders, you need a pillow that will restore good cervical curvature. This pillow relieves pressure from the shoulders and neck, which helps relieve pain. You can also use this pillow to soothe a headache or migraines.
The pillow is 13 x 6 x 6 inches and weighs 3 ounces. Its core is durable foam dense enough to support the shoulders and neck. The top cover is a skin-friendly bamboo material that is breathable to reduce sweating and prevent odors. This pillow also helps to reduce back pain by restoring proper body posture.
This pillow is easy to clean. The removable outer cover can be hand or machine washed. Furthermore, it is lightweight, making it easy to move around when adjusting positions or traveling, and it is durable since it maintains its shape over a long period. It gives you value for your money by offering superior comfort and durability.
Some purchasers of this pillow have found it too firm and can cause stiffness when used for long, like overnight. However, this pillow isn’t for long time use. It is designed for a few minutes daily to align your neck and spine to the rest of the body.
Best for neck pain
Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow
This pillow adjusts itself based on head size and weight, body weight, shoulder width, and sleeping position for maximum comfort. It allows users to find the most comfortable position for an extended period.
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Many people have a specific sleeping position. What if you keep changing yours and do not have a specific position? This pillow allows you to sleep on your side, back or stomach. It contains medium-level firmness foam and allows you to rest your neck and head at a natural angle to prevent straining of muscles.
The pillow comes with a removable, washable, and breathable pillowcase that prevents sweating and foul odor. Besides, it is dustproof and offers protection to the core. The cover is skin-friendly, and the core comes from anti-allergic material.
This pillow weighs 1.32 pounds and is 22.05 x 14.17 x 4.33 inches. It is multipurpose, suitable for travelers, patients who spend long hours in hospital beds, and everyday use. It offers excellent support to your head, neck, and shoulders to prevent stiffness and pain. It can maintain its shape and firmness over a long time, making it durable and worth its price.
Even though this pillow offers excellent comfort, it does not have a provision to adjust its height. Since different people have different height levels that make them comfortable, some may find it too high while others find it too low. You could adjust this by adding more filling if it is too high or having some removed if it is too low.
Best affordable & best chiropractic pillow
Restcloud C-Shape Cervical Traction Device Pillow
Restcloud C-Shape Cervical Traction Device Pillow
The support has a budget-friendly price for a chiropractic pillow. People with special conditions can use it to relieve painful muscles and stiffness. It is healthy for aligning neck and spine muscles with the rest of the body.
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This pillow offers superior cervical curvature restoration and relief from neck stiffness and pain when used consistently. It has an ergonomic design and a soft outer surface for comfort. The massage nodes on the neck area also help to relax neck muscles. It is suitable for use for a short period daily, like during a meditation session to realign the neck and spine with the rest of the body.
It is 8.66 x 6.69 x 4.72 inches and 10.58 Ounces. It is waterproof, so you can use warm water and soap to clean it. This pillow is affordable, considering its features and superior neck and back tension and pressure relief abilities.
The ability of this neck and shoulder support device to last a long time in use without losing shape and offering superior support makes it very durable. It can make a perfect gift for people who spend long hours working or schooling in postures that strain the neck, back, and shoulder muscles.
While this support is suitable for your posture, it can be uncomfortable to use at first. It may feel hard for some users. Remember that its purpose is to help with contour and not for sleeping long hours. It could take some time to get used to using this pillow. You only need to use it consistently for a few hours daily for the best results.
Best for side sleepers
Misiki Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Misiki Contour Memory Foam Pillow
This pillow has armrests that help protect your hands from numbness for side sleepers. It has wings to lay your head, then place your arms on the armrests for maximum comfort. Its price is also worth it for the level of comfort and support it gives.
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This pillow strikes a perfect balance between comfort and support for the neck with its foam that has moderate firmness. It is neither too firm that it is uncomfortable to sleep on nor too soft to support the neck. It enables you to maintain a good posture while sleeping to avoid shoulder and neck discomfort or pain.
The ergonomic butterfly shape of this pillow aids in relieving tension and pressure on the neck and shoulders. It also helps maintain blood flow to the head and neck, ensuring a comfortable and good night’s sleep. The excellent posture it gives allows for good breathing that prevents snoring.
With 24.5 x 14 x 4.5 inches and a weight of 3.54 pounds, this pillow is suitable for side and back sleepers. The pillowcase that comes with it is easy to clean, skin-friendly, and durable. It can be machine washed or hand washed. Apart from the outer cover, it has an inner sleeve to protect the core from sweat that could penetrate it. The sleeve allows for an odorless and clean environment for sleep.
Some users have complained of soreness and pain after using this pillow. However, this is often due to improper use. Several new users often have it upside down when lying on it. Ensure you have the right side up and follow instructions keenly before use. You can have more filling added or removed to get the perfect height for you.
What to look for in a good pillow for TMJ
Size
Your pillow should fit nicely on your bed. It would be uncomfortable if it were bigger, and you would risk falling off when turning at night if it overlaps. On the other hand, it would be convenient if it was big enough that you could reach it easily when tossing and turning at night without having to tap around looking for it and ruining your sleep.
Ensure special pillows you buy fit you perfectly. For instance, check the size of the earholes to confirm that they align with your build before purchase. People have different builds, so what works well for one person might be too big or too small for another.
Sleeping position
Every sleeping position requires a different type of support from a pillow. For instance, people who sleep on their backs and stomachs do not need pillows like those who sleep on their sides. It is vital to know your sleeping position before picking the best pillow for you.
A person that sleeps on their back will require less support for their head and back. Such people can comfortably use a pillow of medium or low density. People sleeping on their stomachs often need a soft pillow to take some pressure off their neck and get proper posture. On the other hand, side sleepers require extra support to align their head and necks with the rest of their bodies and avoid shoulder pain. Such people often need a medium-firm pillow for a fantastic sleeping posture.
Filling
The core of a pillow contains different materials. The filling can include feather/ down, foam, polyester, cotton, or memory foam. Each choice offers exceptional comfort levels suitable for different people and affects pillow firmness. For example, pillows with feather fillings are softer than those made with memory foam filling. You should choose the filling that gives you the best support and comfort.
Memory foam is the most common filling due to its ergonomic nature. It molds to your body, offering customized support. Some people prefer cotton fillings for their breathable nature but could need frequent replacement since it compresses with time and gets less comfortable.
Firmness
Pillows have different levels of firmness. It can be very firm, firm, medium-soft, or soft. The most flexible ones are often made of feathers, while memory foam makes most firm pillows. Choosing what level of firmness, you need goes beyond preference. You should consider your sleeping position and then choose a firmness level that will give you the healthiest posture for long hours of sleep.
While soft pillows are flexible and suitable for most sleeping positions, firm pillows offer more shoulder and neck support that help to eliminate soreness, stiffness, and pain.
Allergies
Be careful when choosing a pillow if you have allergies. For instance, a person can be allergic to the down used in filling their pillows. You will end up having a restless night due to allergic reactions. If you are allergic but still prefer the filling that triggers a reaction for comfort, use a pillow protection cover.
Alternatively, you could ensure you purchase a pillow that has a hypoallergic filling. These pillows are skin-friendly and do not trigger any allergic reactions.
Special features
Some pillows go the extra mile to be more ergonomic and offer more support. For instance, some have earholes to prevent soreness on your ears after sleeping long hours. Other features include a unique design for pregnancy, reading positions, etc.
For people with medical conditions that need pillows that offer extra support, you can get professional advice and even have a custom-made pillow that suits your needs. If you want temperature control, you can look for pillows with cooling properties or heat pads to get the temperature that you find most comfortable.
FAQ
What makes a good pillow?
There isn’t one pillow that is good for everybody. People need different kinds of support when lying down. A good pillow for one person may be unsuitable for another. However, all good pillows offer needed support and comfort. A pillow that leaves you feeling sore and in pain is probably not the right one for you.
Consider your sleeping position, needed level of firmness, pillow size, and filling before picking out a pillow. If the pillow you choose feels uncomfortable or if you have a unique condition, seek professional medical advice before settling on a pillow for regular use.
What is the best filling for a pillow?
The filling in a pillow determines the level of firmness and the pillow’s weight. There isn’t a type of filling that suits everybody perfectly. We have different builds, sleep in different positions, and have unique conditions that determine the kind of filling suitable for us. Therefore, consider the filling that will give you the most support.
Similarly, choose a filling that will not trigger an allergic reaction for you. Another factor to consider is whether or not the filling in your pillow is durable. Some fillings need more frequent replacement than others.
How can I best clean my pillow?
While most pillow cores can be machine washed, they often get lumpy afterward. You can wash more than one pillow and add towels inside to balance the load to prevent lumpiness. However, most pillows come in removable protective pillowcases that will shield the core from dust, sweat, and water that spills on the pillow. In this case, you do not need to wash the core of your pillow.
You can easily clean the removable cover then put it back on your pillow. To allow drying and airing out, get an extra pillowcase to use while you clean the other one. Also, remember to air out the core to eliminate odors frequently.
When should I replace my pillow?
It is crucial to know when to get a new pillow or replace the filling. Pillows wear out and compress after some time, making them uncomfortable and unhealthy for hours of sleep. For not washable cores, dust and sweat build-up will make them unsuitable for continued use as they pose health risks related to hygiene.
To determine whether you should replace a pillow, check if it has lost firmness, smells off, or does not bounce back after laying on it for a while. You should also replace your pillow, no matter how new it is, if it gives you discomfort, pain, or soreness. Seek professional advice before investing in another one.
How do I know I am using the right pillow?
The right pillow for you aligns your neck, head, and spine for a good posture. It ensures your body maintains a natural curvature even when sleeping for long hours in your preferred sleeping position. You can tell if this is the case by checking if your ears and shoulders are in line and your chin aligns with the sternum.
Final verdict
Sleep time should be peaceful and restful. Pillows play a significant role in ensuring this. However, using the wrong pillow can be more detrimental than using no pillow at all. On the other hand, getting the perfect pillow for your sleeping position and build will guarantee you much-needed support and comfort to enjoy your sleep. You should be careful in ensuring you pick a pillow that suits you.
With the many types of pillows to choose from, it takes time, energy, and resources to land a pillow that best suits you. While this can be exhausting, do not give up. It is good to have a variety if you know what to look for in a pillow. Besides, the result is often rewarding and well worth the investment!
