IT’S SLEEP SUNDAY – LET’S TALK ABOUT PILLOWS…

Pillows are so important to people suffering from any type of back pain or other conditions like Fibromyalgia and CFS.

Even if you have spent a fortune for the best mattress in the world, there’s a good chance you won’t know true comfort until you’ve purchased a pillow specifically targeting your type of pain — whether it’s in your upper back, lower back, neck, shoulders or beyond. It can also depend if you are a front, side or back sleeper.

For me personally it has to be very soft as I am a front sleeper which I know is not ideal for my neck and back but how do you change a habit of a lifetime.

Tim Everett, from The Bad Back Company, who I write a regular blog post for said “Waking up with a painful neck or back is not a good way to start the day. However, some simple bedtime routines that I give to my patients may just help. For side sleepers try placing a pillow between your knees, for back sleepers make sure your neck is in a neutral alignment and try placing a pillow under your knees for additional lower back comfort.”

The Sleep Foundation’s top choice of pillows for back pain sufferers are –

• Best Overall – Layla Kapok Pillow
• Best Value – Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
• Best Cooling – Amerisleep Flex Pillow
• Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
• Most Comfortable – Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
• Best Latex – Saatva Latex Pillow
• Best for Back Sleepers – SpineAlign Pillow
• Best Memory Foam – I Love My Pillow Contour Pillow
• Best Lumbar Roll – OTP McKenzie Lumbar Roll Pillow

The Independent’s 2021 best pillows are –

Best pillow – The Simba hybrid pillow: £99, Simbasleep.com

Best memory foam pillow – Eve the memory foam pillow: £59, Evesleep.co.uk

Best goose down pillow – Scooms Hungarian goose down pillow: £75, Scooms.com

Best hypoallergenic pillow – Devon Duvets folding wool pillow: £59, Devonduvets.com

Best eco-friendly pillow – Fine Bedding Company boutique silk pillow: £30, Findbedding.co.uk

Best budget pillow – John Lewis & Partners synthetic soft touch washable standard pillow: £10, Johnlewis.com

Hopefully you can find one suitable for you from the above lists.