Are you on a quest to find the best body pillows for back pain? (Maternity Pillows for Back & Hip Pain During Pregnancy)
Then you’re in the right place. Because I have done the hard work for you and have reviewed dozens of models.
In addition, I will introduce the following related topics.
- Product Details (Including advantages and disadvantages)
- Benefits of Body Pillows
- Body Pillows for Back Pain Buyer’s Guide
- Types of Body Pillows for Back Pain
- Tips of Using a Body Pillow
- …
Without further ado, let’s begin!
Do you sleep well? Or are you like millions of people with back pain painful enough to keep you awake all night? Do you wake up well rested? Or do you toss and turn and wake up feeling as if you hadn’t slept at all? If your sleep is defined by your back pain, you need a body pillow. There are people who act as if body pillows are only useful for pregnant women, which is ridiculous. Back pain affects everyone, no matter what gender they are. If anything, guys might need body pillows even more due to how often men perform physical labor as a profession. There’s nothing “unmanly” about making sure you can sleep well and wake up ready for another hard day’s work. Most men would be proud to say they could do so!
The Benefits of Body Pillows
If you’re unfamiliar with body pillows, the concept is simple enough. They’re large pillows, allowing you to have something soft between your arms and legs as you sleep. This helps to keep your skeletal system aligned properly through the night.
This is particularly useful if you’re a side-sleeper. Science has proven that sleeping on one’s’ side can result in the aggravation of injuries such as herniated discs, sciatica, and other issues from the spine being out of alignment.
A good body pillow can help avoid these medical problems.
5 Proven Benefits Of Body Pillows to Help Back Pain
1. Get a refreshing night’s sleep.
It’s been proven time and again that placing a body pillow between your legs helps keep your spine adjusted properly. It stops your hip bones from pulling on your spine, which results in a more comfortable sleeping position.
2. Full body support during sleep
You can be assured of proper body support with a full-length body pillow. It gives you something to wrap your body around, helping keep you supported through the night.
3. Muscle Relaxation
When your spine and hips are properly aligned, your muscles don’t have to work to keep your body intact. This keeps the tension off your muscles, allowing you a more restful night’s sleep.
4. The only proven solution for back pain associated with pregnancy
Since pregnant people can’t take pain medication and are generally forced to sleep on their side, a body pillow is the only thing that can help them relieve that pain.
5. Providing nursing support
Body pillows don’t stop being useful after you give birth! It can help you support your child and yourself during the nursing process, as well. Any pillow worth buying should be able to provide all the support you need.
Price
Body pillows can vary greatly in price. They do tend to be on the expensive side, costing upwards of $50 if you want one that will last for any length of time. The higher-quality pillows could cost as much a $100 or more. There are a few budget options that will run within the $20-$50 range, but be careful with these. A few of them are worth the money, but most of them will fall apart too quickly to provide any real aid. Make certain the body pillow you buy is well-reviewed so you get the best body pillow for you.
Comparison Table
We rounded up the best five body pillows for people who suffer back pain. We ranked them based on side-by-side comparisons of the products, paying close attention to the following things:
- Material Filling
- Your Investment
- Design
- Customer Reviews
Best Body Pillows for Bad Backs
- PharMeDoc Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
- Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, C Shaped
- Leachco Back ‘N Belly Contoured Body Pillow, Ivory
- Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, J Shaped
- Snuggle Pedic Shredded Bamboo Combination Memory Foam Body Pillow With Kool-Flow Cover
1. PharMeDoc Full Body Pregnancy Pillow – Best Budget Body Pillow
- Tired of using so many pillows to get comfortable every night? The...
- Use as a pregnancy pillow and then as a feeding or nursing pillow...
- Premium polyfill material strikes that perfect balance between comfort...
- As always, your health is our top priority. That's why our pillow...
- We want you to fall in love with falling asleep. That's why you're...
PharMeDoc pregnancy pillow is C-Shaped, providing a perfect way to support your legs, arms, and head as well. Since it supports the entire body, this can do quite a bit for neck pain as well as back pain. It’s a 60-inch long pillow, 24 inches in width and about 7 inches in diameter. Like most body pillows, this body pillow designed by PharMeDoc claims to be able to help pregnant women sleep soundly. Its C-shape makes it a great pillow for sitting up and working at a desk. It’s also ideal for anyone dealing with chronic pain caused by injuries or surgeries.
It’s made of a hypoallergenic polyfills, which frees you from the worry of diseases or breathing difficulties.
- Affordable pricing
- Supports the stomach as the pregnancy progresses
- Hypoallergenic
- Great for breastfeeding as well, which means it supports throughout the pregnancy and infancy
- Huge, too large to carry easily
- Limited comfort due to firmness
2. Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, C Shaped – Editors’ Choice & Best Seller
- The first and true original Snoogle
- Snoogle takes the place of multiple pillows to help support hips,...
- Patented design was developed by a registered Nurse and mom
- Enjoy cuddle comfort and support without the extra body heat.
- Snoogle original has a sham-style removable cover that is machine...
This is one of the better budget options, allowing you to experiment with a body pillow without costing a fortune to do so. The fiber fill is hypoallergenic, which means you won’t have to worry about allergies causing you a restless night’s sleep. The cover is also hypoallergenic, allowing it to resist allergens even further.
It’s a soft pillow, but not so soft it doesn’t offer the support you need for your entire body. It’s large, which lets it support the head and neck as well. Its large size also allows for other uses, such as sitting around watching television or working at your desk. It’s machine washable as well, so you won’t have to worry about stains.
- Comfortably soft
- Large enough for the average adult male
- Affordable price
- C-shaped for greater versatility
- Soft pilow cover
- Machine washable
- Keeps shape even after several washes
- Does not retain heat
- Durable enough to last through pregnancy and can be used during breastfeeding
- Pillow cover difficult to change
- Large size makes storage and travel difficult
- Softness doesn’t provide as much neck support as other pillows
3. Leachco Back ‘N Belly Contoured Body Pillow, Ivory – Editors’ Choice & Professional’s Choice
- The first and true original Back 'N Belly
- Can help provide equal support for back and belly at the same time
- No repositioning pillows during the night, simply turn from side to...
- Can help provide support for neutral positioning
- Sham-style cover is removable and washable. Hourglass inner curve
This pillow is made from polyester. It may not sound as impressive as “polyfill”, but it’s soft and cuddly none the less. The pillow case included with the pillow is machine washable. It’s an especially good pillow for the lower back, providing great support of the lower limbs. This helps remove pressure on the sciatic nerve, which in turn helps keep lower back pain away.
The pillow fiber is a 35% Cotton/65% Polyester mix. This is common in pillows, so it will provide a familiar feeling of comfort and support.
The inner curve is designed to naturally silhouette the curve of a pregnant woman’s womb. Thanks to this design feature, it works particularly well for belly and back support. It’s easy to wash.
- Full body support from head to toe
- Relieves joint stress particularly well
- Made of common pillow fibers for a familiar feeling of comfort
- Pillow cover is included and is removable and machine washable
- Does not force the body into a specific sleeping position, instead supporting your body’s natural sleeping position
- Large and bulky
- Might be uncomfortable for smaller users
- Seams may dig or cut into the neck area if user is too short
- Does not support head, shoulders, or neck as well as others
4. Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, J Shaped – Best J Shaped Body Pillow
- Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow Deluxe provides a variety of...
This pillow is amazing for those carrying a pregnancy. The Snoogle Original total body pillow supports the pregnant frame where it’s most needed. The interior is shape-forming, contouring to your body rather than expecting your body to fit its shape. Not just designed to support the frame during pregnancy, it also brings the body to a good breastfeeding position. It comes with a removable and machine washable cover. It’s stuffed with a 100% polyester fiberfill.
- Elegant design supports great without taking up space
- Removable pillow case simple to remove
- Shape helps support body in such a way as to help relieve heartburn and other discomforts during pregnancy
- Unusual shape may make it difficult to get used to
- Costly, so it might not fit within your budget
5. Snuggle Pedic Shredded Bamboo Combination Memory Foam Body Pillow With Kool-Flow Cover – Best I Shaped Body Pillow
- #1 RATED BODY PILLOW by ConsumerSearch and The New York Times...
- Proprietary Cloud-Coated Shredded Memory Foam and Spun Down...
- Kool-Flow Soft and Luxurious, Extra Breathable Micro-Vented Cover Made...
- GreenGuard Gold Certified Pillow That is Hypoallergenic, Dust Mite...
- 120-NIGHT LOVE IT OR SEND IT BACK POLICY WITH NO COST RETURNS and...
This memory foam body pillow from Snuggle-Pedic is so comfortable, it’s almost luxurious. It’s a straight shaped body pillow, allowing it to support stomach sleepers as well as side sleepers. It’s 54 inches long, so shorter users won’t be poked in the face all night. The memory foam, made of shredded bamboo, keeps the pillow from losing its shape over time. Memory foam is also hypoallergenic, and naturally resistant to dust mites. This means it’s a great pillow if you suffer from allergies. It’s not a budget model, however, and so may be prohibitively expensive for some people.
- Designed to support the head and keep the nasal passages clear
- Shredded bamboo memory foam retains shape over time
- Does not include a pillow case Size makes it difficult to wash, so users must buy separate pillow case
- Memory foam is a bit heavy, making it awkward for some people
- Expensive, though reasonably so
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Body Pillows for Back Pain
If you have back pain, you want it gone, fast. You spend half of your life in bed. How you sleep is significant in helping alleviate and preventing back pain. Knowing what types of body pillows are available to buy will help you choose wisely. Take into account the following characteristics before buying a body pillow.
Start out looking at who the body pillow is made for and whether they suit your needs. If you are pregnant, spend the extra time shopping for a body pillow designed for you. If you are looking for relief from snoring, check out the options that have you in mind instead. The idea is to pinpoint why you need or would like a body pillow to help pick out the right pillow.
Designs
There are several different body pillow shapes and designs. And, yes, there are reasons to choose one over another design. Many full body pillows are like a pretzel rod, long, and straight. It provides good support for anyone who likes extra cushioning between their knees and thighs at night. It’s an excellent way to get some extra hip support. Depending on personal preference, you may want to rest your head next to or on the body pillow.
The U-shaped and J-shaped body pillows are best suited to support anyone with back or neck issues. They offer the best support to help alleviate back pain. They envelope the body, holding both the back and the stomach at the same time. They do tend to build up the heat as the night rolls on, so buyer beware! If you are a hot person, you may want to go with a material that will help keep you cool all night long.
#1 C-Shaped Body Pillows
Pros
There are additionally C-shaped body pillows as well. They curve inward toward the stomach, instead of toward the legs. They are great at providing support for the full spine. It’s a wonderful addition to the pregnant woman’s tools that provide comfort and much-needed support. The other advantage is for women who have given birth and are feeding their babies. The C-shaped pillow is great for giving support while nursing. For the rest of the population, the C-shape pillow is great, even if you are on the taller side. The C-shape is made for side-sleepers, though. For back or stomach sleepers look to other options instead.
Cons
The C-shaped pillow is both big and takes up some space when compared to the other body pillow styles. If you travel frequently, then you may want to find peace with having a different style for trips. They also run the disadvantage of being among the most costly of body pillow types.
#2 U-Shaped Body Pillows
Pros
For the ultimate in support, stick with the U-shaped body pillows. They are able to provide dual side support simultaneously. This serves a utilitarian purpose of providing support as if you are sleeping on your back. For one, if you are pregnant, then you may not be able to get support while sleeping. This pillow provides much-needed support whether pregnant or just in need of the most comprehensive support on the market. It even has head space.
Cons
It is among the most costly of the body pillows that are available. It is pretty hefty and bulky as well. It’s not great for frequent travelers. It’s inconvenient and too big even for many car trips.
#3 I-Shaped Body Pillows
Pros
The I-Shaped body pillow is next up on the list. This is among the simplest body pillows that are available. It has the added inherent benefit of allowing you to conform and adjust it to your body. They have the added benefit of being among the least expensive of all of the pillows on the market. Because of their simple design, and their ability to adjust to the user, it’s no surprise that the I-shaped body pillow is the most popular style.
That’s useful to know because popularity works in the user’s favor. For one, the I-shaped body pillow is the least expensive on the market, made in the widest selection of materials, and is the most readily available style.
Cons
Now, the main drawback of the I-shaped pillow is that it is not able to suit specific support needs. It falls slightly short in that area. It is meant to be made like an over sized pillow that you would use for your head. It’s not much more advanced than the pillow you rest your head on either.
So, people should be forewarned a bit about expecting too much of the I-shaped body pillow. It’s going to be insufficient for providing good support for a pregnant woman.
The Filling or Material
The material that makes up the different body pillows is among the biggest concerns for most people. After all, you will spend a good deal of your time in straight contact with the material. It will either provide support, comfort or fall short on both counts.
Depending on what you need most, look for materials that suit you accordingly. And, yes you may have to make the difficult decision of whether to choose greater support over comfort or vice versa. Now more about the materials that make up the body pillows. Many fibers will give you a light and airy feel with lighter materials. If support is your main focus, then go with foam pillows at the least.
You may find that you prefer more natural fibers, such as down or buckwheat. Buckwheat when in combination with cotton can be supportive. And, cotton itself is a comfortable and generally gentle and soft material. This is great unless you have trouble staying cool enough at night. Cotton can get warm and allow you to heat up as the sleeping hours pass.
Sizing and Measuring up Body Pillows
It turns out that you do not have to settle for the first body pillow that you see. Never assume that what you see at the big box store or the linens store represent all of the size variations that are available on the market for body pillows. As it turns out, pillows are fairly easily made in many different sizes.
In addition to looking for the size that you need, also take into account that you will have to think about size constraints. Maybe you want a nice new body pillow, but you have a full sized bed. You might need to think about your husband and how it will work with him in the bed with you. If you have a California king bed then size may not be as much of an issue. Just be sure that the pillow will not sneak off of your half of the bed onto their side. That’s just common courtesy. And, it is a great rule to follow to keep your bed mate happy too.
The Price
When you start shopping around for body pillows you will be surprised at the wide selection and the pricing. It’s all over the place. The sizes, materials, shape, and the prices are just incredibly diverse. So, when you are in the market for a new body pillow, the price range will be an important factor.
The price is so significant that anyone who is shopping around for a body pillow should come up with a range before they go to the store. If you do not have a big budget, it does not necessarily mean that you are going to be stuck with a poor quality dud. It just means you will have to pay attention to the cost when you are researching your options for high-quality affordable body pillows that will suit your needs.
That covered, it is still true that you will get what you pay for in most cases. This is especially true where the body pillow is concerned. If you do have more money to spend, go with tried and true, well-loved models that people review online. If people love something, they will let the world know. Check out reviews before you buy, whether you plan on spending a lot or a little bit of money.
Positions
If you are having trouble settling in for a restful night’s sleep, then it may be time to stop tossing and turning. How are you going to do that? Well, finding just the right body pillow may be just the answer you have been looking for for years. Go with U-shaped pillows for dual support on either side. They require no adjustment and allow you to settle in pretty quickly. The J-shaped pillow settles you into one stagnant position over night unless you do not mind shifting around a lot to re-position yourself as you sleep.
The straight body pillow is encouraging for anyone who wants to make their body pillow conform to them while allowing you to decide where to rest your head. Where straight body pillows are in play, an adjustment is easy, as long as the pillow is lighter. Look into side sleeping if you suffer from back pain. It may even relieve your pain.
Look at the U-shaped, J-shaped, and C-shaped pillows to relieve back pain by sleeping comfortably on your side. Even if you have never loved sleeping on your side, these pillows allow easier support of side sleeping. In these cases, it may make it doable for you.
For anyone who often tosses and turns, the straight body pillow may be just the answer to your support needs. The reason is that it is very easy to adjust yourself around it.
Tips
So when does a body pillow go beyond being a body pillow? The answer is when you are able to increase its value through using it for more things. For example, you can use a body pillow as a cushion in an outdoor lounge chair or other types of patio furniture. You can also use a body pillow as a backrest to watch television while you are on the floor. A body pillow can be leaned against a wall in order to provide some extra seating during a large party. A body pillow can also be used as a yoga bolster, to create support for the core part of your body.
Outdoor enthusiasts can take their body pillows with them on their camping trips. The pillows can either be kept inside your tent or they can be used for sitting on the way you would a log. Also, body pillows are great for tail gating events in warm weather or any outdoor concert. You should be fine using any pillow that has a machine-washable liner.
Body pillows are often used through pregnancy. They may also continue to provide a newborn with support during the baby’s first few months. By the end of the child’s first year, a body pillow can work as a padded armrest so that you can teach your growing infant how to stand up and walk.
If you have a pet, then you might need to determine whether or not it should have access to your body pillow on a daily basis. Cats might treat the pillow like a scratching post or your dog might completely claim the pillow as his. Either way, the fabric of the pillow might get compromised, or the liner might end up full of fur.
Conclusion
How you sleep has a significantly impacts your spinal health. The common body pillow is a lot more involved than you may have thought it was. When you use a body pillow, it allows you to maintain alignment in your knees, hips, back and neck more easily. When you use a high-quality body pillow to sleep with, it will enable you to enjoy more productive, happier days without having the burden of persistent back pain. If you invest in your spinal health it can pay off for many years into the future. Hopefully you have gotten some useful advice from this article.
Take Action
A good body pillow is definitely one of the better things you can purchase this year.
Editors’ Choice & Best Seller
- The first and true original Snoogle
- Snoogle takes the place of multiple pillows to help support hips,...
- Patented design was developed by a registered Nurse and mom
- Enjoy cuddle comfort and support without the extra body heat.
- Snoogle original has a sham-style removable cover that is machine...
Best Budget
- Tired of using so many pillows to get comfortable every night? The...
- Use as a pregnancy pillow and then as a feeding or nursing pillow...
- Premium polyfill material strikes that perfect balance between comfort...
- As always, your health is our top priority. That's why our pillow...
- We want you to fall in love with falling asleep. That's why you're...
Professional’s Choice
- The first and true original Back 'N Belly
- Can help provide equal support for back and belly at the same time
- No repositioning pillows during the night, simply turn from side to...
- Can help provide support for neutral positioning
- Sham-style cover is removable and washable. Hourglass inner curve
I’m Lucas. I used to be a back pain sufferer, but I’ve recovered. I created BestforBackPain.com to help others find relief without going to physical therapy or expensive medication.
Last update on 2021-01-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API