The treatment of cervical spine disorders has incorporated cervical pillows for many years. As early as 1956, Ruth Jackson, MD, stated, "The cervical contour pillow has been one of the greatest adjuncts in the treatment of cervical spine disorders."¹ Since that time, multiple companies have produced many different types, shapes, and densities of cervical pillows. Today, chiropractic providers may choose from the following:

Jackson's Roll

This pillow is 18 inches long and 8 inches in diameter. It should be stuffed with feathers and down, or with Dacron, as are the current ones. It is smaller in the center than at its ends so that the neck rests on the proper amount of support for comfort. This leaves a bulge on either side, which prevents too much rotation and lateral bending. Several distributors produce this type of pillow. Arc 4 Life carries a high-quality, cost-effective product.

Contour Pillow

A contour pillow is an orthopedic pillow made from high-quality foam that supports and aligns the head and neck in proper posture during the night. It is designed to cradle and support the natural contours of the neck, shoulders, and back. Products such as the Ultima 2000 by Anabolic Labs and Pillo-Pedic by Foot Levelers are produced in different sizes to fit the patient.

Products such as Pillo-Pedic align the head and neck in proper posture during the night.

Memory Foam Contour Pillow

The memory foam pillow uses soft memory foam to mold to the patient's shape for ultimate body comfort. As the memory foam reacts to the body's temperature, the pillow's crescent cutout design cradles the neck and shoulders, giving personalized support. Tempur-Pedic was one of the first to produce a pillow with memory foam. Today, companies such as Spinal Care Products produce good products that are more cost-effective for the patient.

Air-Adjustable Pillow

These are patented, shape-matching air cells with single- or dual-valve controls. This technology allows the patient to adjust the amount of neck support needed based on the type of disorder or body size. Sleepmatterzzz is one of the first to manufacture and distribute an air-adjustable product that is very promising.

Water Support Pillow

A water support pillow is a patented pillow with a layer of polyester fiber that floats over the top of a water pouch secured to the base of the pillow. This allows comfort and responsive support for the neck and head. The Pillow Co produced the Mediflow pillow, which adjusts to fit the shape of the patient's neck. The Chiroflow waterbase pillow (the chiropractic version of Mediflow) has several clinically proven research projects to back up its claims.

The Sleepmatterzzz® Ultra Memory Foam Cervical Pillow is engineered with patented ROHO Shape Fitting Technology® for customizable cervical support and it reduces pressure points.

Headache Ice Pillow

This neck pillow support is ideal for targeting migraine and tension headaches. This pillow lets you use medically recommended ice for those acute painful conditions. The Arc 4 Life Co distributes the Headache Ice Pillow with Gel Pack, which allows you to use ice for acute painful conditions.

One size doesn't fit all. Therefore, the type of cervical pillow will be based on the patient's needs. These professionally designed and tested products produce maximum support and comfort. Most offices will offer various types of pillows to meet the needs of their patients. Clinical evidence indicates that chiropractic providers use cervical pillows for multiple conditions such as:

• neck pain;
• headaches;
• cervical/brachial syndromes;
• cervical spine disk syndromes;
• cervical spine osteoarthritis;
• whiplash injuries; and
• insomnia.

Various studies have been performed on pillows to prove their value as chiropractic aids. A study on adults with chronic neck pain conducted at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that water-based neck-support pillows assisted in reducing early-morning pain intensity, increased pain relief, and improved quality of sleep.² Another study found that water-based cervical pillows in conjunction with chiropractic care resulted in reduction of neck pain and disability, and improved quality of sleep. Based on a survey of students, faculty, and staff at Logan College of Chiropractic, more than 84% rated water-based pillows 8 or better on a 10-point scale of satisfaction.³ Another study from Germany investigated the long-term effect of clinical rehabilitation measures as well as additional effects of a prescription for a special pillow in 149 patients suffering from chronic cervical brachial syndromes. Before and during treatment, no difference between the two groups could be detected. However, follow-up showed significantly lower scores of pain intensity and sleep disorders in patients who had received a special pillow. It is concluded that rehabilitative treatment is effective in patients suffering from chronic cervical brachial syndromes and that complaints in the post treatment can be reduced by prescription of special pillows.⁴

Another study performed at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College to determine the effects of semi-customized experimental cervical pillows on symptomatic chronic neck pain revealed that compared to conventional pillows, experimental customized cervical pillows were effective in reducing lower-level neck pain intensity, especially in the morning time.⁵

Yet another study was undertaken to evaluate one aspect of reducing physical discomfort of cervical pain prior to commencing active chiropractic adjustments. A sample of subjects experiencing chronic benign cervical pain was evaluated over a 10-day period, with a control group using a commercial Walgreens brand travel pillow and the other group using a Purity Health Pillow. Results revealed that the Purity Health Pillow group experienced statistical improvement in pain reduction compared to the control group.⁶

For a list of companies that sell pillows, go to our online Buyer’s Guide section on Pillows.

Authors such as Foreman & Croft recommend cervical pillows for virtually all grades and all stages of whiplash injuries. "They are relatively inexpensive and provide important support of the normal cervical spine configuration during sleep. Cervical spine support during sleep is critical, and although medium-firmness down pillows usually provide adequate support, they often lose their support with time."⁷ Nordhoff states, "Biomechanically the pillow or roll offers lordotic support to an inflamed, antalgic cervical spine that is reacting to the trauma by developing a straightened posture. There are biomechanical and pain-relieving benefits for patients using cervical pillows following a neck injury. This adjunctive support may relieve pain in many patients if properly used."⁸

Evidence-based research is confirming clinical data that the use of cervical pillows can aid in the treatment of cervical spine disorders.

John Lockenour, DC, DABCO, is an assistant professor at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He practiced for 28 years and sold pillows in his practice. Contact him at .

References

1. Jackson R. The Cervical Syndrome. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas Pub Ltd; 1978:310–311.
2. Lavin RA, Pappagallo M, Kuhlemeier KV. Cervical Pain: a comparison of three pillows. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997;78:193–198.
3. Chronic Neck Pain Findings. Paper presented at: the International Conference of Spinal Manipulation. October 1996; Bournemouth, England.
4. Gutenbrunner C. Prospective study of the long-term effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation of patients with chronic cervicobrachial syndromes and the effect of prescribing special functional pillows. Rehabilitation (Stuttg). 1999; 38(3):170–176.
5. Erfanian P, Tenzif S, Guerriero RC. Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on symptomatic adults with chronic neck pain with and without headache. J Can Chiropractic Assoc: March 2004; 48:20–28.
6. Burns G. The effect of the Purity Health Pillow™ on subjects experiencing chronic benign cervical pain: A pilot study. JVSR. 3(2):1–4.
7. Foreman SM, Croft AC. Whiplash Injuries: In: The Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2001:527.
8. Nordhoff LS. Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Management. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett; 1996:162–163.