Neck Roll Pillows, Cervical Rolls & Foam Rollers for Neck Pain

Neck rolls are small cylindrical pillows that fit the curve of your neck and help relieve chronic neck pain while sleeping. Back sleepers are the ones that benefit most from a cervical roll and they usually pair it with a soft, flat pillow that supports their head.

Core cervical rolls are made of precision-cut foam that ensures the right balance between comfort and support, while Core Jackson rolls are fiber-filled, with firmer support at the ends. Other neck rolls and pillows on the market are made of low-resistance memory foam or have a soft polyester, down, or latex filling.

Traction cushions come in different shapes and sizes and can be used to support various body parts during lumbar or cervical traction. Trapezoid cushions support the lower limbs in a raised position to ensure a minimum load on the vertebrae, triangular cushions support the head, peak-shaped bolsters fit comfortably under the knees, and semi-cylindrical cushions support the cervical spine. Besides positioning, other traction cushions can be used as part of clinical traction devices, to protect the table and provide additional comfort during treatments. Cervical traction cushions like Core Apex Cervical Orthosis Premium are shaped so that they gently stretch the upper chest and anterior neck muscles, while comfortably supporting the upper thoracic spine. This can help relieve headaches and neck pain by firmly supporting the neck while placing it in mild traction, helping restore its natural curve and counteracting the detrimental forward head posture. You can also try a foam roller for the neck to relieve occasional pain, but it is best that you check with your doctor if your neck pain is chronic or severe.

If you are one of the roughly 60% of adults that sleep on their side, know that this sleeping position is one of the healthiest as it can improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain. However, you need the proper pillow to achieve this much-desired alignment. To make sure you keep your head, neck, and shoulders in a neutral position throughout the night, the pillow should be medium-firm and about 4 inches off the mattress. People with broader shoulders might need a higher loft, whereas petite ones would rest more comfortably with a lower one. Getting the right pillow firmness and height is not all there is — shape also matters, and side sleepers benefit mostly from pillows that have a semi-circular cutout to make room for the shoulder or a gusset that expands the pillow and gives it more structure.

Back sleepers can either complement mid-loft pillows with a slightly larger cervical roll or they can opt for a contoured orthopedic pillow that helps with any tension in the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Some pillows have a built-in cervical roll and a trapezoid or D-shaped cutout in the middle to better cradle the head. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, you will need a soft pillow and a firm mattress, but it is best to avoid this sleeping position as it is the most harmful to the neck muscles and joints. Alternatively, you can try the M.A.T. Portable massage cushion with an attached face cradle for resting on your stomach or back for a few hours. While intended for at-home massages, this 3-piece system (face rest, pelvic tilt body cushion, and foot bolster), will provide much-needed comfort and relaxation by completely maintaining muscular-skeletal alignment.

The best knee support is a peak-shaped positioning bolster, but you can also tuck a neck roll pillow under your knees to relieve lower back pain or help recover from an injury when sleeping on your back. If you sleep on your side, you can put a NeckBone® pillow between your knees. It also helps to have an inflatable lumbar roll-around, to make sure you sleep comfortably when traveling.