Orthopedic Pillow Vs Chiropractic Pillow – Is There a Difference?

What is a chiropractic pillow? Is it a therapeutic device similar to an orthopedic pillow? Is there a difference between these two terms, or maybe both of them are pointing to the same type of products?

I spent several hours researching different types of chiropractic pillows and, even if each manufacturer gives lots of details about the benefits of their product, nobody is actually explaining what is the difference between orthopedic and chiropractic pillows (and if there is a difference at all!).

For this reason, let’s start with the difference between an orthopedist and a chiropractor. An orthopedic doctor is a medical specialist (a follower of the traditional medical system) who diagnoses and treats the dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system by prescribing medicine or performing surgery whenever necessary. A chiropractor, on the other hand, uses manual therapy only, being an alternative health care professional who works on the spine to improve the alignment of the vertebrae.

However, when it comes to pillows, things are not as simple. My research has shown me that there are basically no major differences between orthopedic and chiropractic pillows. These two types of products are both considered therapeutic devices meant to improve the sleeping or resting position of an individual by keeping his spine/cervical area/hips/knees correctly aligned; these pillows have the ability to correct improper sleeping posture, to ease neck pain, back pain, headaches, snoring and fatigability.

Nowadays, people don’t pay enough attention to the importance of a correct spine alignment. The misalignment/deformation of the spine can often be a direct cause of headaches, neck and back stiffness, snoring, sleep apnea and low energy levels. Sometimes we look for complicated solutions to these problems, when the cause is as simple as your sleeping posture!

Generally, in order to be called ‘chiropractic’, a certain orthopedic pillow has to be recommended by a chiropractor. Usually, you can buy these pillows directly from your chiropractor’s office – it means that they have all been tested and approved by the specialist. You can also buy such pillows online – on specialized chiropractic websites and not only.

Let’s make a quick review of the main types of chiropractic pillows (as described by manufacturers and chiropractors). I will include in this list only the pillows that are labeled ‘chiropractic’ by their manufacturer/seller. For helping you have a better understanding of this topic, I will not include in this list those pillows that have only the label ‘orthopedic’.

First, let’s classify the chiropractic pillows by the material from which they are made:

1.       Memory foam chiropractic pillows are considered by most specialists as the best alternative when it comes to therapeutic supports. This material is heat sensitive, adjusting its shape to the individual curves of your body. Its firmness is also appropriate for offering you a stable, uncrushable support.

2.       Latex chiropractic pillows can have various levels of firmness. Some people say that these pillows last more than the traditional memory foam pillows.

3.       Water chiropractic pillows. The main benefit of these pillows is the fact that you can adjust their firmness according to your wishes or therapeutic needs by simply removing or adding water. Water pillows are usually used to relieve neck pain and shoulder discomfort, being a good remedy against insomnia. People who enjoy sleeping on cool surfaces may also like these pillows, because they do not retain the heat of the body like other materials do.

4.       Buckwheat filled pillows may be chiropractic or not; however, they can have a good therapeutic effect, especially when their shape matches the curvature of the human body (especially the cervical area). Buckwheat pillows, besides having an appropriate firmness for pain relief and general comfort, are made from a natural material – buckwheat grains – which has its own curative properties.

5.       Some feather pillows can be recommended as chiropractic, but their use is rather controversial. Yes, they seem extremely comfortable and they can easily adapt to the shape of your head/neck. However, they can lose their shape very fast, and at some point during  your sleep you can find yourself in an uncomfortable, painful position that will harm your spine and/or your neck joints.

Secondly, let’s make a classification according to the shape of the chiropractic pillows and the body part they are designed to support/treat:

1.       Cervical chiropractic pillows. These pillows provide a comfortable and healthy support for the head and neck, offering a correct spine alignment for both back sleepers and side sleepers. They alleviate neck pain, headaches and in some cases prevent loud snoring.

2.       Chiropractic pillows for side-sleepers. In this category we can include both cervical pillows and body pillows. The latter are usually C or 7 shaped, offering support not only for the head and neck, but also for the back and the legs.

3.       Back support (or lumbar support) chiropractic pillows. These therapeutic devices are especially created to offer comfort to those people who are forced to maintain a seated position for many hours. They support the natural curvature of the lumbar area, relieving back pain and allowing the person to feel more relaxed.

4.       Knee support chiropractic pillows. There are several types of knee pillows. The most common model is shaped like an hourglass (coming with or without a strap that can be fastened around one leg), being placed between the knees of a side-sleeper. It eases the pain and the pressure created when one knee is placed above the other, also preventing the inevitable discomfort in the hips and lower back. Other models of knee pillows are therapeutic wedges that can be placed under the knees when the person is lying on the back – this posture can accelerate the healing process after a surgery or a trauma, also reducing leg fatigue whenever necessary.

5.       Wedge chiropractic pillows. Besides the rehabilitation wedges for leg support mentioned above, there are also other two types of popular chiropractic wedges: for back sleeping (which can reduce acid reflux) and for resting (reading in bed, watching TV etc).

6.       Travel chiropractic pillows. Usually these pillows are shaped like a horseshoe, keeping your head from falling to the side even when you are forced to sleep in a horizontal position. You can also use a neck roll while traveling or a dog bone pillow (which I will describe below).

7.       Pregnancy chiropractic pillows. These pillows allow pregnant women to have a comfortable, painless and relaxing sleep. They usually come in the shape of a body pillow, cradling the entire body – from head to knees.

8.       ‘Dog bone’ chiropractic pillows. These pillows are shaped like a bone – this being the origin of their funny name. For many people, these are the pillows that come to their mind when they use the term ‘chiropractic pillow’. Which are the benefits of ‘dog bones’, then? Their main purpose is proper neck support. However, they can also be used to support the lumbar area during sitting or side-sleeping. Their compact size also makes them good travel pillows. They are relatively cheap and they usually come in different colors and designs.

Besides the main types of chiropractic pillows described above, you will certainly find many other models, especially if you browse the online market. In fact, you can find some outstanding products that do not only ease pain and discomfort, but also: reduce snoring and sleep apnea; have a cool, relaxing texture; are hypoallergenic; have special inserts for height adjustment; provide therapeutic neck traction etc.

Before buying a certain chiropractic or orthopedic pillow, make sure that you consult your doctor or chiropractor. The specialist’s advice is the first thing you have to keep in mind, but don’t forget about your personal preferences and about your comfort!