Introduction
If you have ever had your leg or back, in pain from surgery, injury or related conditions, you appreciate the need to have your legs elevated when you lie down.
Traditionally you would just grab an item and place it under your leg for support. However, such items can easily cause more injuries if they are made of wrong materials or the elevation is too high.
Sleep professionals will tell you the crucial role played by a knee pillow in your general health and well-being. Sleep offers your body the much-required time to relax and recover from any physical, mental, and posture-related stresses caused by pressure from work and multiple body movements.
The market is full of knee pillows of diverse shapes, sizes, and brands. Therefore, choosing the best knee pillow is imperative if you want to reap the benefits of sleeping in the right posture.
However, what should you look for when purchasing the best knee pillow in 2020? Before that, let’s begin by reviewing the five best knee pillows for side sleepers. Let’s jump right in!
In a hurry? We’ve got you covered. Check out ComfiLife Orthopedic: Our editor's choice product in this category with ergonomic contour shape for better fit between your knees.
Image | Name | Filling | Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
ComfiLife Orthopedic (Editor's Choice) | Memory Foam | 4.9/5 | ||
Memory Foam | 4.7/5 | |||
Memory Foam | 4.5/5 | |||
Memory Foam | 4.5/5 | |||
Memory Foam | 4.4/5 |
Why spine alignment is important?
One of the most vital things about body posture is the alignment. Body alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate and line up with each other (Source). More often than not, aches, and pains in the shoulder, back, neck, knees, or hips occurs due to poor body alignment. Proper spine alignment therefore leads to less stress on the spine and helps you have a good posture.
Irrespective of which body part is hurting, keeping proper alignment is important. For example, when lying on your side, use a pillow between your knees and one under your head to keep your spine aligned. When lying on your back, use a pillow under your knees and one under your head.
Try to avoid using extra cushions under your head and upper back, this will put you into a rounded upper back position. Not only this, but you may also have to modify your sleeping posture to make it more appropriate for you.
Want to check other options, we compiled a list of top pillows for for side sleepers. Check them here.
Who needs a knee pillow?
First check out this video
Tips for Buying a Knee Pillow
Knee pillows are a great addition to your sleeping accessories. However, in reality not all pillows in the market will give you the benefits you desire. To begin, we give you some pointers to guide you the next time you go shopping for a pillow.
Material: The material used will determine the benefits you will reap from it. When it comes to comfort and softness, memory foam pillows are the best. However, your condition or sleeping style may require a firmer cushion making memory foam pillow unideal for you.
The material of the pillows will also determine its durability. Therefore as you purchase one, make sure you understand the material used to make it and the characteristics of the material such as durability and the support it offers.
The cover material also matters. Look for soft covers that will not irritate your skin while you sleep.
Size and dimensions: For leg elevation pillows, the height and angle of elevation will determine how comfortable you will be while sleeping. Many specialists recommend that the pillow should raise your legs to a level higher than your heart’s level. If it’s too high, however, you will be uncomfortable and end up straining the lower back and hips.
Also look at the width to ascertain both of your legs can rest on the surface comfortably.
Knee cushions also need to be the right size. Too wide and the pillow will stare your pelvis; too thin will not separate the legs adequately to realign the spine.
The size and weight of the user: This goes hand in hand with the size of the pillow. Those made of soft materials such as memory form tend to dent based on the weight of the user. A pillow for a heavier person will therefore need to be firmer or of a higher density than that of a lighter person.
The size of the user will also determine the size of pillow that you buy. A leg cushion with a high elevation will be uncomfortable for shorter people while those with a sharp angle of elevation may be uncomfortable for people with longer legs.
People with slim pelvis may also require thinner pillows compared to those with wider pelvis.
Look at the price: When buying a pillow stick to your budget strictly. However, make sure that you get the best quality for that amount. Often, high-quality products are expensive, but that’s not always the case. There are also many low-quality items that will not support your knees even when they are new. Keep away from such pillows because they may end up worsening your pain or condition.
If you are looking for a durable item that will serve you for a long time, adequate slot money for it in your budget.
Ensure it has the right density: The average density of quality product in this category is between 3-4 pounds and above. If the density is lower than that it may be too soft and not support your weight adequately and may lead to more discomfort. Therefore make sure you check the density of your pillow before buying and keep in mind pillows made of the same material can have different densities.
Best Knee Pillows for Side Sleepers
#1. ComfiLife Orthopedic
Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5
The ComfiLife orthopedic pillow’s ergonomic contour shape allows it to fit between your knees effortlessly. It separates your legs just enough to offer support to your back.
You will notice the effect of reduced pressure on your back immediately you start using this orthopedic pillow as the back pain starts to decline every night.
ComfiLife orthopedic also does not get warm and sweaty from the heat between your knees. The use of breathable zippered covers ensures there is circulation of air keeping it cool.
This is the best choice of pillow to provide maximum support and comfort at night that helps relieve sciatica pain and pressure on the lower back
Pros
- It won’t get flat even after using it for a while.
- It ensures that your hip, spine, and legs are well aligned, thanks to the ergonomic design.
- The knee pillow’s cover is detachable and can, therefore, be machine-washed.
- It’s fluffy, making it cozy.
Cons
- The zip fastener is somewhat small, making it hard to detach the cover.
#2. Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief Knee Cushion
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Designed for side-sleepers, the sciatic nerve pain relief pillow aims to raise the upper knee slightly. The slight elevation has a significant effect as it relieves your backbone of pressure and strain that many side sleepers suffer. As a result, you will realize reduced back, and leg pains as you continuously use this pillow.
This product from Cush Comfort is wedge-shaped and long enough to support the entire length of your leg including the thigh and calf.
Its extra-thick and super soft cotton material provides relief to your strained joints while making your sleep even more comfortable.
The pillow also has long-term benefits as it realigns your spine and leg bones helping you attain the right posture and pelvic tilt. This makes it ideal for people with back and leg injuries, but other side-sleepers may also use it to improve the quality of their sleep.
Pros
- The knee pillow is inexpensive.
- It’s the best knee pillow for sciatic relief.
- It helps ease nearly all kinds of body pain.
- It’s also ideal for expectant mothers and those recovering from surgery.
Cons
- It’s short and rigid.
#3. Everlasting Comfort 100% Pure Memory Foam
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5
You may toss and turn in your sleep without worrying that your Everlasting Comfort’s memory foam pillow will fall off position. This is because it comes with a strap to attach it to one of your legs. It also comes in an orthopedic contour shape that allows the legs to fit in position effortless.
The design makes it ideal for people with pain in their knees, hips, lower back, or the pelvis. Expectant mothers may also use it to position the knees appropriately to relieve the back pain brought about by pregnancy.
This pillow is equipped with a removable and adjustable hook-and-loop strap that keeps it in perfect alignment between your legs. No more hassles with readjusting the pillow in bed, giving you an undisturbed night’s rest!
Pros
- It has a detachable strap.
- The knee pillow is hypoallergenic and, therefore, ideal for allergic people.
- The contoured design gives you maximum comfort.
- It’s made of long-lasting memory foam.
Cons
- It feels rigid when you use it soon after the purchase.
#4. Leg Knee For Better Alignment
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5
This is another high-quality knee pillow made of memory foam. The memory form and contour shape hold your knees in position while supporting your joints. The support it gives to joints, legs, and knees reduces pressure from these area making the healing process much faster.
This pillow also keeps your knees and hips in the appropriate position for your spine, pelvic bone and leg bones to realign themselves as you recover.
This pillow comes in a velvet cover to provide a soft surface for your knees to interact with without any irritating your skin. You can remove the cover and wash it at your discretion.
Pros
- It helps relieve lower back and joint pain.
- The knee pillows contours to your legs and spine, giving you a comfortable sleep.
- The knee pillow retains its shape even after using it for a while.
- It’s ideal for people recuperating from surgery.
Cons
- It’s somewhat costly.
#5. Knee Wedge - Ideal Choice for Hip Pain
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This is another high-quality pillow made of memory foam. The memory form and contour shape hold your knees in position while supporting your joints. The support it gives to joints, legs, and knees reduces pressure from these area making the healing process much faster.
This pillow also keeps your knees and hips in the appropriate position for your spine, pelvic bone and leg bones to realign themselves as you recover.
This pillow comes in a velvet cover to provide a soft surface for your knees to interact with without any irritating your skin. You can remove the cover and wash it at your discretion.
Pros
- The knee pillow’s contoured design ensures maximum comfort.
- It helps eradicate hip, sciatica, knee, and arthritis pain.
- It comes with a washable cover.
- The knee pillow lasts long.
Cons
- With time, the knee pillow tends to shrink.
FAQs on Best Knee Pillows for Side Sleepers
1. What does a knee pillow do?
A knee pillow ensures that your legs are apart, lessening pressure and enhancing blood circulation. They also help keep your spine and hips aligned, minimizing, or even eradicating any morning pain that you may be feeling.
2. Why should you use a knee pillow?
Research shows that putting a pillow between your knees offers a cozier feeling when sleeping, particularly for side sleepers. Expectant mothers or people with back pain will also find it useful to put a pillow between their knees while sleeping.
To get a good night’s sleep, you need to sleep for 7 to 8 hours each night. If you sleep on your side for all those hours with insufficient support in your spine, you may begin experiencing severe back pain or soreness.
3. How long should you wait until you start to feel the benefits of a knee pillow?
The benefit is quite instant provided you take some time to get used to sleeping on the knee pillow because they’re designed to snugly fit between your thighs. They help align your hip and relieve tension on your spine and tension on your lower back.
4. Who are knee pillows meant for?
Knee pillows not only reduce backpressure and relieve tension in the hamstrings but also offer extra cushioning between the knees to stop the knees from rubbing against each other.
They’re useful for side sleepers as they can feel uncomfortable with one leg on top of the other. Because of this, this pillow is the ideal choice as it creates a solid, cushioning hurdle that keeps legs apart.
Apart from side sleepers, there’s a knee pillow for pregnant women also. Knee pillows are also ideal for people with back or knee pain, and those suffering from restless legs syndrome.
Conclusion
To many people, struggling to get a good night’s sleep is a major issue. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. To enhance blood circulation, relieve back pain, and other potential sleep disorders, invest in a knee pillow and forget knee pain when sleeping.
It also enables your legs to relax, and after everything they do for you, they merit a break! Carry out your study and prepare for a cozier sleep. Don’t forget that the best knee pillow will provide excellent support, enhance blood flow, and provide great spine alignment to those who need it.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1119282/
- https://www.nof.org/patients/fracturesfall-prevention/exercisesafe-movement/proper-body-alignment/
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/knee-pain
- Good Sleeping Posture Helps Your Back