10 Best Personal Trainer-Approved Pillows For Hip Pain (2024)

The best pillow for hip pain ensures that your spine and neck are aligned comfortably. These are designed orthopedically to ensure that your neck is neither too elevated nor too low compared to the rest of your body. While spinal alignment will most certainly not happen in a week, you may start noticing the difference in a few months. People with hip pain try various remedies like weighted blankets, stretches, exercises, costly mattresses, and whatnot! But, most often, they do not bear any fruit.

Not being able to sleep well at night or waking up with a stiff neck and back ruins your whole day, not to mention the pain you have to go through. Going back to the basics and beginning with your pillow can be a good idea if you have tried all other methods but didn’t reap any benefits. Hannah Shine, a personal trainer, suggests, “Don’t underestimate the impact of a good pillow on your sleep and overall health. Starting with a comfortable and supportive pillow can make a huge difference in reducing neck and back pain and improving the quality of your sleep.” Sometimes, an ergonomically designed pillow that keeps your knees in a neutral position might solve all your problems. Here are 10 pillows that also provide much more than just alignment to your body. In this article, we have listed the best pillow for hip pain that will alleviate a bunch of your problems and let you sleep peacefully at night. Keep scrolling!

10 Best Pillows For Hip Pain That You Must Try For Instant Relief

1. Best Ergonomic Design:ComfiLife Orthopedic Memory Foam Knee Pillow

4.1

Image: Comfilife

Now 27% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.95

This contoured pillow is constructed with 100% premium-quality memory foam to correct spine and body alignment and bring relief to your body’s pressure points. It keeps your knees propped up in a neutral position without feeling too bulky or uncomfortable. Recommended by chiropractors for those who suffer from sciatica, lower backache, or nighttime hip pain, you can use this in several positions even as a precautionary measure to prevent stiffness in the morning. Whether you’re a sweaty sleeper or get too cold at night, the memory foam helps with the temperature regulation of your body to keep you warm in the winter and cool through the summer. It’s sturdy, durable, and once placed between your knees, it’ll stay there much longer than a standard pillow. It is recommended by healthcare specialists like physical therapists. Watch this YouTuber’s honest review to gain a better understanding of the product.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

With 9,032 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.

2. Best For Pressure Relief:Contour Legacy Support Pillow

4.2

Image: Contour

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.99

Stop the pressure in your joints from building up before it even starts with this orthopedic pillow. This memory foam body pillow rests snugly and securely between your knees and comes with a crescent-shaped pelvic clearance that accommodates female and male bodies equally well. Not only does the ergonomic design mold itself to the natural shape of your legs to improve posture, but the premium foam body facilitates airflow to cool you down as you sleep. Being 20% longer than standard leg pillows, it gives you the space and flexibility to move around without restricting your preferred sleeping positions. At the same time, its smooth, rounded edges keep the pillow from tangling up in the sheets. Super-breathable, well-ventilated, and beneficial for pain relief — no wonder this one keeps getting sold out. If you are still unsure, check out this YouTube video featuring the tester’s experience of using the product.

3. Best Hypoallergenic:Ebung Leg Elevation Pillow

4.3

Now 36% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.99

A solid choice for anyone recovering from hip replacement surgery or for those whose legs tend to swell up, this pillow works by elevating your lower body as you sleep. Most physical therapists widely use the method to advance blood circulation and take the pressure off your legs, knees, and hips so that it’s more evenly distributed along your body. As the topmost memory foam layer contours your leg shape, the high-density polyurethane filling holds uptight and sturdy, preventing it from collapsing even after years of constant use. Whether you need relief from edema or simply a versatile pillow that doubles as a comfortable armrest, this is an ideal option for you. According to reviewers, the pillow takes pressure off the spine and helps reduce the pain.

4. Best For Pregnancy:ComfiCasa Memory Foam Knee Support Pillow

Whether you like sleeping in the fetal position or sprawled on your back, this supportive pillow is incredibly flexible in its ability to serve every kind of sleeper. Depending on where the pain lives, you can rest it under the head, between your knees, or under your feet for an optimal, pain-free, and undisturbed slumber. The thick and soft memory foam adapts to your body’s curves to stay in place through the night, and at the same time, the hourglass structure contours in all the right areas to relieve you of hip, knee, or back pain as well as sciatica. If you’re worried about weird, unpleasant chemical odors, don’t stress. The pillow is encased in a quilted bamboo fabric that cancels out the smell of foam while providing a soft, clean, breathable surface that doesn’t irritate the skin. According to reviews, the pillow is firm with no odor and also helps alleviate pain.

5. Best For Sweat Minimization:Dr. Comfy Knee Pillow

What do side sleepers, back sleepers, pregnant women, and those with knee pain have in common? The fact that this orthopedic pillow is especially designed keeping each one of them in mind. Constructed with pure memory foam with zero additives, it provides maximum comfort and support to your legs without flattening for a long time. The hollowed-out design increases mobility while keeping sweat to a minimum, and the air layer fabric is super-soft and breathable, making it ideal for sensitive, allergy-prone skin types. It has an adjustable strap built-in to keep it adequately attached and aligned with your knees, so you won’t find it tossed onto the floor every morning.

6. Best Memory Foam Construction:Aeris Memory Foam Knee Pillow

3.8

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.9

This memory foam knee pillow will help you sleep a ton better by squaring your hips in a neutral position, rectifying your alignment, and reducing hip and joint pressure. It helps with the back and shoulder pain caused by correcting the sleep posture. Crafted with 100% high-quality memory foam, it wedges perfectly between the knees and stays in place with an adjustable strap. Ideal for pregnancy and pre-post surgery healing, the cover is made out of a breathable bamboo fabric that doesn’t invite skin flare-ups and feels ultra-soft against your knees. Its contoured design works like a charm for side sleepers by keeping your legs, hips, and spine aligned without the foam compressing overnight.

Quick Tip

Put this pillow in the washing machine and wash it in the cold cycle once a month for easy maintenance.

7. Best Breathable Material:Comforever Wedge Contour Memory Foam Pillow

This is the semi-roll, M-shaped, high-density leg pillow for hip pain that you didn’t know you needed but do. It has 2 wedges that make it versatile for every kind of sleeper. Those comfortable on the side can tuck it between the knees, while back sleepers can rest their knees on top for slumber that’s made restful and undisturbed by the improved blood circulation and strategic muscle support to your body’s pressure points. Infused with Cloud Air Technology to dissipate heat away from you, this premium-quality memory foam pillow will keep you cool, cozy, and comfortable as you sleep through the night. You can even put the pillow under your neck without worrying about the smell, because the visco-elastic filling contains no harmful chemicals and emits no odors that might scrunch up your nose. According to user experience, the product is great for back sleepers with moderate back pain as it help alleviate the pain for a well-rested body.

Pro Tip

Sleep with this pillow at a room temperature of 18℃ for optimum compressive performance.

8. Best Machine-Washable Material:Anzhixiu Shredded Memory Foam Leg Pillow

3.6

BUY ON AMAZON

Say goodbye to that teeth-clenching feeling of bone hitting bone with this incredibly soft memory foam pillow that we love for so many reasons. First of all, its multi-functional abilities render it an ideal accessory for those who suffer from chronic pain in the legs, shoulders, or hips. Secondly, it comes with longer, thinner, and softer straps instead of short ones, thus keeping the pillow attached to the knee without causing any discomfort whatsoever. In addition to the unique, modern tethering system, the pillow contains 500 grams of shredded memory foam, whose specialty is getting sculpted to your body’s shape much more uniformly than regular foam. Place this cooling pillow between your knees, under your neck, or even attached to your car seat for immense comfort and pain-free sleep.

Quick Tip

Put this pillow in the dryer immediately after unboxing it for three minutes to fluff up the inner foam to instantly relieve back pain.

9. Best Lumbar Support:Yuzhe Ingot Waist Lumbar Support Pillow

4.1

Now 10% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.85

If you’re a regular driver, you’ll know better than anyone the pain of sitting in an uncomfortable, no-lumbar-support seat for prolonged periods. This pillow is designed not only to make sleeping easier but also to drive! Crafted with slow-return memory cotton, it boasts a C-shaped waist that embraces your body at the exact point where the waist meets the vertebrae. This helps relieve pressure and straighten your spine, particularly in the sitting position. It easily fits all kinds of car seats, and the 4D mesh fabric lets your skin breathe instead of getting overheated. The versatile surface structure is equally ideal for under-leg use to stimulate blood circulation. You can rest easy knowing it won’t flatten over time, thanks to an inner core that absorbs pressure uniformly. According to a reviewer’s experience, the pillow is great for lower back support.

10. Best Eco-Friendly:Back Support Systems Original Knee-T Leg Pillow

3.5

Image: Back Support Systems

BUY ON AMAZON | $129.95

If you are a side sleeper with hip pain seeking a thinner knee pillow to relieve sciatica or varicose veins, then this one’s for you. The blend of high-density memory and polyfoam brings you streamlined comfort to relieve a stiff back that’s less bulky than other pillows. It comes with adjustable straps that feel like petals and keep the pillow exactly where you want it to be. Enclosed in a Sherpa material that emulates the smoothness of sheepskin, it feels gentle on the skin and keeps you cool. However, the most irresistible thing about it is that it comes in three sizes to cater to different heights and weights: standard, long, and pro. If you’re looking for something to make an instant difference to your sleep quality, this leg posture pillow comes highly recommended by physicians and us alike!

Several pain-related issues like sciatica, edema, and restless leg syndrome can be relieved by replacing your pillow with an orthopedic one. But before you decide what to buy, it’s important to understand the cause of your hip pain, so you can choose a pillow designed for your needs.

What Causes Hip Pain While Sleeping?

• Sleeping position

If you like to sleep on your stomach, or on the sides curved into a tiny ball, that could be a major contributing factor to your hip and back pain. These are generally considered unhealthy for your body in the short and long run, but if you only feel comfortable sleeping this way, supporting the front with a slim pillow under your hips can do wonders for improving the proper alignment of your spine. For side sleepers, keeping a firm, supportive pillow between your knees will help you raise your upper leg and restore your body’s natural balance. For better posture and long-term pain reduction, consider lying down on your back with adequate knee support or in a fetal position with a cushion between your knees.

• Mattress type

This one goes hand-in-hand with your sleeping position. If you’re a side or weightback sleeper, then a medium-firm memory foam mattress for hip pain will help you keep your spine straight. However, if you’re a stomach sleeper, a pillowtop or innerspring mattress might give you the right support. When mattresses are too thin or overly plush, they may fail to provide support and keep your spine in a neutral position, resulting in back and hip pain over time.

• Pregnancy

Naturally, carrying the weight of a child can create extra pressure on your hips, spine, and joints, especially if you’ve reached the third trimester. Finding a comfortable position to sleep can be a difficult task, which is why supportive pillows designed specifically for pregnant women can help relieve some of the pressure by providing additional support that normal pillows don’t offer.

Choosing The Right Pillow For Hip Pain While Sleeping

• The pillow shape

Different shapes fulfill different purposes and cater to various kinds of sleepers. For example, hourglass is one of the most common choices for side sleepers who want to prop their upper leg to align with the spine. Wedge pillows, on the other hand, are triangular or crescent-shaped and work well when placed under the knees. However, they are also quite versatile, which means side sleepers can opt for thinner options to place them between their knees. Finally, body pillows are the widest of them all. As the name suggests, they run about as long as the human body and can be tucked under the head and between the legs at the same time. They also offer the added advantage of making you feel super-cozy, like you’re (literally) hugging someone.

• The pillow material

A majority of hip pain relief pillows use memory foam in their construction. This allows the pillow to take the shape of your body without flattening over time. However, foam is known for absorbing more body heat than, say, cotton, which could be an issue for hot sleepers who already wake up drenched in sweat. To combat this, many brands have started using cooler fabrics and ventilation technologies that increase breathability, so look out for these features as you shop.

• Your body weight

Those who are on the heavier side tend to opt for thicker pillows to prevent compression. For those who are petite, even a thinner, medium-firm pillow can provide adequate support and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a body pillow to relieve my hip pain?

While there are few peer-reviewed studies on the subject, anecdotal evidence does suggest that a body pillow for side sleepers can relieve pressure in certain pain points like the neck, back, shoulders, and hips. A C-shaped body pillow promotes blood circulation and improves spinal alignment.

Can knee pillows cause hip pain?

Actually, knee pillows are engineered to alleviate hip pain along with other types of bodyache. However, if you choose a pillow that’s too thick or thin, then it can keep your legs too far apart and cause or worsen pain in the hips. Always check the thickness level before you add a knee pillow to the cart.

Can a pregnancy pillow help with hip pain?

Yes, it can. Hip pain during pregnancy is quite natural, especially as you enter the third trimester. However, if you feel the pain getting out of hand, a special pregnancy pillow can provide total support to your body by aligning your legs better with your spine.

Can the wrong pillow cause hip pain?

Yes, pillows that are too thin or lumpy can both cause and worsen hip as well as back pain. You might experience this in the form of a stiffness in the neck when you wake up, which gradually turns more and more persistent unless resolved. Before you choose a pillow, think about things like your preferred sleeping position, durability of materials, the pillow’s height, and its overall firmness. To give you an example, cheap polyester fibers tend to be of a lower quality and flatten after a few months of use, and thus should be avoided.

How does keeping a pillow between the knees relieve hip pain?

Placing a sturdy, durable pillow between your knees can relieve hip pain in a number of ways. It props your upper leg to align with the rest of the body, which straightens the spine and alleviates the pressure forming in your lumbar area. Sleeping in this position every night will eventually correct the body’s posture and keep you pain-free.

Does a wedge pillow help with hip pain?

Yes, it does! Wedge pillows are typically triangular in shape and constructed out of a durable memory or polyfoam that stays put as you sleep. They can be placed under the lower or upper body based on where the pain is. Either way, it fulfills the purpose of aligning your legs, hips, or neck with the angle of your spine to prevent intense pain. Using a wedge pillow under your legs can also help with swelling or edema by improving blood circulation.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Shreya Vishwanathan, is a health and fitness enthusiast. She browsed several trusted forums for user feedback and put together the best pillows for hips pain relief. While curating this list, she has considered the necessary parameters, safety requirements, and additional features. The products mentioned in this article help prevent stiffness in the morning, improve spinal alignment, and relieve back, knee, and hip pain.

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Hannah ShinePersonal Trainer

 

Hannah Shine is a personal trainer currently working as a health manager at Hourglass Waist, Australia. She holds a diploma in Nutrition and a certification as a personal trainer from the Australian Fitness Academy. With six years of experience, Hannah believes in guiding her clients with the right tools.

Read full bio of Hannah Shine

Shreya VishwanathanCommerce Writer

 

Shreya is a commerce writer who is passionate about reviewing products related to fitness, health, and home. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, and has four years of experience.

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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Aditi NaskarAssociate Commerce Editor

Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.

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