Orthopaedic Pillow: What the Term Means and What Really Matters

“Orthopaedic” is not a protected term for pillows, and on its own it says nothing about fit. Whether a pillow works for you depends mainly on getting the right height, which comes down to your body measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress.

What does “orthopaedic” actually mean for a pillow?

The term isn't protected when it comes to pillows. Any manufacturer can use it, and each one means something different by it. Often it refers to one of these features:

All of these can make sense. But none of them guarantees that the pillow suits you. A pillow labelled “orthopaedic” can be too high for your shoulders, while a plain pillow without that label can be just right.

The label describes the manufacturer's intention, not your fit.

Is an orthopaedic pillow a medical device?

Not automatically. A pillow can call itself “orthopaedic” without being a medical device. So we'll say it plainly: Pillowise is not a medical device. We don't call our pillow “orthopaedic” either. It is a made-to-measure memory foam pillow, and it doesn't promise a cure.

What a well-fitted pillow can do is limited, but useful: it supports your head and cervical spine in one line and leaves room for your shoulder. That can contribute to a comfortable sleeping position. It doesn't treat any condition. If you regularly wake up with neck or shoulder pain, have the cause checked by a doctor. A pillow is no substitute for an examination. You can read more in our guide to pillows for neck tension.

Why does height matter more than the label?

Seen from the side, your head should sit in line with your cervical spine. The distance between your head and the mattress is different for every person. It depends on these factors:

• Shoulder width: If you have broad shoulders, you need more height so your head doesn't drop.
• Neck circumference and neck length: These determine how much support is needed between your head and shoulder.
• Sleeping position: The distance is greater when you sleep on your side than on your back, and it is usually smallest when you sleep on your stomach.
• Mattress: On a soft mattress your shoulder sinks in deeper than on a firm one. That changes the height you need.

If the pillow is too high or too low, your neck bends out of line, no matter what label is on the packaging. You can find out how to spot this in Pillow too high or too low?. For how the right height is worked out in general, see Calculating pillow height.

The right height comes from your body, not from the name of the pillow.

And what about the “ergonomic pillow”?

“Ergonomic” isn't a consistently defined term for pillows either. It usually refers to a shape that is meant to support the head. Whether that shape suits you comes down to measurements again. A side sleeper with broad shoulders needs different support from a back sleeper with narrow shoulders. We have a separate guide for side sleepers: The right pillow for side sleepers.

Is there a test winner that suits everyone?

If you're looking for a test winner, you're hoping for a simple answer. But a test winner is chosen using the criteria of that particular test, such as materials or workmanship. A test can't know how broad your shoulders are or how you sleep. A pillow that scores well for many people can still be too high or too low for you.

Our view: test results can help with materials, workmanship and care. When it comes to height, only a measurement taken on your own body will help. For general guidance on choosing, see our guide Which pillow suits whom?.

How does Pillowise work?

Pillowise grew out of a question about fit. Thijs van der Hilst, a physiotherapist and the inventor of Pillowise, couldn't recommend a suitable pillow to patients with neck complaints. So he developed his own measuring method. Three measurements determine which pillow size suits you:

Your sleeping position (back, side, stomach) and your mattress (soft, medium, firm) are also taken into account. An algorithm uses these details to choose the size that fits best. There are six sizes.

We don't ask what you want your pillow to be called, but how your body is built.

How do you find your size?

1. Get measured or scan yourself: At a Pillowise stockist, you are measured with the Pillowise measuring tape. Or you can use PillowScan at scan.pillowise.com, on your smartphone or via QR code.
2. Enter your sleeping position: back, side or stomach. If you change positions, choose the one you spend most of the night in.
3. Enter your mattress: soft, medium or firm.
4. Use the result: You receive the pillow size that matches these details.

You can find the measuring tools at Taking measurements: finding your pillow size.

What does the Pillowise pillow offer?

The pillow measures 55 x 35 cm. The core is 100% memory foam and is made in the Netherlands. The cover has a moisture-regulating top layer of Tencel and a bottom layer of polyester. It is machine washable at 40 °C. The materials are certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX. We give a 5-year warranty on every Pillowise pillow. It is made by United Comfort Industries, which has been making ergonomic sleep products in its own factory in the Netherlands since 1990. You'll find all the details at The Pillowise pillow.

Memory foam is only the material. It says nothing about height. To see how the material compares with others, read our guide to memory foam pillows.

Pillowise isn't sold through an online shop on pillowise.com. The pillow is available through stockists, including physiotherapy clinics, chiropractors, sleep specialists, wellness practices and specialty retailers. There we measure you, and you can try out your size at your own pace. For travel there is Pillow ToGo, a travel pillow measuring 34 x 35 cm with the same support as the standard pillow. For children aged 4 to 15 there is Pillowise Junior.

So: do you need an orthopaedic pillow?

You can't decide that from the label. If you wake up rested every morning and your pillow feels comfortable, you don't need to change anything. That pillow is a good enough fit, whatever it's called.

If you're unsure whether the height is right, if you've already tried several pillows, or if you have broad shoulders and standard heights never fit, a measurement is worthwhile. It shows you which size suits your body. It doesn't promise more than that. If you have ongoing complaints, they belong in a doctor's hands, not in a pillow shop.

Find your size or locate a stockist

Three measurements show you which pillow size suits you.

Work out your size yourself or find a stockist near you.

Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise