Providing support for your neck and upper back is the most important role that the pillow needs to fill when you are asleep. We need this support when we are sleeping because the human spine is naturally curved. Having support for your head and neck helps to maintain the proper alignment of these areas of the spine. Sleeping without the adequate support will not only have a negative impact on your sleep, but it can also result in stiffness in your neck and back.

Selecting the right pillow for you will be largely dependent on the position that you sleep in the most. For people who sleep on their back, a pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck is best. If you sleep on your side, you will want to find a pillow that keeps your neck straight. And if you sleep on your stomach, you would be best served by a thin pillow or maybe no pillow at all. Beyond sleeping position, choosing a pillow that will fill your needs is mostly about personal preference.