In recent memory, I’ve written posts about some of my favorite makeup products, my favorite food storage containers, and the best sheets I’ve ever slept on. And speaking of sleeping, today I want to tell you about another product that has helped improve my quality of sleep significantly: a knee pillow.
I never would have guessed it before trying it for myself, but this one little addition to my sleep setup has totally changed the way I sleep. But before we get to the specifics, I want to rewind a bit to the sleep issues I was dealing with that led me to this point, because I think many of you will be able to relate!
Sleeping On Your Side Can Be A Pain… Literally
Sleep surveys consistently rank “side sleeping” as one of the most common sleep positions. One survey by the U.K. Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service found that 41% of responders reported primarily sleeping on their side. But even though many of us sleep that way, it isn’t without its drawbacks.
Sleeping on your side can pull your hips and spine out of alignment and cause hip and back aches. It’s not uncommon for side sleepers to report experiencing back pain, which is exactly what I was struggling with at the beginning of this saga.
It was extremely frustrating, not least because my mattress is relatively new and offers plenty of support! But not even the best mattress can ensure that your spine is in alignment when you sleep on your side, so I started doing some research to find a solution.
Related: This Is Every Bedding Item I Absolutely Swear By
What DIDN’T Fix My Back Pain
I suspected that my hips being out of alignment was contributing to my back pain, so I figured that putting something between my legs might help to stabilize my hips. I tried a regular pillow first, but it wasn’t supportive enough to make much of a difference.
So I tried a bigger pillow next (a body pillow to be specific), but that didn’t work either. It took up too much space in my bed and made me really hot, too. But the third time was the charm, and I finally found the solution I had been searching for!
This Is The Knee Pillow That Every Side Sleeper Needs
After two failed attempts, I finally decided to search for a dedicated knee pillow for side sleepers. I found this knee pillow from Everlasting Comfort on Amazon and decided to give it a try. (It was only $40 after all!) It turned out to be worth every penny, and I’ve been kicking myself for not trying something like this sooner!
This 100% memory foam knee pillow provides the perfect amount of support and has an ergonomic design that fits snugly between my legs. (I also like that it has a removable strap I can use to help keep it in place!) This is the only pillow I have tried that has provided enough support to truly keep my hips and legs aligned while I sleep.
After several months of using this knee pillow, I can confidently say that it has been one of the best investments I could have made for my sleep. Waking up with back pain is rare now, instead of being an everyday occurrence.
My husband eventually decided he needed one too, and now he feels the same way I do about it! The knee pillow itself has also kept its shape well, so I know that it’s going to last for a long time to come!
If you sleep on your side and have been waking up with hip or back pain, I highly recommend giving this knee pillow (or one like it) a try. It’s a relatively inexpensive solution, but it makes such a big difference to wake up pain-free!
Do you have any “sleep accessories” that have helped you sleep better?
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Yes! I have been using one of those knee pillows for years! They are GREAT! I got mine such a long time ago and it’s held up but I’m so glad you found a new source for the product. I have NO idea where I bought it back then. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.YES! I’m a side sleeper and I’ve been looking for something like this. Thanks for the recommendation.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How timely! I’m a side sleeper, also got a new mattress recently for my sleep type, AND I’ve been using a body pillow between my legs. But I just spent $65 at the massage therapist’s office to have her work on the horrible hip pain I’ve been having in recent weeks. I’m going to try the knee pillow idea immediately!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is such FATE that I’m reading your post today!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve always been a side sleeper (I’ve tried to train myself to sleep on my back to delay wrinkles, numerous times with no success). Prior to last week I’d never had back issues, but the pillow I used between my legs was too big/firm so I woke up & couldn’t move for 2 days!
Thank you SO much for sharing your trick! I’ll let you know how it works for me!
I’m so glad Shannon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am a side sleeper and over the past few years have developed aches and pain in hips. So went online to Amazon Canada and found this knee pillow and ordered it. Thanks for your recommendation. Sure hope it will solve my problem.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve had one of those pillows for years. I don’t always use it but if my legs are bothering me I pull it out of the bottom drawer of my night stand and settle down to sleep. I tried a regular pillow but it did not give my legs the support they needed. I love reading your hints and have saved many of them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I learned the trick about putting a pillow between your legs when I was pregnant 30+ yrs ago to relieve the pressure on your back from the extra weight from the baby. I will check out the pillow because I believe it would be more support than a regular pillow. Thanks love your work.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OMG! I don’t normally write comments but this post blew me away! I have been having back issues and hip problems and my doctor never said sleeping on my side would cause problems! Wow! Thank you Jillee for saving the day. I have ordered this pillow and can’t wait to see how it helps my back and hips! Love you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so so glad!! Thanks Sharon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using a body pillow for years and it is hard to move around my bed; I do have back problems and knee now from age. will give this a try.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I recently read that side sleeping allows optimum drainage for cleansing CSF for brain health and maybe reducing Alzheimer’s, where bad proteins tangle the brain. Left side sleeping aids digestion.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve always slept on my side. My mom has had hip issues lately and been getting injections for it. She also sleeps on her side. I’ll have to show this to her.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In your recipe for foot salve, is the beeswax pastilles the same as beeswax pearls?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I worked in a doctor’s office. The knee pillow is not the best solution for side sleepers. Any pillow between the thighs can be dangerous as it can interferes with blood and lymph circulation and can lead to blood clots and awelling. A far better solution is to use and overstuffed (or 2 pillows wrapped in a bed sheet so that they move as one). I use king sjze because my kefs are long. Put the top of the pillow beside you one the level of your navel. Then roll onro your side and swing yohr top leg onto the pillow. Your want to be sure that your knee AND foot are both supported at the same hight. Your spine will be perfectly aligned, and your circulation is uncompromised. Then swing your upper arm over another smaller pillow, teddy bear or spouse to keep your chest open, support your shoulder and make breathing easier.
Thanks so much for sharing this great information, Kerry. I’m sure many people will find this very helpful. :-)