Do travel Pillows Really Relieve Neck Muscles?

Comfort, warmth, support ... Travel pillows have it all, but are they really safe for our necks? Two experts tell us everything we need to know.

Long trips often come with pain, tensions and aches all over the body. Therefore, travelling pillows look very appealing as an attempt to minimize the pain caused by long rides and travels by plane or train, and to feel more comfortable. This pillow, whether inflatable, rigid, in microbeads or memory shape, is available in different materials to meet everyone's desires. As comfortable as it seems while traveling, is it really useful for neck support and posture in general? Check out osteopathNicolas Rodet and massager-physiotherapist Jean-Christophe Guillaumot.

A Good Support

Not surprisingly, both experts agree on the need for neck pillows when traveling. You can benefit from good head support thanks to it while travelling.

"When you start feeling sleepy, your head tends to bend forward and unbalance the cervical area at the back of the neck," explains osteopath Nicolas Rodet.

If it is not well controlled, this relaxedmuscle can lead to spasms, according to physiotherapist Jean-Christophe Guillaumot.On the long term, it can lead to more disabling disorders such as stiff necks, migraines or dizziness.

You need to take some criteria into consideration while choosing the right neck pillow for you. The key is to seek for comfort, from a tight neck support to extra soft one. However, be careful not to choose a too tight neck pillow, because "Too much pressure around the neck can block blood circulation,” says Nicolas Rodet.

The Recommended Pillow

While both experts insist on the effectiveness of travel pillows, both agree that certain models prove to be more suitable for certain travel conditions. For those who love backpacking trips, it is better to use the inflatable one, with minimum bulk. On the other hand, for a long-haul trip, the best solution is the memory pillow.

"It will best fit the person's head and offers a feeling of warmth to prevent frequent draught at altitude," confirms osteopath Nicolas Rodet.

By train or bus, travelers will rather appreciate the circular pillow called “donut pillow”, which can be used both to rest the head back, but also to relieve the buttocks sitting on an uncomfortable seat. Finally, car enthusiasts will opt for the microbead pillow, which is large, but easy to place between the headrest and the car door.

The alternative

If you’re currently not planning to invest in a good pillow for your long rides, here are some alternatives to limit the pain; in a bus or car trip, take advantage of the little breaks to move or walk, "Don’t stay fixed in the same place the whole way, because it blocks blood circulation," insists the osteopath.

If it is impossible to get up, you can stretch your neck from your seat for example; move your head back then inhale and exhale deeply. “This helps relax the trapezius and warm up the muscles,” explains the physiotherapist.