You know these odd-shaped, expensive pillows for people with sore backs? Has anyone used them, and do they make a difference?

[MrsMuddle]

I often wake up with a sore neck, and sometimes a sore back. This is probably due to a previous job, which involved 10-hours shifts in front of a computer and left me with carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as various other aches and pains. My mattress is fine, and I'm experimenting with various pillow combos, but I was wondering if anyone had tried the ones you see advertised in the Sunday mags with a hollow in the middle, and, if so, whether they are worth the money.

I have a tempur memory foam one and it is great.I used to get sore necks but haven't since using this.It's been about 5 years.My dh has tried the cheaper versions but they're crap ,really hard compared to ridiculoulsy expensive tempur one.

like this one only I paid a lot more!

I had a severe neck injury when pregnant with DS1 and for many used tried the special pillows that were on sale but found that they were hard and that I needed to put a more comfortable pillow over them. More recently I've invested in a really expensive down pillow which I can shape to fit under my neck if I want. This has been more successful than the other pillows.

I have a fairly firm foam one from Ikea like this it has a two different sized bumps, to suit different sized necks. I put a thin feather pillow on top to soften it. Trial and error to get the right combination.

Thank you, everyone. I think I'll be asking Santa for one.

I had a whiplash injury when I was a child and for years suffered with really terrible neck pain.
When DH and I got together he suggested I try out his Buckwheat pillow, I thought he was mad but gave it a go. Took a few nights to get used to but I noticed the pain lessened and after a week I was pain free. A few years later I bought one for my mum and she'd never go back to normal pillows either.

I never used to use a pillow at all, until a few months ago my chiropractic insisted I had to start, as I had back ache, neck ache, headaches, the lot.
I had a lovely thick squashy down one, but it didn't really help, and now I've got a tempur one and the difference is amazing. Hideously expensive but totally worth it.

I'd never heard of buckwheat pillows before, but after looking at the price of the tempur ones, maybe I should try them first. Now, being the type of person that starts sneezing at the first whiff of anything vaguely feathery or natural in a pillow, do you think they'd be likely to affect me?

I have a foam shaped ikea one that has made the world of difference.

this is it I think

Is a lot cheaper than the others. But it can be trial and error as different ones suit different people

I bought one & it is good. Can;t remember where mine was from but it wasn't hugely expensive

I use an ikea one with a thin feather pillow on top.

I have the same as ggirl, and definitely second her recommendation.

I'm reviving this thread to say that thanks to all your recommendations, I bought a shaped pillow and have been sleeping loads better, and have hardly any neck pain now! I bought the same one Skribble has, and it's been great, so thanks everyone!