Don’t abandon your mattress just yet.
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Waking up with a sore body is enough to make you want to throw out your entire bed (I speak from experience)—but you don’t necessarily have to buy a new mattress to address your overnight aches and pains. If your creakiness is concentrated in your back and lower body, a handy little knee pillow might be all you need to feel better in the morning.
Designed to fit comfortably and snugly between your knees while sleeping on your side, these cushions are usually firmer and smaller than regular bed pillows. They also have a more ergonomic design—most are shapes like an hourglass, with a narrow middle and wider ends, to better cradle your legs. This intentional design can alleviate pressure points that can build while you sleep (and make your joints cranky the next day).
While severe or chronic back, hip, or knee pain warrants a call to your doctor, you can get relief from minor stiffness—and enjoy a comfier night’s sleep—with this simple upgrade to your bedtime setup. We talked to orthopedic experts about the full benefits of using a knee pillow and tested the top models on the market. Check out our favorites below.
