A contour/contoured pillow has a central channel or groove running from side to side, above and below which are two raised sections. One will be raised higher than the other. Side sleepers will generally lie with the side of their head in the groove with the smaller of the raised areas supporting their neck. Back sleepers will sleep with the back of their head in the groove, with the larger of the raised areas supporting their neck. In this way, your neck is properly supported in line with your spine without the individual vertebrae putting pressure on the disks. This YouTube video shows you how.