Side sleeper or stomach sleeper?

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

The best pillow for your sleeping position

Each one of us enjoy a unique sleeping style and position. Some of us sleep on our sides while others sleep on their backs. There are some who find it very comfortable sleeping on their belly. Sleepers have to choose pillows depending on their specific sleeping position for maximum comfort.
As you choose the best orthopedic pillow for your sleeping position, it is important keeping in mind a few aspects. Comfort is the main issue to be addressed here. A good pillow, no matter what position you sleep in, will ensure that you wake up absolutely fresh and well rested without any stiff neck, sore arms or cramps in your legs. Choose from a range of stomach sleeping pillow or belly pillow, side sleeper pillow, pillow or back sleeping pillow.
Side sleeping is most recommended as it prevents issues such as snoring and sleep apnea. However, side sleeping often results in other problems such as neck stiffness and frozen shoulder. These problems arise from continued pressure on the arms and shoulders while sleeping. Side sleeper pillows are excellent for side sleeping people and provide maximum comfort and relaxation. These pillows allow you to sleep with the right neck, arm and shoulder placement.

Side sleeper pillow

You can find side sleeping pillows in a range of sizes and materials. Memory foam pillows are a popular choice due to the flexibility and comfort they offer. These orthopedic pillows are specially designed to contour and align with your body shape. They prevent temporary paralysis and muscle strain by alleviating pressure on different parts of your body.
Many, especially babies are in the habit of sleeping on their stomachs. This position can result in issues such as neck pain. Stomach sleepers in fact usually wake up with stiff neck and back pain and they need an extra support to ensure a comfortable sleep. Stomach pillows offer that enhanced relaxation and comfort.
Soft pillows are ideal for stomach sleepers. A flat profile soft pillow ensures that you do not turn your head in an awkward angle during the night. By keeping your spine horizontally aligned to your head, you can be assured of a relaxed sleep.

Pillow for stomach sleeper

Also known as belly pillows, stomach sleeping pillows come with air cells that are inflatable. They are helpful in maintaining a constant, uninterrupted blood flow with the help of advanced technology. Pressure can be adjusted in these pillows for maximum comfort.
Back sleeping comes with its own problems such as snoring, back pain and sinus episodes. Back sleeping can be made an enjoyable and comfortable experience by using pillows that are soft but firm. Such pillows provide vital support for different parts of your body such as centre back, lower back and neck region. If you are a back sleeper, you can choose from a range of orthopedic pillows that come with a wedge. The wedge can be placed under your neck or knees for maximized comfort as they contour and mold to the shape of your body.
It is important to choose pillows from a reputed manufacturer to ensure longevity and enhanced sleeping comfort.

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Leg Pillow

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

A commonly underestimated pillow

A good night’s sleep is absolutely essential for proper functioning of the body. If we do not use the right pillow according to our specific sleep position, we tend to wake up with a stiff and sore neck, arms, legs, knees and back. In order to maximize comfort and enjoy a refreshing sleep, it is important to choose the right pillow.
If you suffer from leg pains, lower back pain, pain in the ankles or swollen feet, it is recommended to keep your legs elevated while you sleep. A leg pillow in memory foam offer a unique contoured shape that enables the pillow to conform to your legs for extra comfort. These pillows come with an internal wedge that helps adjust the height of the pillow.

Leg pillow for back sleepers

Especially during injuries, leg pillows help keeping the legs elevated and also help align the body to the most comfortable position while sleeping. There are unique leg pillows that align the spine as you sleep taking considerable strain off your body, especially the back.
Leg pillows come in different shapes and you can choose one according to your specific requirement. Roll leg pillows are cylindrical shaped and are ideally placed under the knees to avoid any strain to the leg muscles while sleeping. The arched knee position offered by these pillows also reduces back and spine problems. These pillows are made from traditional pillow batting, regular cushion foams, micro beads and memory foam.
Concave leg pillows comfortably fit between the legs. They are made of harder foam and help hold the legs in a parallel position thereby reducing strain on the spine. This pillow is usually made of memory foam.
Leg wedges are wedge shaped leg pillows. When placed under the legs, these pillows provide a comfortable upward angle for your legs as you sleep on your back. They can be placed between the legs to enhance comfort for side sleepers. These pillows are made from memory foam or thick foam.
Knee pillows are especially useful for those who sleep on their sides. Knee pillow is an orthopedic pillow can also help ease pain in the hip and back. These pillows are placed between the knees while sleeping to provide maximum comfort and to reduce strain on the hip bones.

Leg pillow for side sleepers

Knee pillows are usually hourglass or rectangular shaped. Knee pillows are usually made of memory foam which provides the right density and thickness. Memory foam exactly contours to the body shape due to its amorphous nature. This ensures that the pillow remains in place through the night and provides continued support.
Choose your knee and leg pillows with care to ensure good sleep and enhanced, comfortable rest. Provide vital support to parts of your body and make sure there is no undue stress on any portion that may result in stiffness, soreness, aches and pains.
Leg pillows and knee pillows are very essential to avoid stiffness of the leg muscles and support for the hip and back.

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Pregnancy Pillow

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

A pillow for the most important time in a woman’s life

Pregnancy is a time when women crave for comfort and relaxation. They usually struggle to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Sleeping on their sides, they tend to develop aches and pains in their hips and sleeping on their back is greatly uncomfortable.
A good quality maternity pillow is the ideal choice that can help pregnant women sleep in an uninterrupted manner. They offer enhanced comfort and relaxation and are designed to aid with keeping the body in the most appropriate position. Maternity or pregnancy pillow is available in different materials, shapes, sizes and colours.

example of pregnancy pillow

Whether you are a back or side sleeper, pregnancy pillows is the ideal choice as they are designed for comfort and are highly flexible. Pregnancy pillows are also specifically available for neck and head support. If you find great strain on your hips and knees, you can keep a pillow under the knee and separate your legs for a comfortable position.
Back and hip pain relief is possible with a top quality pregnancy pillow. Cramping on hips and legs are avoided by using these pillows that offer enhanced mental and physical health benefits.
As you choose your pregnancy pillow, ensure you buy from a reputed and quality manufacturer. These pillows can also be used post delivery for adding comfort to nursing. Choose the long maternity pillows that can be comfortably wrapped around your belly while you sleep in peace.
Choose from a range of small pregnancy pillows for tucking under your belly. If you want to be comfortable both in the front and back, choose from a range of large sized maternity pillows that are exclusively designed for this purpose.
Similar to other orthopedic pillows, pregnancy pillows are large in size. As you purchase these pillows keep in mind the size of your bed. If your mattress is small, large pillows may take up a lot of space. These pillows are ideally used on king sized beds.
Smaller pregnancy pillows are easily portable. They can be carried around wherever you to and are a great asset if you have to travel.
While larger pillows are comfortable to be wrapped around for enhanced comfort while lying down, medium sized pregnancy pillows also provide enough support. If you can afford it and have a bed large enough, choose from a range of exciting dual use large maternity pillows.
Fabrics used to make maternity pillows are many including cotton, silk and polyester. These pillows are filled with polyester, cotton or memory foam. Choose the right fabric and fill type according to your specific requirement, preference and budget.
During pregnancy, it is important minimising any mental or physical strain. This is possible only with a relaxed, deep and refreshing sleep every single night. Take the help of pregnancy pillows for resting in the most appropriate position that prevents any strain or cramps to the muscles.
Choose pillows from manufacturers reputed for quality. This will ensure optimum value and you can be sure these pillows last for a long time offering continued comfort.

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Neck Roll Pillow

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

Orthopedic pillows to defeat neck soreness

A relaxed and well rested mind is the most productive. Rest and relaxation comes with deep, uninterrupted sleep at night and this in turn is possible with the help of the right leg, back and neck pillows. Each one of us sleeps in a unique position and it is important choosing the right pillows that are suited to our specific position. You may have experienced a great strain and stress on your neck when you wake up in the mornings. This is entirely due to the wrong pillow that does not offer the right support to your neck portion.

Neck roll pillows are the perfect answer for this problem. These pillows come in the shape of a cylinder and are smaller than the normal pillows. Ample support is provided by these cervical pillows due to their unique design that fits them exactly to your neck curvature. Most of the neck roll pillows are made of traditional materials like polyester fill as well as memory foam.

Example of neck roll

Memory foam pillows are most popular due to the softness and comfort they provide. Memory foam is sturdy and offer great support and relaxation to the spinal area. Memory foam neck roll pillow molds and contours to the shape of your neck. You can choose pillows where pressure can be decreased or increased depending on your preference. This is made possible by an inflatable mechanism. Choose from a wide range of neck roll pillows in different shapes and sizes to specifically support your neck.

These kind of orthopedic pillows are also used by people to support their lower back, knees and ankles. Neck roll pillows are ideal to be carried while travelling to provide the right support. They are supportive and soft and can also be placed under the normal pillows for enhanced comfort. Orthopedic pillow for the neck are designed to offer comfort for those sleeping on their sides and back. There is a wedge in the middle of the pillow that is especially useful for back sleeping. Side sleeping comfort is enhanced with the wedges provided on the sides of the pillow. If you work for a prolonged period of time on the computer, you may suffer from neck related problems such as stiff neck and stretched neck. Using the neck pillows for support you can completely eliminate such problems. Cervical pillows are also ideal for alleviating lower back pain and any spine related problems. Neck roll pillows are made of different materials, the most popular being the memory foam. There are therapeutic pillows that come incorporated with a hot or cold pack. Certain cervical pillows come with the neck massaging and healing pack options for maximized comfort and relaxation. Neck pillows are small in size and can be easily carried around wherever you go. They can be used during long distance travel and are easy to maintain. Neck pillows are offered in attractive designs. You can choose them depending on your specific preference and requirements. Neck pillows are virtually vital for a relaxed, deep, comforting and refreshing sleep. Choose the right neck pillow and enjoy your sleep.

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Coccyx Cushion

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

Orthopedic pillows for a difficult area.
If you suffer from tail-bone or coccyx injury known as coccydynia, it can be extremely painful and it may debilitate you from carrying on with your normal activities. Coccyx is the area in the lower spine and it is easily aggravated. Due to its position healing processes in this area are very slow.

Anatomy of the coccyx

As there is no immediate treatment or fix for this problem, it is only possible to provide symptom relief by supporting the area with coccyx cushions and giving it time to repair itself in a natural manner.
Coccyx cushion is used to eliminate pressure from your coccyx or tailbone and to provide a natural posture by realigning the spine. This cushion is especially useful for driving as it can be used as a car seat cushion to alleviate pressure on the lower spinal discs and tailbone as you drive long distances.
These pillows are designed to prevent back pain and relieve pressure with its unique design where a wedge is specifically cut out where your tailbone rests. This cushion has a seat wedge that offers the right sitting position by tipping your pelvis forward.
There are orthopedic pillows and coccyx cushions available to help you sit for long periods of time in your living room, office, car, boat or stadium without straining your tailbone and spinal discs.
The cushion comes with a seat wedge cut in a unique manner that relieves pressure in the coccyx area.
There are many types, shapes, materials and sizes of coccyx cushions available and you can choose one depending on your specific requirement.

Example of coccyx cushion

Memory foam coccyx cushion is made of visco-elastic memory foam. This type of foam has greater density than normal foams and there provides excellent contouring. Coccyx cushions made of memory foam exactly shapes and molds to your body shape providing maximum comfort. Being sensitive to temperature, memory foam coccyx cushions regain their shape instantly. They are durable and long lasting and provide enhanced continued comfort.

Coccyx cushions are also made of firm foam that is resilient and lesser in density. It offers good comfort when used in combination with padded seats.

Gel coccyx cushions use a layer of foam with a gel cushion. The soft gel portion is useful in pressure and weight distribution and the foam portion offers great stability.

The air coccyx cushion on the other hand comes with a layer of air that helps reduce pressure. This cushion can be made firm or soft by adjusting the amount of air. Air cushions are ideal for short term use and are the most portable cushion types.
Ring cushions come in a different shape. They help reduce pain in the coccyx resulting from symptoms such as bruising, enlarged prostrates and hemorrhoids.
You can choose the size and shape of the cushion depending on your comfort. Relieve stress on your coccyx area and be seated comfortably for a long period of time with the help of high quality coccyx cushions.

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Orthopedic pillow. Materials overview.

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

Choosing the right material

When it comes to orthopedic pillows the choice of materials is very important. Asthma and allergies sufferers should approach with caution to the classic goose feather pillows (not orthopedic indeed), comfortable for some but not quite washable and easily colonized by mites.

Standard foam pillows are more hygienic and therefore useful for those suffering from allergic rhinitis however they can result too hot during the summer and may not suit people with neck conditions due to their great rigidity. A good compromise between comfort and hygiene is represented by latex pillows, they are washable and mite-proof however they can still result too rigid for someone.

Microfiber pillows are modern and comfortable. Thanks to the special weaving mesh they allow the redistribution of weights so that they fit the natural curvature of the cervical region. The system is similar to that of a latex mattress that can change the points of pressure to follow the forms of head and neck. In some cases these fibers are equipped with the so-called “anti-mite system”. These synthetic materials are specially designed to repel dust mites, giving more hygienic and restful sleep to those suffering from allergic problems.

Memory foam pillow

Finally the most advanced material on the market is known as memory foam. These pillows, made of a specially designed gel or foam latex, are able to change their shape absorbing the heat emanated by the person using it, moreover they record it for a few seconds, hence memory. When you turn while sleeping, the “memory” is lost in a few seconds and the pillow adapts itself to the new position immediately, so that the pillow fits the head and neck and not vice versa.

Another type of dynamic pillow is the water pillow which conforms to the shape of the head thanks to a special water container within the pillow.

Natural and organic pillows are also very popular, they are usually made with beans or cereals. The presence of biological material helps to make the pillow relaxing and eco-friendly, it is also very cool during the summer.

There isn’t therefore an ideal and universal solution for everyone, the preference of one type over another is purely personal. In general, depending on the products currently available, the best pillow has the following features: easily washable and hypoallergenic, on the top of this, the choice must be dictated by one’s special pain/conditions or sleeping habit. As I will illustrate in the next articles each sleeping habit or pain can be associated to its optimal orthopedic pillow.

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Introduction to the choice of a proper orthopedic pillow

By Anthony Farrell, 2010, No Comment

the first orthoperdic pillow guide pillow image

Is this a proper pillow?

Pillow optimal size.

The pillow is not a simple rectangle of cloth stuffed with soft material, but a true companion, which sustains, more or less correctly, our head for about one third of life. Pillows are a constant cause of frustration for many.
An orthopedic pillow is an important item, like the bed net and the mattress, is indeed crucial to the quality of sleep.
The most important features are just the right height and a proper consistency, these are fundamental to achieve optimal comfort. On the other side it can be challenging to evaluate the correct setting since much depends on the position taken while sleeping and the anatomical characteristics of people using it.
One thing, however, is certain: if you sleep on the wrong pillow you risk, progressively, to experience serious problems in the back, neck and upper limbs, which often translates into a sense of malaise spread upon awakening. When you sleep the entire spine should be in a natural and relaxed position, starting from your cervical spine. The width of the pillow, above all, should be around 22″x 16″ to fit the width of the shoulders and prevent the head from sliding from one side during the night.
The height is crucial. If we consider sleeping in the supine position (chest up), we realize that a pillow too low or absent forces the neck to accentuate its curvature (cervical lordosis) to offset the back curvature (kyphosis).
As if from a sitting position, as you are likely reading this article, you drop the head back slightly, forcing it to an unnatural position. The result of this bad posture is to induce stiffening of the muscles that support the head, with the subsequent onset of pain in the neck and shoulder after waking. Likewise, a pillow that is too high, forcing the entire backbone and the muscles that support it in an unnatural position, maintained for so long (about one third of our day), can cause many problems upon awakening. We realize the inconvenience caused by this wrong posture when we drive for an extended period with our head bent forward: the spinal column is not in the correct position and the neck muscles tense therefore we experience neck pain.
If we sleep sideways on a pillow too high or too low again, the column loses its linearity. That is like holding for a long period our neck bent to the left or to the right, the feeling could be enjoyable on the short run, but certainly not in the long-term.
The height of the pillow is, therefore, a very important parameter, closely linked to its consistency. If the pillow is too soft neck “sinks” in it, but if the support is too hard, the neck muscles stretch. In both cases, the cervical column is forced to maintain an unnatural position that the muscles try to compensate thus constituting a potential source of pain. As a rule of thumb the pillow should maintain a height of 4 to 6 inches In the next article I will be talking about materials and I will give you some advice to choose the right pillow.

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Orthopedic pillow

Side sleeper or stomach sleeper?

Leg Pillow

Pregnancy Pillow

Neck Roll Pillow

Coccyx Cushion

Orthopedic pillow. Materials overview.

Introduction to the choice of a proper orthopedic pillow

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