After a long day of work, nothing feels more rewarding than getting a good night’s rest. But that can be counterproductive if you wake up the next morning with only more pain and having a harder time getting through the day. What might be the cause of that discomfort and poor sleep quality? It could be a pillow not designed with your health in mind. That’s exactly why more people are choosing to invest in quality orthopedic pillows for a variety of reasons. If the concept of solving these issues with orthopedic pillows is news to you, then these are the things to know before using an orthopedic pillow:
- The role of an orthopedic pillow
- Different pillows for different needs
- Plenty of health benefits
- Low end vs high end pillows
The role of an orthopedic pillow
Orthopedic pillows, sometimes called cervical or therapeutic pillows, as their names suggest are meant for correcting issues and relieving the pain of the skeletal and muscular systems. The aim of all orthopedic pillows is to keep the spine aligned by providing increased support to the neck as you sleep. The ideal pillow will form contours of your head, neck, and shoulders for keeping your body in a neutral position and keeping you asleep throughout the night.
A frequent misconception is that these pillows are only meant for those with sleep disorders or chronic pain. They are often associated with their ability to aid with chronic conditions that affect sleep quality. While they can certainly benefit those groups, the only requirement needed to benefit from using an orthopedic pillow is having a spine.
Different pillows for different needs
Since no two people’s health needs and bodies are the same, then not all pillows should be designed with the same person in mind. When choosing an orthopedic pillow it’s important to consider your own sleeping habits for the most optimal rest possible. A place to start is thinking about the position your head is in while you sleep to determine the shape of a perfect pillow. Back sleepers need flatter and rounder pillows than side sleepers who need increased support to keep the neck aligned with the rest of the spine.
That brings us to the different materials used in orthopedic pillows. Memory foam is the most common material used because of its ability to support the head and mold to its shape. However, for people who tend to get warm in their sleep, there are fiber pillows that are temperature-regulated.
Plenty of health benefits
Sleep is a huge indicator of the rest of our mental and physical well-being. So when you invest in having better, uninterrupted sleep you’ll find that the day is easier to get through. Whether that’s because of increased mental clarity or having less aching neck pain, these are the usual effects that come with owning an orthopedic pillow. Consumers also report just how comfortable they are to sleep on and having less tossing or turning at night. By simply maintaining a healthy sleep posture, orthopedic pillows support your spine more than just an average pillow could do.
Low end vs high end pillows
We know what you’re thinking about orthopedic pillows, that you would have to make a serious investment in what should be a simple product to make a difference in your sleep quality. Yes, there are plenty of pillows that sell for over $100 with rave reviews, but there are also pillows for those on a budget looking for better sleep. Check out this guide to pillows of the best value of the last year from Inspiring Dreams.
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