An orthopedic pillow, what exactly is it? What are its benefits (and disadvantages)? For which sleeper profile is it preferred? What are the criteria for choosing the right model? At Bonsoirs, we have prepared a complete guide for you on the subject.
What is an orthopedic pillow?
The orthopedic pillow is a type of ergonomic cushion. Its design aims to improve your well-being and comfort by relieving your neck joints and muscle tension points. It is available in different quality materials, such as latex, memory foam and polyurethane foam. There are also several forms of orthopedic pillow such as the rectangular pillow and the ergonomic wave-shaped pillow.
What is an orthopedic pillow used for?
The orthopedic pillow is particularly suitable if you suffer from the following pathologies and problems:
- Neck and back pain.
- Cervical osteoarthritis.
- Burning and stomach problems.
- Sleep apnea.
- The snoring.
Why buy an orthopedic pillow?
The ergonomic and orthopedic pillow is the best for comfort and well-being. It provides spinal alignment, adapts to all body types and improves blood circulation.
Better cervical alignment
The main benefit of the orthopedic pillow is to support the cervical muscles during sleep. During the day, your neck is put under constant strain and strain. This can be a source of discomfort or even pain. During the night, it must therefore be in the most natural position, in perfect alignment with the spine.
An adaptation to the morphology of the sleeper
The orthopedic pillow also has the advantage of adapting to all body types. Regardless of your size and weight, it’s above all the position in which you like to sleep that counts. With this type of cushion, you must lie on your back or side and not on your stomach.
Better blood circulation
Thanks to an optimal balance between firmness and softness, the orthopedic cushion offers a perfect surface for relaxing the neck and upper back muscles. This relaxation will allow better blood circulation. A huge daily advantage for better health.
A durable, quality pillow
The design of the orthopedic pillow meets quality requirements that traditional pillows do not have. To ensure that the support provided is long-lasting, the material, filling and cushion support technology are designed for use for at least 10 years. A very interesting long-term investment.
How to choose your orthopedic pillow?
There are many criteria to take into account when choosing your pillow .
Sleeping position
The main criterion for choosing your orthopedic pillow is your sleeping position. If you sleep on your back, choose an orthopedic pillow that is fairly firm but not very thick to support your neck. It must also be rectangular.
If you sleep on your stomach, it is better to opt for a soft pillow and avoid the orthopedic pillow. Also keep in mind that the prone position is far from the most suitable for sleeping, as it puts pressure on your abdomen and interferes with your breathing. Finally, if you sleep on your side, test several orthopedic pillow models. This is the best method to find the one best suited to your needs.
The type of support desired
An orthopedic pillow can have different levels of support. Do you want soft comfort instead? Medium comfort? Firm comfort? It's up to you. There are several offers available for all preferences.
The quality of filling
Memory foam , or viscoelastic foam, is the perfect filling for an orthopedic pillow. In fact, quality foam will react to the heat of your body and perfectly match the shape of your head. There are also polyurethane foam pillows, latex pillows and polyester pillows, but they are often either too firm or too soft.
The shape of the orthopedic pillow
The optimal shape for an orthopedic pillow is rectangular. With a pillow of this type, your shoulders come up against the edges of the pillow and only your head and neck are placed on it. It's the best way to enjoy perfect spinal alignment during your night's sleep. There is also the cervical pillow (wave-shaped). It is less common, but nothing stops you from testing it to form your own opinion.
The height of the orthopedic pillow
A cervical, or orthopedic, pillow should have a maximum height of 9 cm if you sleep on your back. If you sleep on your side, a thickness between 10 and 15 cm is perfect. Finally, if you like to sleep on your stomach, you need a much thinner model (which does not exceed 8 cm).
How to maintain an orthopedic pillow?
An orthopedic pillow must be cleaned and maintained carefully. For example, do not put your memory foam cushion in the washing machine. If you do this, it will lose all its heat-sensitive properties. But then, how do you keep it clean? It's simple, you need to equip it with a removable and machine washable cover. This way you are protected against mites, bacteria and dirt. If you suffer from allergies, the cover is the perfect solution.
Some additional tips
Before making the final purchase, we advise you to test the orthopedic pillow to be sure of its quality and to see if it suits you. You can also seek the advice of your physiotherapist or osteopath. These lower back and neck pain professionals will be able to guide you in finding the model suited to your needs.
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