Choosing the Right Pillow

Keeping Your Head and Spine Aligned with the Correct Pillow

Jan 14, 2009 Vicki F. Chavis

When a pillow doesn't keep one's head aligned with the spine, neck pain or muscle cramps and tension results. Buying a pillow doesn't have to be a stab in the dark.

There are as many pillows on the market as varieties of cars in lots. Anyone's head can spin trying to make sense of the choices.

Pillows have a huge impact on sleep and with the wrong pillow, insomnia and muscle tension can result with negative implications in one's daily life.

Understanding Pillows

Pillows are made for different kinds of sleepers.

As a stomach sleeper, a flat pillow works best to keep the back from arching unnaturally.
As a side sleeper, a more puffy, dense pillow will help keep one's head in line with the spine. Side sleepers also like leg-spacer pillows or extra long pillows to place along the stomach for balance.
Back sleepers need a medium filled pillow which won't push the head unnaturally forward. Alignment is the key to finding the right pillow according to sleep expert, Michael Breus, Ph.D.

Support Pillow

A Stress Ease Support Pillow was designed with total cervical support in mind. With most sleeping positions, this pillow with its concave center support allows the head to be supported properly while sleeping.

Used for post-whiplash syndrome, post-spinal surgery, headaches, this hypoallergenic fiberfill pillow holds its shape and lasts twice as long as other foam pillows. Look for it at Sam's Club for less than $12.00.

Hollander Natural Elements Pillow

Back sleepers don't need puffy pillows which push the head forward, leading to a stiff neck. A medium-fill pillow like Hollander's Natural Elements Pillow Jumbo can be purchased for under $15 online with its cover made from non-bleached cotton.

Water-Filled Pillow

When water is added to the leak-resistant water chamber, a perfect, custom support level can be maintained from soft to firm. The buoyancy provides support to the head and neck to help relieve tension and stress.

A cushioned pouch surrounds the water chamber which can be filled with either warm or cool water for personal comfort. This pillow can be found at Sam's Club for less than $15.00.

Gelly Roll Pillow

The Gelly Roll soft polyester fiber pillow boasts a unique roll section which contains a gel pack that can be easily removed and microwaved for 30 seconds for heat therapy or frozen in the freezer for cold therapy.

Either way, hours of therapeutic relief can be found with heat or cold, as needed. This pillow can be used to relieve headaches, migraines, stiff necks, sore muscles or aches and pains in general. This pillow sells for under $33.00 at Sam's Club.

Mediflow Therapeutic Pillow

Clinically shown to improve sleep quality by adjusting support level, the Mediflow Waterbase pillow can be customized to fit one's needs. This pillow can be found at Target for under $30.00

Whether a soft, medium, or firm pillow is preferred, the Mediflow Waterbase can meet specific head and neck requirements. Doctors ranked the Mediflow pillows best overall in all aspects of quality of sleep tested in a published, clinical study at Johns Hopkins.

Kittrich Sleep Science Pillow

The Sleepwell crushed memory foam pillow forms to one's head and neck for even support. The dual styled cover offers temperature sensitivity and support with a warm jacquard on one side and a cool satin on the other. This pillow can be purchased for under $45.00 at Sam's Club.

HoMedics Ortho+Therapy Memory Foam Leg Spacer

For side sleepers serious about keeping the spine aligned, try this leg spacer foam pillow for under $15.00 online at Amazon.

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy Sleep Stages.

The copyright of the article Choosing the Right Pillow in Health Field is owned by Vicki F. Chavis. Permission to republish Choosing the Right Pillow in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Gelly Roll Pillow	Water Pillow	Kittrich Sleep Science Pillow
HoMedics Leg Spacer

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