If you keep waking up in the morning with a sore neck or headache, you should take a look at your sleeping situation – and perhaps think about getting an orthopedic pillow. We explain what you should consider.
If you sleep badly, you will of course notice it throughout the day. If you wake up with tense neck muscles or a bad headache, you should think about your sleeping situation: Is your sleeping position perhaps not optimal? People who sleep on their sides or stomachs often use unsuitable pillows. The better choice is usually an orthopedic pillow that is adapted to your sleeping position and relieves the strain on your back muscles while you sleep.
What is an orthopedic pillow?
Mostly, wave-shaped referred to as orthopedic pillows. They are not made of down or feathers, but of special foams that are more stable than normal pillows, but also a little elastic. They usually have bulges at the top and bottom, while the middle of the pillow is a little flatter. The bulges are intended to fill the space between the head and shoulder, provide stability and thus ensure a healthy posture.
The bulges usually have different heights: This means that the orthopedic pillow can be used both when lying on your side and when lying on your back. Depending on your sleeping position, the space between your head and shoulders is larger or smaller. When lying on your back, the lower bulge should be at the bottom, while when lying on your side, the higher bulge should be at the bottom.
Who is an orthopedic pillow suitable for?
Many people who sleep on their sides and stomachs benefit from an orthopedic pillow. This is because the neck is often bent when sleeping in these positions – as a result, the neck falls into an unhealthy position, which also has a negative effect on the shoulder and back muscles. Headaches, neck pain, back pain and tension are not uncommon. Anyone who suffers from these problems and usually feels the pain after sleeping should consider whether an orthopedic pillow would be suitable for them. However, the pain should not be ignored in any case and should be discussed with your GP or a physiotherapist if necessary.
What should you consider when buying?
The general rule when buying an orthopedic pillow is: the broader your shoulders and the stronger your overall build, the higher the pillow should be. This gives your head optimal support, but your shoulders can still sink into the mattress in a relaxed manner. The pillow should also be big enough so that your head doesn’t rest on the mattress when you turn over in your sleep. But it shouldn’t be too big either, because your shoulders shouldn’t rest on it, as this would mean you would no longer be able to sleep in an ergonomic position.
Orthopedic pillow for side, back and stomach sleepers
For side sleepers, a higher pillow is suitable because the space between the head and shoulder is particularly large in this sleeping position. For back sleepers, the pillow can be a little lower – or you can use an orthopedic pillow that is suitable for both sleeping positions. For stomach sleepers, on the other hand, a very suitable so as not to impair breathing and to avoid overstretching of the spine.
Orthopedic pillow with individual height adjustment
If you are not sure which height is best, you can get a There are usually different inserts or layers that can be added or removed as needed. You should be able to sink your shoulders into the mattress in a relaxed manner, and your head should be stable. There are also orthopedic pillows with different degrees of firmness so that you can really lie comfortably on them.
Adjusting an orthopedic pillow to your mattress
To ensure the very best sleeping situation, you should also include your mattress in your purchase decision. If it is very hard, the shoulders cannot sink in too far – and the gap between the head and shoulders is even larger. The pillow should therefore be higher. With soft mattresses, it is the other way round: the shoulders sink deeper into the mattress, the gap between the head and shoulders is smaller and in the end, the pillow should therefore be lower.
More information can be found here.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
