Orthopedic pillow - rules for selection and use

Good sleep is the key to excellent health. The body, like the brain, needs to rest to prevent the development of diseases. But people often feel pain in the neck, back and joints even after the recommended 6-8 hours of sleep. The cause of body discomfort is the wrong surface, most often the pillow, since the neck is most vulnerable.

Too soft or too hard, different heights due to lumps of filling - any type will cause fatigue. The usual position is also considered problematic - often the apparent comfort for the person himself tires the cervical spine more than one can imagine. An orthopedic pillow will help resolve the situation, having a number of advantages over conventional types.

Necessity of application

The case when an orthopedic pillow is simply necessary is the presence of osteochondrosis and other problems. Of course, no neck pillow will cure the pathology, but it will significantly help improve the physical condition. It is also a preventive measure that does not allow the disease to progress to a more serious stage.

The reasons for which the use of an orthopedic structure is simply necessary are the following:

• osteochondrosis (especially of the cervical spine);
• headaches, including migraines;
• frequent dizziness;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• pain in the neck and back due to external causes (physical activity, etc.);
• neurological diseases;
• spinal injuries.

It is noteworthy that most factors, one way or another, lead to similar symptoms. For example, cervical osteochondrosis provokes headaches and sleep problems. The list of indications is not limited to the given, it is diverse.

But the indications for using the pillow as an aid in illnesses do not mean that healthy people cannot use it either. It is also recommended for use by children of all ages. The gradual formation of the spine and the rest of the skeleton as the child grows affects his or her well-being. Problems can develop unnoticed: problems with posture, physical activity - and lead to a deterioration in well-being. The orthopedic block will support the body from the outside, allowing you to completely relax during sleep.

Advantages of an orthopedic pillow

Each product has its pros and cons, but in this case the positive features are obvious and overshadow any shortcomings.

Advantages of an orthopedic pillow.

1. Anatomical shape. A pillow with such an effect gives the correct position to the curves of the upper spine, thereby achieving thorough support for the head and neck. This advantage is the main difference of the orthopedic product due to the presence of 1-2 hard rollers for shaping.
2. Comfort. Only breathable materials are used to make the cover and stuffing, which means the product lets air through perfectly. It does not stagnate in the fabric, which usually causes a person to sweat. Natural ventilation is achieved due to the rigid shape - the pillow does not bend much under the weight of the head. A person feels rested after sleep.

   

3. Hypoallergenic. The filling often used in regular head pillows is an allergen for people (feathers, down, etc.). No type of filling causes individual intolerance. Even if this happens, you can choose a product with a different type of filling.
4. Safety. The materials prevent the development of fungus as a result of the accumulation of organic particles of skin, hair and human sweat. Mold does not develop, bedbugs and mites do not reproduce.

   

5. Convenience and therapeutic effect. The main goal is to align the spine, giving it the correct physiological anatomical shape. Pain in the neck and back disappears, migraines go away - nothing is pinched or squeezed as a result of an incorrect posture. The accessory is made in such a way that it takes a comfortable shape for the vertebrae.

   

Product Disadvantages

There are practically no downsides to the item if it is chosen correctly and taking into account all the nuances: from individual physiological structure to the presence of diseases. The only drawback is an incorrectly chosen filler. Pure latex is considered the most dangerous, because it is the hardest variety. Thus, the neck is supported by a solid structure and any uncontrolled turn in sleep will lead to pinching of blood vessels.

That is why it is important to choose the right orthopedic pillow, taking into account all the nuances. If the product is purchased for preventive purposes, then there are no problems with the choice - you need to choose the most comfortable one for a healthy person. However, if the goal is therapeutic and preventive, then before buying you need to consult with your doctor.

Fillers used

The most important part of a pillow is the filling. The filling should be dense, but at the same time provide a comfortable position for the neck. There are several types accepted for use in standard products.

Fillers meet a number of requirements, which can be either flexible or quite rigid, depending on the purpose of the pillow. The stuffing material must be elastic, hold its shape (i.e., if it is pressed, it will return back) and not crumble in the cover. In addition, resistance to secretions is required - sweat, fat, saliva, etc. - the filler should not get wet or absorb them. And, most importantly, it must have orthopedic properties - the load on the spine should be reduced as much as possible, and the muscles should relax.

Varieties.

1. Organic (or natural) - down, feather, buckwheat husk. Completely environmentally friendly composition, the only downside is individual intolerance. Buckwheat husk promotes air circulation, provides a massage and therapeutic effect. The pillow holds its shape without deforming under load. Recommended for use in osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, scoliosis.
2. Synthetic - foam rubber, polyester, sintepon, holofiber, rubber, silicone and polystyrene (a large number of balls). The materials are hypoallergenic, cost little, it is enough to air the pillow. Service life is more than 10 years, high wear resistance. Minus - the impossibility of wet cleaning. Universal for use.
3. Latex - springs due to thermal foaming. Maintains shape well, recommended for people sleeping on their backs. Has virtually no disadvantages, also refers to the natural type of filler - made on the basis of hevea juice.
4. Independent springs are a type of latex filler. The springs are positioned inside in such a way that they create a shape around the head and neck during sleep. It quickly changes if a person turns in their sleep - it reacts to movement.
5. Cooling gel is a new development, where liquid is used instead of filler. It takes the shape of the body, while additionally cooling. It has massage properties, but among the disadvantages is a long adaptation period. A person needs to get used to the cool, mobile material in the pillow.

   

There are also a number of varieties based on the listed fillers. Memory structures - the developed material is rebuilt under the weight of the head and takes into account the body temperature. The shape is preserved, while softly enveloping the head and neck. The cost of such a pillow is average - about 3 thousand rubles. The disadvantage is that the cover cannot be washed. In addition, there are pillows with adjustment - the cover has a hidden zipper through which you can either take out or add material inside. Thus, the height and rigidity of the pillow varies.

Choosing a pillow: what to look for?

A pillow for rest is chosen for a specific purpose, so it is necessary to take into account many nuances. First of all, these are individual features of a person's structure and the presence of diseases. And only after the characteristics of the product itself.

How to choose an orthopedic pillow? It is necessary to pay attention to the width of the shoulders, the depth of the neck bend and the comfortable level of "immersion" of the head in the pillow. The favorite sleeping position is important in the calculations. When sleeping on your back, you must definitely choose a product with a hard but low neck cushion. When sleeping on your side, the neck bend becomes deeper, therefore, the cushion should be higher. The rigidity of the mattress is also taken into account - here it is recommended to purchase a whole set of orthopedic products to achieve the maximum effect.

Analysis of the main characteristics of the pillow

When buying an orthopedic pillow, it is recommended to consider a number of basic characteristics. Based on these indicators, you can choose the ideal sleeping accessory.

Pillow size and height

The basic shape of a pillow from leading manufacturers is a rectangle, but you can find models in the form of a square, half-moon, circle and a simple bolster. Standard size: from 40x60 cm to 60x80 cm. This figure should be proportional to the distance from shoulder to shoulder - that is, the width of a person's shoulders. The height varies in the range of 6-16 cm, the average choice is 12 cm.

Rigidity

This parameter directly depends on the usual sleeping position:

• hard and low - for sleeping on your back;
• soft with medium height - on the stomach;
• hard, aligned in height, on the side.

Price

The price category is not the last criterion taken into account when choosing, and is important for the average buyer. The price directly depends on the manufacturer (domestic or foreign) and the type of filler. Accordingly, imported models will cost more, since the cost of transporting goods is additionally added. The main countries, except for Russia, are Italy, Germany, Korea and China. The cost is also affected by the type of pillow, if it has a memory effect, the price will also be higher.

Natural fillers are much more expensive than synthetic ones, and the price can be 2-3 times higher. Thus, a latex pillow costs about 2 thousand or more (depending on the manufacturer), and natural fluff - over 5 thousand. In addition to the main product - a pillow, the set also includes fragrant covers, pillowcases, additional filler.

Proper care

An orthopedic pillow is a useful medical and preventive accessory that is worth its money. The product, as a rule, has a long service life with timely ventilation and replacement of covers. However, the purchase will be useless if you do not take care of the pillow at all.

Despite the fact that the fillers are developed using the latest technologies, which do not require special care, a careful process of use is important. Otherwise, the pillow will quickly become unusable, especially if it is a memory-shape or with adjustable filling. Washing and even simple cleaning in relation to orthopedic pillows have certain nuances.

The following operating rules must be followed.

1. It is necessary to make the bed after sleep. The pillow should be completely covered with a blanket or coverlet on top - this prevents contamination due to dust accumulation. But it also interferes with ventilation. Therefore, manufacturers are increasingly releasing and adding special covers to the kit that prevent contamination, but do not interfere with natural air circulation.
2. The pillow should be aired and shaken out outside or on the balcony once every 7-10 days. It is better to develop a certain cycle so as not to forget about this ritual.

   

3. It is recommended to turn the product over, using both sides equally often. In addition, this way the filling will always be distributed evenly.
4. The product is to be used only for its intended purpose - for sleeping. For other purposes, other orthopedic pillows are purchased (for example, for sitting). It is forbidden to put things, heavy objects, jump or play with the thing. The structure of the filler will quickly deteriorate.

   

If you do not follow the technique of use, the item will quickly lose its orthopedic properties. In addition, before washing, you need to clarify its possibility and what filler was used for stuffing.

Washing orthopedic pillows

No one can use the same pillow for 10 years without getting it dirty. However, many orthopedic models cannot be machine washed, only by hand, and others cannot be wet at all - you need to dry clean them.

Features of washing.

• It is advisable to wash by hand, so that you can clean all the places without crumpling the filling;
• If you wash in a washing machine, use a delicate cycle at low temperature and a small number of drum rotations. Do not use spin or chemicals (powder, gel, etc.).
• Distribute wet filler evenly until dry.
• Do not dry in the sun, let it dry naturally.
• Do not wash more than 3 times a year.
• Do not squeeze or turn inside out.

It is recommended to carefully study the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning. It contains all the necessary care information. In addition, companies advise simply purchasing replacement covers - this way the main fabric will get dirty less often.

Reasons Why an Orthopedic Pillow Is a Bad Choice

Despite the obvious benefits of this type of product, the pillow may be uncomfortable for a particular person, even if all selection criteria have been met. This situation occurs for a number of specific reasons, mainly related to the fact that an error occurred in calculating the parameters.

The following are signs that the choice was wrong:

• numbness in the shoulders and pain in the neck after sleeping on an orthopedic pillow - the mattress is too hard and the product is not high enough;
• if a person additionally puts his arm under it while sleeping, the product is too low;
• if it constantly tosses and turns, the height is too high;
• If you are used to sleeping on your side, but always wake up on your back and feel tired, the pillow is too low, and the position changes subconsciously.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace the orthopedic pillow with a more suitable one. If necessary, use the help of a consultant or even discuss this possibility with your doctor.

Good sleep is vital to replenish your energy reserves. An orthopedic pillow is the best solution for people suffering from any disorders. Products with orthopedic properties can provide comfort, not only for sleeping, but also for traveling (for example, neck pillows).

VIDEO: How to choose an orthopedic pillow.

VIDEO: Orthopedic pillows: which one to choose.