There is a very interesting and practical thing – a neck pillow. For those who like long car trips, this product is an irreplaceable find. But you don’t have to be a truck driver to afford such a purchase. Office workers, whose day passes in a cramped office at a desk, buy this product one after another. And for good reason. After all, a pillow designed for the neck allows you to reduce fatigue three times. In addition, there are special medical products that are prescribed by a doctor. If you do not have such a wonderful accessory yet, we advise you to read this article in detail.
Content
What kind of pillows are available for sale?
Different pillows produced for the neck serve to satisfy different needs. For example, one person needs to buy a convenient accessory for a long trip by car or bus. Another will definitely need to ensure a comfortable sleep. And for a third, even: the doctor prescribed therapy with an orthopedic pillow. To ensure that the needs of all three cases are met, different products are sold.
Here are the criteria by which cervical headboards are distinguished.
- By purpose. There are orthopedic, hiking and regular neck pillows.
Types of orthopedic pillows by purpose - By form. The purpose of the product, as well as the nature of its application, determines the form.
Types of orthopedic pillows by shape - By the material of the shell. Sewing of products can be made from both natural and synthetic fabrics. Here the material is also determined by the purpose and nature of use.
Pillow covers can be made of different fabrics depending on their purpose. - By filler material. This parameter is the most important, as it sets a specific purpose for the product.
Orthopedic pillow fillers - By the design of the outer shell. Various colors and additional decorations of the product can successfully harmonize with the high functionality of the orthopedic product. The color can also be matched to the interior design of the apartment.
Bright children's orthopedic pillows in a marine style - By shape. For children, different shapes of bedding play a big role. Neck pillows stylized as Disney cartoon characters, different animals, find a good use.
How have pillow products proven themselves? There are several answers:
- ease of use;
- compactness for travel;
- practicality;
- preventive and therapeutic properties.
Taking such a horseshoe pillow with you on a long trip, you can happily spend the entire time of the trip: from pleasant preparations for vacation to the long journey home.
For people who do mental work, who spend the whole day at their desks and in the evenings do not disdain to read fiction in the home atmosphere, an orthopedic horseshoe pillow for the neck is the only salvation from impending osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Here are the types of products sold in specialized stores.
- Classic rectangular (square) shape.
- The shape of a roller or bone.
- Neck collar (the horseshoe mentioned above).
- In the form of a car seat belt (manufacturer "TravelRest").
- In shape, reminiscent of the Russian letter "G" (manufacturer: "J Pillow").
Each type of form is used in different situations. The cost of each individual type largely depends on the material of the filler, which will be discussed in detail in the next section.
What kind of filling is used for pillows?
To meet every need and adapt to the physiology of each person, neck pillows are produced by manufacturers with natural fillers and synthetics.
Well-known goose down and feathers have long since faded into the background, thanks to the use of modern synthetic substitutes. In all the main parameters, such fillers are many times superior to Soviet pillows.
Synthetic fillings include:
- comforel;
- polystyrene foam;
- synthetic padding;
- holofiber;
- gel base;
- foamed polyurethane foam.
Comforel, like holofiber, is used to prevent cervical spine in small children. Due to the hypoallergenic filler and the absence of contraindications for use for newborns, this bedding has gained great popularity.
Due to similar characteristics, sintepon is used as a filler for children's pillows. It does not cause allergic reactions, and, like comforel and holofiber, it tolerates washing well.
Polystyrene foam is an elastic filler suitable for orthopedic purposes. The high degree of preservation of the original shape allowed to maximize the therapeutic effect on a person. Polystyrene foam is used to make an anti-stress pillow, which is filled with small balls that provide a massage effect for the neck.
An innovation among orthopedic accessories for the cervical spine are pillows with helium filling. This material is somewhat denser than water, so it is ideal for medicinal products. An additional advantage is its low thermal conductivity, and as a result, in the summer you get coolness. But such a filler inevitably affects the price.
Foamed polyurethane foam has a soft structure. This affects further behavior: the product receives anatomical memory, since the return to the original shape occurs at a low speed. Polyurethane foam does not absorb water and foreign odors, so washing is not necessary here. For orthopedic purposes, such a filler is an excellent find.
Air pillows for the neck are often used for tourism purposes. The top of the accessory is made of synthetics. Inside, there is a cavity that is filled with air. This type is convenient to use for flights, since you are in the air for a relatively short time, and there is not much extra space in the bag.
Natural fillers
An orthopedic pillow made of natural filler is a much more interesting accessory than synthetics. This can be explained as follows: natural, natural components are diverse in their:
- structure;
- origin;
- effective and medicinal properties.
Here is what kind of filler is used for different orthopedic bedding accessories made from natural fibers.
- Cotton and silk.
- Bamboo reed and seaweed.
- Horse hair and animal wool (sheep in particular).
- Latex base.
- Natural herbs.
Each filler has its own unique and interesting properties. This list is able to satisfy the most unusual human whims. For example, forest herbs, pre-dried, have an excellent healing effect, thanks to the extracts emitted. And buckwheat husks cope with massage tasks perfectly. Of course, the service life of such a "medicine" is limited, because it cannot be washed. But the joy from using it will be extremely high.
Of all the listed fillers, only latex and, to a lesser extent, bamboo fiber are suitable for an elastic orthopedic pillow.
The latex base is obtained by processing plant juice. Therefore, this component is environmentally friendly and safe. In addition, due to heat treatment during the production process, the consistency is completely disinfected. The result is a hypoallergenic material that is resistant to external moisture.
The advantages of latex, compared to other natural additives, are:
- easy to care for (machine washable);
- elastic base, ideal for orthopedic purposes;
- anatomical memory;
- durability.
Other fillers (animal wool, horse hair, buckwheat, etc.) are used in individual cases when it is necessary to achieve a certain therapeutic effect.
How to choose a pillow?
When you come to a pastel textile store, you can’t just buy the first model you see. If we’re talking about orthopedic accessories, you should definitely consider the following parameters:
- individual physiological characteristics;
- distance from shoulders to head;
The width of the shoulder from the lateral surface of the neck to the shoulder joint itself is the distance that shows the height of the orthopedic cushion for sleeping on the side - purpose of the accessory;
- expected time of use.
The most important indicator is the purpose. For example, a bolster pillow or a standard orthopedic product is ideal for everyday sleep. These two types promote good sleep on:
- side;
- back;
- stomach.
But the horseshoe is suitable only for sleeping on the back, as well as for long trips. Some models are equipped with an additional pocket for a portable player. And the presence of straps allows you to fix the size of the accessory for each person.
Each person has individual parameters, so the thickness of the produced pads of one model has several variations. The standard indicator is 10 centimeters. Almost any size can be selected by individual order.
Making a pillow with your own hands
To make an orthopedic pillow with your own hands, you will need:
- two pieces of cotton or fleece fabric (or synthetics), measuring 50*50 centimeters;
- threads, needles, pins and a thimble;
- filling material (old fabric scraps, grass, buckwheat, etc.);
- scissors, cardboard or paper;
- pencil.
Using cardboard and a pencil, you need to make patterns (stencils). After applying the shape on a sheet of cardboard, cutouts are made with scissors. Then, according to these patterns, pieces of fabric are cut off with a reserve (allowance) for sewing.
After cutting the fabric, the resulting parts are folded face to face and sewn together. On one side, you need to leave an unsewn edge of 5-7 centimeters. After sewing, the shell should be turned right side out.
As you may have guessed, the remaining unstitched gap is filled with filler, after which the product is stitched up completely.
Make your own baby pillow for your child. Use colorful fabrics and threads, as well as decorative elements. Your child will be pleased.
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