How to sleep on a pillow with memory. How to use an orthopedic pillow. Comparative characteristics of some species

In a dream, a person spends a third of his life. And the well-being during the day depends on its quality. To avoid headaches and stiffness in the neck muscles in the morning, you need to choose the right accessories for sleeping. An orthopedic pillow is especially important for cervical osteochondrosis. Reviews of those who used such a product indicate an effective reduction in pain and prevention of seizures. does not cure osteochondrosis, but is a necessary adjuvant. The main thing is to choose it correctly.

Features of cervical osteochondrosis

A disease of the spine in this section is very dangerous, as it can cause malfunctions in the functioning of many body systems and even disturbances in the functioning of the brain.

This is because the vertebrae in the neck are very close, and the muscles are rather weak. And even a slight load can lead to displacement and compression of the nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, an orthopedic pillow for the cervical region is so important. After all, it is precisely with an incorrect body position in sleep that can occur. And in the complex of measures aimed at treating this disease, it is very important to ensure maximum muscle relaxation during rest.

How to sleep

When resting, the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back must be relaxed. It is necessary to provide the spine with high-quality support during sleep, especially for the cervical region. An incorrect position of the head during rest contributes to the curvature of the vertebrae, deterioration in the quality of sleep and exacerbation of osteochondrosis. What rules should be followed in order not to feel overwhelmed and tired in the morning?

The bed should be hard and even, you can not sleep on folding beds and armored nets.

It is better to choose a mattress that is elastic, but not soft, which will repeat the anatomical curves of the body. It is not recommended to use down duvets for sleeping.

An orthopedic pillow is best for relaxing.

Resting position for osteochondrosis

It is also very important in what position a person sleeps. All doctors recommend to patients with osteochondrosis only a pose on the side or on the back. Moreover, there are special recommendations in these provisions. For example, when a person lies on his back with his legs stretched out, he cannot fully relax. And in the supine position on your side, you need to choose the right pillow. The best position for a normal rest is In this case, the shoulder rests on the mattress, and a small pillow should be placed under the head.

Doctors do not recommend sleeping on your stomach, especially for those who have problems with it. After all, it is in this position that the neck is tense, there is a high risk of displacement of the vertebrae. Therefore, it is best to sleep on your back or on your side, and a special orthopedic pillow will help you relax normally. With cervical osteochondrosis, the reviews of doctors and patients note the disappearance of pain and an improvement in the quality of sleep.

What should be the pillow

Not only healthy rest, but also well-being and mood during the day depend on the quality of this sleep accessory. And people who already have problems with the spine need an orthopedic pillow. Cervical osteochondrosis is an ailment that affects an increasing number of people and prevents them from sleeping normally. But the right pillow, according to doctors, improves the quality of sleep. When choosing this accessory, you need to pay attention to the following features:

It should be small, and the width should correspond to the size of the shoulders.

At least one hard roller should have an orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis. Reviews of doctors note that it is best that it be rectangular, with two rollers along the edges and a recess in the middle for the head. Although some people prefer to advise their patients on a crescent-shaped pillow.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to individual characteristics. If the pillow causes discomfort and is uncomfortable on it, it is better to refuse it.

What are orthopedic pillows

The crescent-shaped pillow will gently support your neck when sleeping on your back. It should not be very rigid, but it should hold its shape well. This is a fairly common orthopedic pillow. The photo on the package shows how you can use it during sleep, a long trip or when sitting in a chair for a long time. This form effectively helps the neck muscles to relax.

But most often, patients with cervical osteochondrosis choose a rectangular pillow. You can sleep on it on your back and on your side. Such a pillow should have a recess in the middle for the head and hard ridges along the edges. You just need to choose the right height. To do this, measure the width of the shoulder. For an ordinary person, this is 10-12 centimeters.

How to understand that the pillow is chosen correctly

Doctors recommend trying to lie on it before buying. But this is not always possible. And it often happens that people complain that the pillow did not help them, it is uncomfortable to sleep on it, the pain did not go away, it only got worse. Indeed, this happens, and in order to choose a pillow that is really suitable for a particular person, you need to try many options. Some even buy a few pieces and change as needed. For example, it is desirable to have one pillow for sleeping on the back, another for sleeping on the side. At the same time, the shoulders should remain on the mattress, and the roller should support only the neck, contributing to its complete relaxation. How to understand that the pillow is chosen correctly?

During sleep, a person does not put his hand under the pillow.

After resting on such a pillow, you do not want to use the usual one, the sleep is sound, and after waking up, the person feels rested.

If your neck and stoves hurt after sleeping, then the pillow is low and the mattress is too hard.

Headaches in the morning or at night indicate that this sleep accessory is too high.

Fillers for orthopedic pillows

1. Buckwheat husk is a natural product. A pillow with such filling will not only repeat the shape of the head well, but will also produce a massaging effect.

2. Latex is a hypoallergenic material with antiseptic properties. Such orthopedic pillows for cervical osteochondrosis are the most common, as they are elastic and keep their shape well.

3. Another material popular for orthopedic pillows is polyurethane. It passes air well and easily takes on the shape of the body, quickly recovering later.

4. Memory foam pillows can be made from expensive durable foam or cheaper viscolatex. They remember the shape of the body, which allows you to support your head well and relax your neck. This is the most comfortable orthopedic pillow. The photo on the packaging shows how it takes the shape of the body, and straightens out after a while.

5. So far, cooling gel pillows are less popular. Not everyone can get used to such an effect. Although they not only support the head, but also contribute to skin rejuvenation and more comfortable sleep.

Which pillow to choose

There are many different models in stores. In addition to the fact that you need to choose a pillow, focusing on the individual characteristics of the body, most consumers do not know anything about them. And they differ in form, material and price. Many who have already used such an accessory for sleeping believe that buying a pillow for less than three thousand is throwing money away. Really high-quality products cost from 3,500 to 10,000 rubles and more. Moreover, Russian pillows are cheaper, but no less effective. Many doctors recommend using Axona products or those made according to the method of Valentin Dikul. Pillows of various shapes and fillings from any manufacturer can be conditionally classified as follows:

- "Mediflex" - a convex elastic pillow filled with small latex springs, ideally taking the shape of the body.

- "Sissel" - pillows with memory effect. They have a different shape, but mostly with one or two rollers.

Pillows "TOP" are especially popular among doctors and patients. They can be with a memory effect or with a ribbed surface, straight or with two rollers and a recess for the head. This is the best orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis.

Sleep is one of the basic, absolutely natural states of the human body. He does not need to learn or get used to: a newborn baby sleeps 18 hours a day, and does this without a prompt and / or reminder. But what is really worth learning is how to sleep properly. Because in the process of technological development, human civilization has invented many devices, including those for sleeping. Pillows, mattresses and blankets are supposed to improve the quality of sleep, but in reality this is far from always the case. And instead of relaxing and resting, you also have to think about how to sleep on a pillow correctly.

We offer you to solve that problem once and for all, so that you no longer doubt the safety and usefulness of a night's rest. Let's find out how to sleep on a pillow correctly, how to choose a pillow for sleeping, and whether one is needed at all. The importance of these questions is by no means exaggerated, and you will also see this. And if it is true that sleep is health, then sound sleep on the right pillow is good health, good rest and vivacity throughout the day.

How to sleep properly, with or without a pillow? Cushion height
Humans have been falling asleep every day for billions of years. It is not surprising that for such a long time a lot of opinions and stereotypes, true and erroneous, have been formed and strengthened about how to sleep properly. And the need for a pillow is one of the stumbling blocks around which somnologists, orthopedists and bedding manufacturers are enthusiastically arguing. To find out which of them is right, let's first look at some indisputable facts:

In order for the body to relax and rest, during sleep it must be in a physiologically correct position. In such a way that the spine is even in all areas, from the coccyx to the cervical zone.
Arteries supplying the brain pass through the neck. If they are pinched, the brain experiences a lack of oxygen, the transmission of nerve impulses is disrupted.
An excessively high pillow causes the neck to curve upward. A pillow that is too low does not provide sufficient support, and the head is lower than necessary for the correct position of the spine.
If the neck during sleep is not parallel to the mattress and violates the straightness of the spine, the vertebral discs in the interarticular holes are stretched or compressed. As a result, not only the neck hurts in the morning, but in general the person does not feel rested.

Obviously, the complete absence of a pillow is tantamount to a very low pillow, which means it cannot be correct and useful. You have probably heard more than once that a pillow provokes the formation of wrinkles, swelling and creates an additional burden on the internal organs. But this is nothing more than a delusion. Uncomplicated breathing and metabolism are much more important for the body, and they can only be ensured if you sleep properly on a pillow. You can check and see for yourself. Most likely, one restless night and not very good morning after it will be enough to understand that sleeping on a pillow is right and necessary.

How to sleep on a pillow? Your pillow and sleeping position
To improve the quality of sleep and finally get rid of the accumulated lack of sleep, you need to learn how to sleep properly on a pillow and give your body a suitable sleeping position. We have already found out that the back should be even along the entire length. As an example, you can notice the position of your spine when you are standing looking straight ahead. And you can keep your back straight, even lying in bed, if you follow these rules:

First of all, learn to sleep on your stomach. This is the most unfortunate position for an adult, in which the neck arches unnaturally, and the spine is literally twisted. If necessary, lie on your stomach, it is better to remove the pillow or replace it with a folded blanket - in this case, the neck is bent, but at least not raised.
The height of the pillow for sleeping on your side depends on the width of your shoulders. Accordingly, broad-shouldered men should choose thicker pillows, and their more fragile wives should choose thinner ones. This is contrary to the desire to buy the same pillows in a double family bed. But decide what is more important for you: healthy sleep or the unity of interior details.
Ideally, lying on your side, you should not lay your shoulder on the pillow, only your head rests on it. Square pillows of the "old style" are not very suitable for this, it is better to take a rectangular pillow. But, whatever shape and size it may be in your case, place the pillow so that it ends above your stoves. Move it to the head of the bed, fold it in half, etc.
Those who are used to sleeping on their backs need lower pillows than those who sleep mostly on their sides. To avoid the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, choose a pillow on which your head will not be thrown back.
You can't turn your head either. If you read or watch TV in bed before bed with a pillow under your back and head, be sure to lower the pillow to a horizontal position before you fall asleep.

Determining the correct pillow height for yourself is not difficult. First, pay attention to the sensations in the morning. If your neck is “stiff” and you want to stretch it with a few twists and turns, then your pillow is most likely not high enough. The second sign of too low a pillow is an instinctive desire to put a hand under the pillow and / or under the head. So the body itself tells you that it would be nice to choose a thicker pillow.

What is the right pillow to sleep on? Regular and orthopedic pillows
Downy feather beds and feather pillows, in which not only the head, but the whole body is buried almost to the waist, are a thing of the past. They were replaced by new bedding with modern fillings, high-tech coatings and complex “memory” mechanisms. Is it worth putting such a “smart” pillow in your bedroom? How to choose an orthopedic pillow? And in general, do you need an orthopedic pillow or can you do without it? It's up to you to decide, we can only give a few hints to think about:

The design of orthopedic pillows is developed taking into account the position of the body of a sleeping person. In this sense, they are certainly useful, as they help to take the correct posture for rest without strain on the spine.
Since the purpose of a pillow is primarily to support the neck, not the head, a recess in the pillow is a good idea. Most orthopedic pillows have such a recess, and some of them take into account the dimensions of the body and adapt to it.
An ordinary pillow, if it is light and flexible enough, may well replace an orthopedic one. But it should be an oblong pillow, no more than 35-40 cm on the smaller side. Lying on your back, place only your head on the pillow so that the sides are above your shoulders. Lying on your side, place a small section of the pillow under your neck (but not under your shoulder!), And most of it under and above your head.
An intermediate option between orthopedic and traditional pillows is pillows filled with natural substances. Pillows with buckwheat husks, supposedly healing the body, are very popular. In fact, the objective advantage of such a pillow is only that you can adjust its height and density due to the amount of filler. Choose the thickness that suits you by pouring or adding the husk from the pillow.

The desire to buy an orthopedic pillow inexpensively, as well as tempting promotions and discounts in online stores, should not deprive you of common sense. And even more so, do not try to sleep on the wrong pillow just so that the money is not wasted. Remember that both physical health and psychological well-being depend on the right pillow. Do not be lazy and do not be stingy when choosing a pillow, try several options and listen to your feelings.

How to sleep on a pregnancy pillow
As you can see, the bedding market is trying to take into account all the possible wishes of buyers. For example, special pillows for pregnant women have been created. At first glance, this is not even quite a pillow, but a voluminous and soft device that allows a pregnant woman to sit comfortably in bed. But sleeping on a pillow for pregnant women is correct, in order to properly relax and not harm the baby in the womb, you still need to be able to:

The pillow for pregnant women has the form of a crescent or an elongated "banana". When choosing such a pillow and adjusting to it, make sure that its length is enough from the head at least to the knees.
Lying on your side, put part of the pillow under your stomach, and squeeze the bottom edge between your legs. In this position, support for the abdomen is provided, and the leg from above does not press on the lower one. The upper end of the pillow can be put under the neck or hugged with your arms.
In a sitting or half-sitting position, put a pillow under your lower back - this will relieve the load from your back. If you wrap a pillow around your waist, you can nap in this position without fear of numbing your arms or shoulders.
Theoretically, a pillow for pregnant women can be replaced with an ordinary, sufficiently large pillow or a rolled-up blanket, putting them between the legs in the same way. It is important to ensure that the pillow does not allow you to roll over and back in your sleep.
A pregnancy pillow can be filled with silicone balls or holofiber. In fact, the difference between the fillers is only in price and it does not affect the ability to sleep properly on a pillow.

In some families, even husbands try to sleep on a pregnancy pillow and confirm its convenience. After the baby is born, you can not only continue to sleep on the pillow, but also use it while feeding the baby. That, however, does not negate the need to sleep properly on a pillow of any type. Take care of your health and watch it even while you sleep.

Everyone knows that an orthopedic pillow is several times more useful than a regular down, feather, sintepon or silicone pillow. However, many do not dare to purchase it, and some, after the purchase, do not know how to use it correctly. Today we will tell you how to sleep on an orthopedic pillow. Following our advice, your sleep will bring maximum benefit and pleasure to your own health.

How to sleep on an orthopedic pillow? Photo of the correct and convenient location.

Surely, everyone knows that an uncomfortable sleeping position at night usually causes muscle pain (mainly in the neck) and general poor health. As a result, health deteriorates, and even the quality of life. If you try to create the most correct and comfortable conditions for sleeping, an orthopedic pillow by itself will not teach you how to sleep properly. Initially, you need to deal with some points.

First, understand for yourself the fact that the purpose of the pillow is to support the neck, not the head. This rule is the main one, so always follow it.

It is necessary to pay attention to what shape the orthopedic pillow has, since high-quality and good products often have two sides: high and low. To determine the position of the pillow, understand that its main purpose is to ensure the correct position of the neck and head. Only if this condition is met, we can talk about the anatomical, correct position of the human spine, that is, about healthy sleep.

The orthopedic pillow consists of two rollers having different heights. The position of the pillow will depend on the night position of the person. If he sleeps on his back, then a smaller roller should be placed under his head, but if on his side, then a large one. The pillow will fill the free space between the head and shoulder, while the neck will not sag, and the head will not fall or rise.

A few practical tips on which pillow is better to sleep on with cervical osteochondrosis.

For many adults, cervical osteochondrosis is a real "scourge". Often, such a disease manifests itself as a result of improper functioning of the spine, an inactive lifestyle, prolonged sedentary work and certain muscle changes that occur with age. Today's modern medicine offers to effectively and reliably treat cervical osteochondrosis using manual therapy, electrophoresis or hirudotherapy. But, an important role in the treatment of this disease is played by the correct choice of pillow.

Many are interested in the question: "Is it possible to sleep without a pillow with cervical osteochondrosis?". In principle, there are experts who advise sleeping without a pillow, however, they are fundamentally wrong, because it is due to the pillow that the general relaxation of the human body is ensured, since it supports the cervical spine. With this disease, it is best to sleep on a small and soft pillow. Its size should correspond to the size of the sleeper's shoulders, for example, if the shoulders are wide, then the pillow should be selected high. And its width should not exceed the width of the mattress.

An ordinary pillow is not suitable for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, because during sleep, the person’s neck will actually be located on the same level with the head, that is, the vertebrae will be displaced, as a result, cerebral blood supply will be disturbed. Because of this, people suffering from osteochondrosis often wake up in the morning with severe pain in the back and neck, in addition, their tongue and larynx become numb. The shape of the orthopedic pillow in this disease should be rectangular, while the design of the product should include a dense roller. The dimensions of this roller should correspond to the size of the patient's shoulders, they should not be on the edge of the pillow.

The neck on the orthopedic pillow will take the correct position, the spinal muscles will unload, and the blood vessels that go to the brain will not be squeezed. With osteochondrosis, you can use pillows with one roller, with two half-rollers, or with special recesses designed for the neck.

Video. Sleep, but not sleep - an orthopedic pillow will help solve the problem

Why do you need a pillow?

Such a simple explanation is connected with the anatomical structure of a person. If we exclude the pathology of the spine, then in all healthy people the spine has a pronounced bend in the thoracic region. If you lie on your back without a pillow, then the head will be thrown back strongly, which will cause the arteries in the neck to be strongly pinched and blood flow will be disturbed.

When a person sleeps without a pillow on his side, his shoulders and head form an almost right angle. In this case, not only the cervical artery suffers, but also the joints of the spine. So the answer is very simple: A pillow is needed to support the neck while sleeping.

How to sleep correctly: on a pillow or without a pillow?

This question causes numerous disputes of such specialists: dentists, orthopedists and psychologists. And also manufacturers of sleeping accessories join them. But still, most tend to believe that sleeping without a pillow is recommended only for babies. At this age, it is not necessary to support the neck during sleep.

As for adults, sleeping without a pillow is undesirable for the following reasons:

Often people who sleep without a pillow put their hand under their head to get comfortable, and this leads to numbness in the hands. What does it mean if - read here.
If you sleep without a pillow, swelling of the eyelids will be provided in the morning.
Sleeping without a pillow leads to snoring.
Sleepers without a pillow can reward themselves with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
During sleep without a pillow, cerebral circulation is disturbed, which can lead to ischemic stroke.
Sleeping this way can cause sleep apnea, heartburn, and stomach pain.

About that, read here.

Cushion height

The very fact of having a pillow does not guarantee a healthy and high-quality sleep, because the pillow is different. A very important criterion is the height of the pillow.

In order not to miscalculate with height, you need to consider the following points:

The height of the pillow should match the firmness of the mattress. For hard mattresses, you need to choose pillows higher, for soft mattresses - lower.
The height should be oriented to the preferred posture. For those who like to sleep on their side, high pillows are more suitable, and for those who sleep on their back, lower pillows are more suitable.
Buy for the future. It is important to remember the property of many materials to "caking". After a while, the pillow may no longer be quite so high.

On sale you can find pillows height from 6 to 16 cm. Most popular height 10-14 cm. But ideally prop up the pillow individually. The height of the pillow should correspond to the size of the shoulder joint of the person who will use it.

Pillow and sleeping position

It's believed that The best sleeping position is on your back. It is also not critical if a person prefers to sleep on his side. But sleeping on your stomach is a completely unfortunate position, it is better to refuse it. In addition, sleep may not always be in a supine position, and for this there are special pillows.

The following recommendations will help to improve significantly in this matter:

Side sleepers should make sure their pillow height is correct. It should be equal to the length of the shoulder joint.
For those who sleep on their side, pregnant women have come up with special pillows.
Although sleeping on your stomach is not recommended, but if the choice fell on this pose, then you definitely need to choose the softest options.
A pillow for sleeping on your back should be comfortable and ergonomic.
If you have to sleep sitting(during a break at work), it is good to use special office pillows made of latex and polyurethane. Their size should correspond to the height of the chair and table.
And if the dream catches in transport, then for such cases there are travel pillows. In appearance, they look like a horseshoe. While sleeping while sitting, the head relaxes and the spine experiences a load from this weight, so it’s better not to torture yourself and stock up on special pillows.

Which is better: regular or orthopedic pillow?

If there are no obvious problems with the spine, then it seems that this issue is left to personal discretion. Nowadays, many manufacturers take a responsible approach to the production of both conventional and orthopedic pillows. There is a wide variety of them in form and filler. Whatever the pillow, it is important that it is in service, and not critically in need of replacement due to wear and tear and old age.

What is an orthopedic pillow for?

When a person sleeps on an ordinary pillow, the spine can take an unnatural position. In turn, the orthopedic pillow performs therapeutic and prophylactic functions. Experts strongly recommend such pillows for the treatment of various diseases of the spine.

Correctly selected orthopedic pillow:

Helps reduce stress on muscles and joints
Relieves pain in the shoulder girdle and other departments;
Makes sleep sweet, strong and healthy.

Varieties of orthopedic pillows

By appointment, orthopedic pillows can be divided into:

Cervical. It is designed to relax the muscles of the neck, thereby relieving headaches and snoring.
Neck (resembles a horseshoe). Such pillows are office and travel. wedge-shaped. Most often, such pillows are used by pregnant women to support the abdomen and back.
Lumbar. It is necessary to maintain posture for those who spend a lot of time driving a car or in front of a computer monitor.
Foot. Its task is to support the spine, pelvis, knees at the right angle. This pillow is great for relieving muscle tension.

By form:

Rectangular;
Two-roll wave;
With notch for shoulder;
Roller crescent.

According to the pillow filler there are:

Latex. They are natural and synthetic. Natural latex quickly returns to its original shape. They don't harbor dust mites. They are easy to wash. But on such pillows the body sweats.
Polyester. This filler consists of many small balls. During sleep, they diverge in different directions, adjusting to the shape of the body. And if you shake the pillow in the morning, it will take on its original shape. These pillows are also easy to wash. And you can also adjust the height of the pillow, if you pour a few balls. The difficulty can only be finding a pillow of a suitable shape, and you will also need to get used to sleeping on it.
From buckwheat husks. This is a natural material. For the first time after purchase, the pillow will emit the aroma of buckwheat. The husk has excellent orthopedic properties. But the downside is that it cannot be washed.
Made from viscoelastic foam. This is the most expensive filler of orthopedic pillows. They don't have pests. This foam provides the perfect “memory effect”. The material has a comfortable temperature regardless of the temperature in the room.
Gel. This is a fairly new filler. Very comfortable. Pillows made of this material are even suitable for sleeping on your stomach.

How to sleep on a pregnancy pillow?

The unusual shape of pregnancy pillows can cause genuine bewilderment in women.

In order not to learn from your own mistakes, you can consider useful recommendations:

It is necessary to make sure that the selected pillow is resilient and elastic. To do this, before going to bed, you need to twist and twist it well.
You can use it not only at night, but also during the day - you need to put it under your back. This will relax tense muscles and joints.
You need to talk about your pillow with the gynecologist leading the pregnancy. The doctor can tell you which sleeping position is better to choose for a certain period.
Experiments are indispensable. The pregnancy pillow needs to be rotated and moved until the woman's body is as comfortable as possible.
This pillow will come in handy even after the baby is born. During feedings, you need to wrap the pillow around the mother's body. One edge should be under the back, and the second on top of the knees. So the spine will receive the necessary support, unload, and the cervical and shoulder sections will rest.

How to sleep with pain in the spine?

If a person experiences back pain, then in such cases experts recommend sleeping on the affected side. In this case, one leg should be straight, and the second bent at the knee. One hand can be placed under the pillow, and the other extended along the body or on the bed.

In most cases, an orthopedic mattress and pillow, as well as the correct posture, can reduce the frequency and intensity of back pain, however, no one has canceled visits to doctors!

In the wake of the struggle for quality sleep, you can get confused when choosing a pillow.

These tips will help:

You need to buy this element in specialized salons, stores or pharmacies.
You need to carefully study the packaging. It should be clearly marked with information about the filler.
Before buying it would be nice to lie on it a little to see if it really fits.
Height and size should correspond to the age and proportions of the body. Do not buy the same pillows for all family members.
It is important to inspect the pillow cover. The fabric should be such that the filler does not wake up through it, but at the same time it must allow air to pass through.
You need to make sure the quality of the seams. They must be strong and small. To make sure their elasticity, you need to slightly pull the seam.
The pillow should match your favorite position.
Do not buy too cheap pillows because they are not durable and do not meet the declared characteristics.

Choosing a pillow is a very important task, as a person spends a third of his life in sleep. A person uses pillows not for fun, but this is a necessity, which is dictated by the special structure of the human body. Fortunately, among a large assortment, everyone can choose a pillow according to their taste and financial capabilities!