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The orthopedic pillow is a specially profiled pillow, the task of which is to ensure the correct positioning of the spine. Another name for it is a profiled pillow, you can also find terms such as a Swedish pillow or a medical pillow. Depending on their purpose, orthopedic pillows are divided into two types: for sleeping and for sitting. An additional, separate category are orthopedic pillows for babies.
Choosing the right orthopedic pillow for us is a very important matter on which our health will depend, however, the choice is not made easier by the wide range of this type of products on the market. First of all, it is worth buying the pillow in a place we trust, i.e. preferably in a store with medical products. This will ensure that we will have a guarantee that we have purchased a high-quality product that also has the appropriate and necessary approvals.
In addition, the seller himself can help us in choosing, who in this type of stores often has the appropriate knowledge and education, thanks to which he can help in choosing the right product. You should also bear in mind the fact how long we will use the pillow. It is best to replace it every 2-3 years.
We must remember that often in various types of ordinary stores we can find pillows that resemble orthopedic pillows, but are not. They do not fulfill their orthopedic functions, and due to their low price, it is easy to make a mistake.
See also: A pillow that will help you sleep well. Which pillow fillings are the best?
Orthopedic pillow – types
The orthopedic sleeping pillow is designed to provide the cervical spine in a neutral position, allowing it to maintain its natural curvature (cervical lordosis) in order to allow the spine to rest in an optimal position. In addition, it relaxes the muscles and improves circulation in the cervical region.
The orthopedic pillow is recommended primarily to people who feel pain or stiffness in the cervical spine. It can also be used prophylactically to prevent excessive tension build-up and drainage of the discs. When choosing a pillow, you should take into account the position in which the person who will use it sleeps and rests most often.
- Sleeping on your side – if you sleep and rest on your side most often, an orthopedic pillow with additional roller-shaped profiling is recommended. It perfectly fills the space between the spine and the shoulder, keeping the head in a neutral position.
- Sleeping on your back – if you sleep on your back, the orthopedic pillow should be lower and with an additional notch in the profiling, which will allow the head to be stable in one position.
- Sleeping on your stomach – people sleeping on the stomach should reach for a flat pillow, preferably in the shape of a star.
In order to choose an orthopedic pillow correctly, it is worth paying attention to the type of material used in its production. Most often it will be polyurethane elastic foam or thermoplastic foam. These materials are characterized by great support for the neck and head, and additionally they do not deform.
The very choice between the materials, however, depends on our individual preferences. Polyurethane foam has ventilation properties, maintains elasticity, provides firm support for the head, but it may not suit people with sensitive face or neck, and its purchase may be due to its low price.
On the other hand, the thermoplastic foam has properties that allow it to evenly distribute the pressure force and optimally support the neck, it also deforms, which helps it to better fit our body, unfortunately it is much more expensive than its predecessor. Both materials ensure a comfortable rest, eliminate shoulder tension and take care of the health of the spine.
Choosing the right pillow for us is very important, because only when it is properly selected will it work effectively. Only a well-fitted orthopedic pillow, when used regularly, has a healing effect on our body and can positively affect our well-being.
If the orthopedic pillow is wrongly selected, then not only will it not heal, but it can also increase the pain we feel in the cervical spine. If there was a situation in which we decided to use an orthopedic pillow, we started using it regularly, but instead of the desired relief, we feel back pain, it may mean that the pillow is not adapted to our individual needs, it may have the wrong shape, wrong size and, consequently, harm instead of helping.
Also check: Headaches due to changes in the neck and nape
In addition to buying an orthopedic pillow, it is also worth considering the purchase of an acupressure kit, which includes a mat and a pillow. It is an ideal solution for people who want to relieve pain and tension in the muscles.
The most important and basic task of an orthopedic pillow is to provide proper support for the neck and shoulders, as well as to achieve the correct, anatomical position during sleep. A well-chosen orthopedic pillow relieves and relaxes our neck and nape muscles, as well as gently stretches the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The correct positioning of the body during sleep affects the better condition of our spine, but also a better, more valuable rest.
People who use orthopedic pillows are provided with exceptional comfort and convenience, although it may be difficult to get used to their new, unusual shape. Sleeping on an orthopedic pillow allows you to relieve tension, and our sleep is deep, more relaxing and healthier, which has an impact on our functioning during the day. All of this improves concentration, increases resistance to stress, and improves our overall performance.
The orthopedic pillow works especially well for people suffering from:
- back pain syndromes;
- spinal overload syndromes;
- tension discopathies;
- migraine headaches;
- sleep disturbance;
- sleep apnea;
- neck pain;
- Headache;
- snore.
Find out: What are the causes of left neck pain?
Orthopedic pillow for sitting
The orthopedic seat cushion is designed to maintain the correct body position, while ensuring the comfort of users. Recommended especially for supporting treatment after injuries and surgeries. It relieves the lumbar spine and helps, among other things, in the rehabilitation of discopathy and sciatica. You can put it on a chair, stool or armchair that you use every day.
Its advantages include: strengthening the back and abdominal muscles; gentle stimulation of the movement of the intervertebral discs, which reduce pressure on the spinal cord; preventing unnatural bends of the spine, as well as its overload.
The orthopedic seat cushions may have the shape of a circle or a crescent. Among them we can distinguish:
- sensorimotor pillows – round with rubber insets that will be useful during exercises;
- lumbar pillows – they are used to fill the space between the back and the backrest of the chair, thanks to which they properly support the lower part of our back;
- seat cushions – they are wedge-shaped, they force the physiological curve of the spine in the lumbar part;
- seat cushion with a hole – especially recommended for people with pain in the buttocks and anus area.
we recommend: A healthy spine – structure, causes of pain, prevention, exercises
Orthopedic pillows for babies are a separate type of pillows. Their aim is to prevent and normalize head postural deformities by neutralizing point pressure. This type of pillow also helps to restore the correct shape of the head, if it has already flattened.
Orthopedic pillows have excellent opinions among doctors, so it is worth reaching for them not only when you already have back problems, but also prophylactically – to prevent their possible occurrence. If the orthopedic pillow is to be used by a person with skin or allergy problems, including an infant or a child, it is important that it is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
The price of a good orthopedic pillow ranges from PLN 100 to PLN 250. Its cost depends primarily on the material from which it is made, as well as the profiling. Due to the smaller size, the price of an orthopedic pillow for babies is lower – it ranges from 70 to 150 zlotys.
At Medonet Market you can order the Traditional orthopedic pillow made of thermoforming Exclusive Dream foam or the profiled orthopedic pillow with the Exclusive Dream microfiber pillowcase.