Let’s Talk Pillows
How we prescribe the right pillow.
At Happy Healthy Grateful are always being asked what is the best type of pillow and how we prescribe and fit the perfect pillow . The type of pillow that you will be prescribe will generally depend on what position you sleeps in your age and your size. Generally there are only two positions that are recommend for sleep.
The first and most recommended is side sleeping.
The way we measure the right height pillow is to have you lie on their side and to make sure the spine is in perfect alignment. The pillow must not cause the neck to tilt too much upwards or downwards and should allow for minimal pressure being exerted on the spine, neck and shoulder muscles.
The main two primary factors we look at when prescribing a pillow are:
1) The broadness of the shoulders ie frame size of person.
2) The softness of the bed. If bed is very soft then shoulders will sink in and a lower pillow will be required. If bed is very firm then shoulders will not press into the bed so much and a higher pillow may be required to support the neck.
The second accepted position for sleeping is on the back.
If purely a back sleeper then a lower pillow or the low end of the pillow is the right way to go. You will just need something that supports the curvature of your neck to perfectly align the curve. The softness of the mattress plays a small part in deciding a back sleeping pillow but not as much as for side sleepers.
Back and Side Sleepers.
If you are a back and side sleeper then we recommend finding a pillow that fits for side sleeping but is of a softer density so that when you roll onto your back the pillow will not cause undue pressure to your neck.
Tummy Sleepers
Many people do sleep on their tummy but the consensus is that this should be avoided as it will place unnecessary pressure on the lower back during rest. There will also be undue strain on the neck which may cause damage over the medium to longer term. Turn your head to the right and keep it there for 6-8 hours and see what happens! EEEK!
Some Other Hints
Other important factors we consider are if there are any other conditions either pre existing or preventative that need to be factored in. Also the length of time you are in bed is factored in when prescribing a pillow as other supports may be required.
Most importantly whichever pillow we prescribe must hold its shape during the night so as to give you the support that you are after for the whole night. For this it is recommended that pillows should have a good density (weight) to them to make sure they last the distance required.
We hope you find this information helpful and if you have any other questions we are here to help. Ask us for a free pillow consultation today!