The pillow is not a simple rectangle of fabric stuffed with soft material, but a real companion, which supports the head more or less generously for about a third of life.
The pillow, like the net and the mattress, is in fact a decisive element for the quality of sleep.
The most important features are certainly the right height and an adequate consistency, elements that are fundamental for its optimal comfort.
When sleeping, the entire spine should be in a natural and relaxed position, starting right from the cervical tract. The width of the pillow, first of all, should be about one meter, so as to adapt to the width of the shoulders and prevent the head from slipping to one side during the night.
Height is also essential. If we imagine sleeping in a supine position (belly up), we realize how a pillow that is too low or absent forces the neck to accentuate its curvature (lordosis), to compensate for the dorsal one (kyphosis). It is as if from the sitting position from which you are reading this article you let the head fall back slightly, forcing it to an unnatural position. The result of this forced attitude is the nocturnal stiffening of the muscles that support the head, with the consequent appearance of pain in the neck and shoulders after waking up. In the same way, a pillow that is too high would force the entire column and the musculature that supports it to an unnatural position that, kept so long (about a third of our day), could cause many problems upon awakening. We notice the annoyances caused by this wrong attitude when we drive for a long time with the head bent forward: the column is not in the correct position and the neck muscles stiffen.
If we sleep on the side on a pillow that is too high or too low, the column loses its linearity again. It is as if we were for a long time with the neck bent to the left or to the right, the sensation could also be pleasant in the immediate, but certainly not in the long run.
The height of the pillow is therefore a very important parameter, closely related to its consistency. If the pillow is too soft, the neck "sinks" into it, while if it is too rigid the problem turns upside down. In both cases the cervical tract of the spine is forced to maintain an unnatural position, which the musculature tries to compensate for, thus constituting a potential source of pain.
The choice of material is also very important. For example, asthmatics and allergy sufferers should approach with caution the classic pillows stuffed with goose feathers, rather comfortable but not washable and easily colonized by mites.
Those in foam rubber are more hygienic, so useful for those suffering from allergic rhinitis; too hot in summer, in some cases they can however cause problems of various nature to the neck because of their greater rigidity.
A good compromise between comfort and hygiene is represented by latex cushions, because they are washable and anti-mite; even in this case, however, they may be excessively rigid for those suffering from cervical pain.
On the market we also find "new age" pillows, like the so-called "aqua", which adapt to the shape of the head when it changes position, those that give off relaxing / stimulating essences or those associated with particular stones, such as amethyst, with the purpose of making dreams more vivid and clear.
Microfibre cushions are probably the most modern and comfortable solution. Thanks to the particular braiding of the meshes, they allow the redistribution of the weights so that it adapts to the natural curvature of the cervical region. The system is similar to that of the latex mattress which, if well studied, lowers at the pressure points to follow the shape of the head and neck. In some cases these fibers are equipped with the so-called "permanent anti-mite system". These are synthetic materials specifically designed to repel dust mites, giving more hygienic and restful sleep to those suffering from allergic problems.
But the most advanced cushions are those equipped with the so-called "memory foam" system. Thanks to specially designed gels or to particular latex foams, they are able not only to adapt to the shape of the head and the neck of the user using the heat that this emanates, but even to memorize it for a few seconds. When you turn during sleep, the "memory" is lost within a few seconds and the pillow immediately adapts to the new position. It is therefore not the head and the neck that adapt to the pillow, but vice versa.
Natural and organic pillows are also very popular, made with chaff or cereal grains (usually buckwheat which, to tell the truth, is not a cereal even though it is commonly included in the category). The presence of biological material contributes to making the pillow enveloping and restful, very cool in summer.
There is therefore no ideal and universal product that is good for everyone, the preference of one type rather than another is entirely personal. In general, based on the products currently available, the best pillow is the one that has the following characteristics: easily washable and hypoallergenic, breathable, with a permanent anti-mite system and made of a shape memory material.
So, in broad terms, a "standard" cushion should be about a meter wide for a height that varies from 10 to 20 cm. Furthermore, individual preferences and sensations should not be underestimated, either in the short term, but above all in the long term. To prevent it from turning into a receptacle of germs and dirt, it is good to aerate it every day, preferably not exposing it to direct sunlight; it is also important to wash it whenever possible and use replaceable cotton covers. The average duration, depending on use and wear, is 2-5 years.
Memory foam pillows online
Online there is a pair of memory foam cushions with Aloe Vera lining, efficient in accepting the weight of the garment in a progressive manner, in following each movement without compressing and in returning to their original shape gradually and constantly. They also ensure an anatomically correct position, minimizing pressure points and promoting blood and lymphatic flow.
The Aloe Vera lining is anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and regenerative, strengthens the immune system and regenerates the tissues respecting the natural rhythm of cell development.
Thanks to the high quality raw materials, the cushions maintain their characteristics over time.
Available online
Alternatively, you can choose the Bio memory foam pillow model soap bar, 12 cm high and equipped with a Memory Bio side and another Super Soft, which allows double use. Designed to guarantee excellence in terms of ergonomics and support, in fact, this cushion allows everyone the opportunity to choose the ideal side on which to sleep according to their needs and resting preferences: the Memory Bio side, with its capacity to adapt to the weight and pressure of the head and neck, it is ideal for avoiding unpleasant cervical pains. The Super Soft side, flexible and soft (but also durable and durable), ensures unprecedented softness and uniform distribution of pressure loads. The holes applied on the product, then, offer an extraordinary breathability, freshness and air circulation.
Orthopedic pillows and special pillows
The so-called "roll" pillow is one of the most used in the presence of cervical osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of pain in this delicate body area. It should be positioned under the normal lordotic curve of the neck, so as to keep the cervical vertebrae in slight traction and, thanks to the possible presence of lateral elevations, avoid unwanted movements of the head. The same "structural" scheme is common to many other types of shaped pillows, always useful in the presence of cervical pains and to be used strictly in the supine position. Some of these help to support the head correctly, preventing the latter from taking up incorrect positions even while resting on its side.
A normal pillow to place under the knees helps to reduce the lumbar lordosis of the spine and can therefore be useful for those suffering from low back pain.
Always to be placed under the legs, there are also special cushions, the so-called elevator cushions, for those suffering from circulatory problems, particularly common in the female sex. Much higher than traditional pillows, they facilitate venous return to the heart and are therefore useful in the case of tired and swollen legs, varicose veins, water retention, cramps in the calves and during pregnancy.
A second category of cushions, united by the wedge shape, has been studied and reproduced to keep the shoulders and chest raised during rest. This type of pillow is an excellent choice for those suffering from dorsal hypercyphosis (the so-called "hump") or respiratory disorders, such as asthma, sleep apnea and snoring (snoring); the slight anterior flexion of the bust facilitates the breathing action.
There are also cushions dedicated exclusively to women and in particular new mothers and those suffering from premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea or mastopathies. Shaped on the chest, with two cavities in correspondence to the breasts, it allows you to sleep on your stomach without painful compressions.
Also for pregnant women there are special pillows, which must be passed under the belly and between the legs, so as to sleep on one side avoiding dangerous pressure on the belly.
In any case, the choice of an orthopedic or special pillow must always be made in relation to individual characteristics, which can make it contraindicated in one case, useful in another or vice versa. For this reason the preventive consultation with a specialist is very important.
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