HLN ShopThe pillow plays a key role in a quality night’s sleep. But you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on that, according to Laurens Habers, physiotherapist and co-partner of Praktijk Corpus in Antwerp. HLN Shop asked him how to recognize the best pillow.
Laurens Habers: “As a physiotherapist I often treat people with back, neck and headache complaints. An important part of that treatment is identifying all possible risk factors for their complaints. The most common are an incorrect working posture, incorrect sleeping posture, stress and physical trauma, such as whiplash.
Do you think you are experiencing pain complaints due to one or more of the above risk factors? In that case, contact a professional in the first place to help you get rid of your complaints.”
What are the consequences of an incorrect sleeping position?
“More often than not, we notice that an incorrect sleeping position causes and maintains pain around the spine. It is therefore important for a physiotherapist to teach the patient a correct sleeping position. There is no such thing as the perfect sleeping position. People differ anatomically too much to prescribe one position that works for everyone.”
“The pillow obviously has an influence on your sleeping position, so it is equally important to check whether you are using a correct pillow. I usually ask my patients when they last slept in a different bed, for example when traveling or visiting friends. Did they have the same pain when they woke up? If it turns out that you had less or no more problems, there is a chance that you are using an incorrect pillow at home.”
Tip: This bamboo pillow in the HLN Shop adapts to every sleeping position (now from 24.95 euros instead of 49.95 euros).
How do you recognize a correct pillow?
“Let’s assume you have the correct sleeping position. For me as a physiotherapist, a good pillow is a pillow that does not provoke complaints or make those complaints worse: you do not get up in the morning with more pain than the day before. According to scientific literature, a pillow should support the natural curvature of your spine.
Wide-shouldered side sleepers usually need a thicker pillow than someone with narrow shoulders. In back sleepers, we check whether the neck shows more or less lordosis (the natural curvature that occurs in your neck and lower back, ed.). Your pillow should accommodate this pronounced lordosis.”
also look at: Here you will find a pillow tailored for back and side sleepers.
Is a good pillow always expensive?
“No, I have patients who were best helped with the cheapest pillows available. In addition, I saw people who only benefited from the more expensive and specialized pillows. Every complaint and every patient is unique, so the solution is usually too. And sometimes you can only come to a solution through a trial-and-error approach.
But don’t let this put you off. We sleep a lot in our lives, so keep looking for that solution if you experience complaints. If you can’t figure it out yourself, let your GP, physiotherapist or sleep specialist guide you…”
No big capital to spend on a new pillow? You hardly have to eat a sandwich less for this copy.
Can a water cushion offer a solution?
“That is possible, but again there are no guarantees here. A water cushion does have different qualities that may help you. Water cushions are pillows that partly consist of a container filled with water. The other part of the cushion can be made of different materials. A water cushion is also usually quite heavy, so it moves less in bed.”
What are the benefits of a water cushion?
“The main advantage is that it would distribute the pressure better. Because water is liquid, it can form better around your head and neck. They are therefore also sometimes used to prevent or cure flattening of the heads in babies.
With some water cushions you choose how much water you put in it. In this way you create, as it were, a cushion that can have different thicknesses, because you fill it with more or less water. For example, stomach sleepers – although we generally advise against that sleeping position – can add less water than side and back sleepers.
As with any suitable pillow, a suitable water pillow will give you a better quality of sleep. You wake up less often, you sleep deeper, and so on. Better sleep quality brings several benefits. Think of a reduced stress level, fewer pain complaints, a more rested feeling… The list of positive effects of a qualitative sleep is almost endless. Seek help as soon as possible if you encounter problems in this area.”
Sleep soundly and dream sweetly? This adjustable water cushion in the HLN Shop combines optimal support with scent experience through aromatherapy.
What should you pay attention to when you buy a water cushion?
“If you already have a preference for a certain material for your pillow, look for a water pillow that has the same qualities and that also supports the qualities of the water. The material must have an insulating effect, so that you are not bothered by the cold water temperature. As with all articles claiming medical benefits, it is important to get information from a specialist. So don’t hesitate to contact your GP or physiotherapist for more information about your specific situation.”
Going for a new (duvet) bed right away?: View all sleeping articles in the HLN Shop here.
The above article was written on behalf of the commercial department of DPG Media and falls outside the editorial responsibility.
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