Summary: With sleep being the best form of rest, most of us find ourselves tossing and turning for comfort or a better sleeping position. The early morning, slipping out of bed with a stiff back sore at the lower lumbar area, tell us that we have to do something about it.
The body is a very sensitive system that can easily become fatigued and pained when too much tension and pressure builds up as a result of improper support. Because of lifestyles, diets, and the cumulative effect of hours in the office chair or even in bed, lumbar, neck, and spinal problems can occur. One of the best ways to treat and prevent these conditions is through the use of a support pillow. There are plenty to choose from, depending on your needs.
Lumbar support
One of the basic support cushions available in the market today are the lumbar pillows. These are usually designed in a wedge shape that will fit into the empty space between your back and the backrest of your office chair, couch, or car seat. Lumbar support helps to push in the lumbar section of the spine, which in turn returns the body to a normal sitting position. You might think that you sit well, but prolonged sitting can lead to slouching. Keep in mind that it will only take a few millimeters of spinal misalignment for pressure to build up – which is why spinal problems and lower back pains affect as many as a third of all of legal age.
Neck support
Another of the commonly abused parts of the body is the neck. According to studies, sitting in front of a computer monitor does not only affect the back and the eyes, but also the neck. If you have ever found your neck inching its way forward after hours of typing, you are not alone. Most people will lower their heads closer to the monitor after some time. Eventually, this will lead to the loss of the natural support pillow for sitting, which can result in excess pressure around the upper body, the neck, and the shoulders. Try the Inflatable Travel Pillow Neck Rest Support Cushion which is light and portable, but will provide excellent support for your neck.
Sleep support
If you think that softness is all there is to pillows, think again. According to studies, most people do not actually sleep with support. This means that your body’s natural contours are not kept in place as you sleep – especially if you only use flat pillows. The neck, for instance, requires a support cushion that will fit into the contours of the neck at all times. The Tri-Core pregnancy pillow sleeping is specially formulated to work well with people who sleep on their side or on their back. The neck vertebra is supported with firm and comfortable cushioning filled with anti-microbial fibers that ensure a good night’s sleep.
Maternity support
During pregnancy, sleeping can be a problem because of your tummy. One of the best ways to provide support for pregnant mothers is through the use of full body maternity pillows such as the Basic Comfort Body Pillow which is designed with a hook shape that will allow pregnant women to lie comfortably on their sides, while keeping the tummy and baby fully supported in soft, hypoallergenic foaming. After pregnancy, the hook shape also allows the baby to lie close to the mother during breastfeeding.
Pillows for different body parts
Pillows are an inexpensive, unique way to cradle the neck and provide support when sitting or lying down. They restore the natural curve of the neck which can be affected by routine activities such as sleeping in an odd position, typing on a keyboard, staring at a computer screen, or not sitting with proper posture. Memory super king foam mattress also provide the support needed to keep the spine in line. Neck support pillows are most commonly used when lying down at night, allowing the user to get a better night’s rest and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated. They are also often used in conjunction with an office chair, to provide the support necessary for sitting multiple hours a day. Another common place you will find people using a neck support pillow is when traveling, a great idea for those that will be spending hours on a plane and would like something comfortable to lean back on. They are also used to help treat people with sleep apnea, insomnia, and migraines.
Orthopaedic pillows
Orthopaedic pillows can be placed behind the back to assist posture, reduce back pain and prevent future back challenges. They can be foam wedges or inflatable and are designed to conform to the natural curve of the spine. Some have found great benefit in placing the lumbar support pillow behind the neck in order to take some of the pressure off of the lower back. The pillow relieves the lower back from carrying the weight of upper back muscles. It hugs the spine and fills the natural gaps between the inward curve of your back and the chair when you are sitting.
U-shaped Pillows
U-shaped Pillows come in a variety of styles and shapes, each designed to provide a specific type of support to the back. These types of pillows are generally firm, because they need to be able to provide support to the back without becoming compressed or flattened. Because lower back pain is so common, many people make daily use of a lumbar support pillow. These types of pillows are often rectangular, wedge or U-shaped, and are used when sitting to help the spine maintain its natural curvature and alignment. Because they encourage the body to maintain its proper posture, they can help reduce the back tension and pain that is often caused by sitting for long periods. Some people also experience additional relief by using a lumbar support pillow while sleeping.
Because the pillow will receive plenty of use, it can be helpful if it includes a removable and washable cover. Elastic straps that can be used to secure it to a chair or seat are also very handy and practical. With so many back support pillows to choose from, there’s sure to be one that will suit your purpose!
