Cervical osteochondrosis is a real scourge of the 21st century. We sit with our necks bent in front of our smartphones, we strain our neck muscles at the computer, we lower our heads so that the hood does not fall off. Our neck is under constant tension throughout the day. And in the evening we go to bed on an uncomfortable pillow, putting even more strain on our neck at a time when it should be resting.
Osteochondrosis is a serious disease, because important arteries pass through the neck, which supply blood and oxygen to our brain, as well as nerves and muscles. Pinching of the cervical vertebrae leads to severe headaches, nausea, dizziness and increased blood pressure. In severe cases, the consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be a stroke. The negative consequences of osteochondrosis are especially severe at night, when relaxed neck muscles no longer support the spine.
Our spine should maintain the same natural curves during sleep as during wakefulness. There are 4 such curves in total: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. Only in this case will the back be positioned correctly, which means it will be as relaxed as possible, blood will circulate freely through the vessels, and the body will rest and recover. The optimal solution is an orthopedic mattress, an orthopedic pillow and the correct sleeping position.
Correct sleeping positions
It doesn’t matter whether you suffer from cervical osteochondrosis or want to prevent its occurrence. Sleeping position together with the right bedding is the first thing you can do to help your body. Of course, there is no universal sleeping position - it will depend on the hardness of the mattress, the height of the pillow and other factors, and yet doctors identify several positions that are most favorable:
- On the side. It is important that the shoulder rests not on the pillow, but on the mattress. That is why most orthopedic and anatomical pillows are equipped with subcervical bolsters. In this position, the neck retains its physiological curve.
- In the fetal position, i.e. on the side with half-bent legs. Surprisingly, it is in this position that the spine relaxes best.
- On your back, with your legs bent. This position of the legs relieves tension from the lower back.
Important! The “on the stomach” pose, beloved by many, is contraindicated for any problems with the spine. The head in this position is in an unnatural position, which leads to muscle tension and pressure on blood vessels. It is better to sleep on your side or back.
How to forget about the disease forever?
Proper sleep should not be underestimated when preventing or combating cervical osteochondrosis. However, remember - this is not a panacea for the disease, but only part of comprehensive measures. Disturbance in the functioning of the cervical spine is a serious signal for the body, so treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
Incorrect or complete lack of treatment can lead to the development of intervertebral herniation and deterioration of brain activity. Do not self-medicate - contact qualified specialists.
We offer you professional medical consultation with a neurologist and an individual program aimed at a quick and effective recovery.
Still have questions? Don’t wait for the disease to reach a dead end - call us at: +7 (8552) 78-09-35, +7 (953) 482-66-62.
Features of choosing an orthopedic pillow
Many people believe that orthopedic and anatomical pillows are different names for the same item. In fact, there are differences between them. And the main one is the purpose of use. The anatomical pillow completely follows the contours of the head, neck and shoulder girdle while sleeping on it, making it comfortable for a person to sleep. An orthopedic pillow is designed to fix the head and neck in a certain position that is necessary for you, thereby providing a therapeutic or preventive effect. An orthopedic pillow always has side bolsters for additional head support, as well as a recess under the head to ensure the correct position while sleeping.
When choosing a pillow, it is important to pay attention to its parameters:
Size
It can be anything, the main parameter when choosing is height. As a rule, at least 9 cm. Some manufacturers produce orthopedic pillows up to 16 cm inclusive, especially for broad-shouldered people. For sleeping on your back, a height of 9-10 cm is suitable; for sleeping on your side, the height should be equal to the distance from the end of the shoulder to the base of the neck. If the pillow is too low, the head will fall back. This leads to muscle strain and snoring. A pillow that is too high, on the contrary, leads to a strong bending of the spine and compression of blood vessels.
Rigidity
It also depends on your sleeping position. For those who like to sleep on their back, a medium-hard pillow is suitable, for those who like to sleep on their side, a hard pillow. A real orthopedic pillow cannot be soft - otherwise it will not be able to perform its main function. If you have health problems, choose the firmness of the pillow based on the recommendations of your doctor. If you are buying a pillow for prevention or at your own request, without a purpose, choose an elastic pillow of a comfortable hardness for you.
Form
The most common shape is rectangular, similar in size to regular pillows. A universal pillow with cervical bolsters of different heights (for sleeping on the side and back) would be optimal. Often there are crescent-shaped orthopedic pillows that securely fix the head in one position. The downside of this pillow is that it is only intended for sleeping on the back. Bolster pillows, butterfly pillows and other pillows of unusual shapes are also widely represented on the market and find their buyers.
Filler
The quality, service life, and therapeutic effect of an orthopedic pillow depend on the filler. It’s not easy to understand the huge variety and features of fillers, so we have collected all the necessary information for you to make it easier for you to make your choice.
Types and features of fillers for orthopedic pillows
Polyester
Polyester pillows are quite elastic, have a little spring and retain heat well. Soft balls are often added to the filler, moving under the weight of the head, giving the pillow a comfortable shape. Polyester is an absolutely hypoallergenic material.
Latex
Natural latex is made from the foamed sap of the tropical Hyvea tree, otherwise it is also called the rubber tree. They collect the sap by making cuts on the trunk - a small mug is collected drop by drop from each tree within 24 hours. It’s easy to imagine that the process of collecting sap is much slower than industry needs, which is why natural latex pillows are quite rare and expensive. This is one of the best materials for orthopedic pillows. It is elastic, elastic, allows air to pass through well due to its porous structure and absorbs moisture, serving for many years. The bactericidal properties of natural latex are also highly valued. The cost of pillows made from this unique natural filler is quite high compared to analogues.
Artificial latex is also popular in the manufacture of orthopedic pillows. It is inexpensive, unlike its natural counterpart, but not as durable and elastic. An orthopedic pillow made of artificial latex quickly loses its shape and becomes unusable.
Some manufacturers combine natural and artificial latex in one product to achieve an optimal price-quality ratio.
Polyurethane foam
Pillows made from this filler are able to remember and repeat the desired shape when certain components are added to the filler. The desired effect is achieved due to the cellular structure of the foam and the absence of response pressure. Polyurethane foam or otherwise - foam rubber - is less resilient and elastic in comparison with latex, it is easier to get used to such a pillow. One of the varieties of polyurethane foam pillows is the innovative memory foam pillows. They were developed for use in space to reduce the stress on astronauts during takeoff.
Buckwheat husk
A popular and environmentally friendly filler, also capable of taking the desired shape. Absorbs moisture well and allows air to pass through. Buckwheat husk helps improve the condition of hair and scalp through micromassage and relieves headaches. An additional bonus when using a pillow with buckwheat filling is a pleasant, unobtrusive smell that promotes relaxation and sound sleep.
Cooling gel
An innovative filler that remembers its shape, relaxes the neck muscles well and has a pronounced cooling effect. Thanks to the memory effect, the pillow does not put pressure on the neck and head, while being elastic.
In addition to the main filler, manufacturers of orthopedic pillows may include additional components. For example, pads with mint, lavender and rose petals, aloe vera impregnation, biomagnets and magnetic plates, stones with a healing effect and much more.
The material from which the pillow cover is made is also important. It is optimal for the fabric to allow air to pass through and absorb moisture. Often, orthopedic pillows are placed in special mesh covers, which have a slight massage effect and remain cool for a long time.
When choosing an orthopedic pillow, we recommend paying attention to companies that specialize in their production. In this case, you will purchase not just a piece of foam rubber of the correct shape, but a product made in accordance with all the rules using modern technologies.
Pros and cons of orthopedic pillows
It is always easier to prevent any disease than to treat it.
If we all paid more attention to the prevention of our health, there would be many more healthy people in the world. We are confident that an orthopedic pillow is the best investment you can make in the health of your spine. The main advantage of orthopedic pillows is that they promote the anatomically correct position of the head and neck, and therefore the entire spine, during sleep. From this follow all the other pleasant changes that will not take long to arrive:
- No pinched muscles or nerves;
- Free circulation of blood to the head and back, which means sound sleep, optimal blood pressure, good saturation of the brain with oxygen;
- No load on the spinal column;
- Getting rid of snoring;
- Rejuvenation effect due to improved cell regeneration and correct head position.
There is only one downside to an orthopedic pillow - it is quite hard, and you will be uncomfortable for the first 5-7 days. But within a week you will get used to it, and most importantly, you will notice a difference in the quality of your sleep and overall well-being. Negative reviews about orthopedic pillows are always associated with two factors: the height of the pillow that is not suitable for a particular person (we wrote about the height and how to choose the right pillow above) and sleeping in the wrong position (for example, you cannot sleep on an orthopedic pillow while lying on your stomach , it's just not designed for that).
What should the product be like?
During sleep, the muscles completely relax and do not support the spinal column as during the day. Because of this, people suffering from osteochondrosis may experience pain and discomfort at night, and in the morning there is no feeling of rest. In addition, vertebrae that are not supported by the muscular corset can shift, pinching the arteries that run in the neck and supply the brain.
That is why, with cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carefully approach the issue of organizing a sleeping place, observing the following principles:
- support the natural curves of the spine;
- comfortable support for the vertebrae;
- rigidity and elasticity.
You should choose not an ordinary pillow, but a special pillow with a pronounced anatomical effect.
How much does a good orthopedic pillow cost?
The cost of an orthopedic pillow depends on several factors:
- Material;
- Manufacturer;
- Medicinal properties
You can choose a polyester pillow for 600 rubles due to the low cost of the material.
At the same time, you need to understand that you should not expect a therapeutic effect or a pronounced orthopedic effect from such a pillow. The average cost of a high-quality orthopedic pillow is from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the material and additional components. New items such as pillows with cooling gel cost even more – from 7,000 rubles. A high-quality orthopedic pillow always costs more than a regular one. After all, this is not just a case stuffed with wool, feathers or other filler, but a product that has passed tests and mandatory certification, manufactured using special technology and often using special equipment.
TOP 3 popular manufacturers
- Tempur. A company from Denmark that developed and patented the material of the same name. The pillows are characterized by high quality, good orthopedic properties, belong to the premium class and have an above-average price.
- Ascona. A large Russian company with its own laboratory. Askona specialists develop new models of pillows, conduct tests and put the models into production.
- Ormatek. One of the largest Russian pillow manufacturers. Exports its products to Europe and Asia.
How to understand that you have chosen the right orthopedic pillow
First of all, study the reviews and choose a good manufacturer. Look at certificates of conformity and studies. This will guarantee that the purchased product has passed medical control and is manufactured in compliance with all necessary standards. Next, you should focus on your own feelings:
- In the first few days – usually up to 7 days – you feel uncomfortable. You get used to the new position of your head and neck; the pillow is much harder than you are used to, hence the discomfort. Often people sleep incorrectly on an orthopedic pillow, lying on its edge or side. It is important that your neck rests completely on the bolster.
- After about a week, you notice the first improvements in your well-being - your sleep becomes stronger, morning swelling of the face gradually goes away, and your head hurts less. The orthopedic pillow no longer causes discomfort.
- You wake up truly rested, your neck and back are relaxed after waking up. Thanks to deep and proper sleep, you get enough sleep in fewer hours and have more energy.
We are sure that after reading this article it will be easier for you to make the right choice. You can buy a modern and high-quality orthopedic pillow that will help you avoid osteochondrosis of the cervical spine on our website.
