Pillow Wedge | Sleep Wedge

An adjustable sleep wedge or one constructed with layers of dense to softer foam is recommended by healthcare professionals for acid reflux, sleep apnea, snoring, asthma, and back problems. If you have spent the night in a hospital, you probably slept with your head elevated. This position is the most comfortable because it takes the pressure off the lower back and allows your muscles to relax.

The top 5 benefits for using a Sleep Wedge are:
1. They reduce stress on the back and body during sleep.
2. Proper breathing during sleep improves overall health and endurance.
3. They are sturdy, consistent, and reliable through the night for unabstructed breathing - in some cases reduces snoring.
4. When changing positions during sleep, the person does not fully wake up and have to refluff pillows.
5. The patient is more independent and does not have to request help during the night.

There are so many sleep wedge options that a pillow wedge can be used to elevate the upper body (head, throat, and chest) and lower body (leg pillow wedge, knee pillow wedge), for improved circulation and reduction of fluids around the ankles. If the wedge pillows are adjustable, finding the perfect incline to sleep comfortably and through the night is easier.

The most perfect leg pillow wedge is one that is multi-use and adjustable. Sleep better with the Contour Leg Pillow

The benefits of a leg pillow wedge are:

1. Maintains a "pelvic tilt" position that eases pressure and stress on the back muscles, spine, and legs. This is how a pillow wedge helps mom-to-be find a comfortable sleeping position.
2. Maintains side-to-side pelvic alignment and eliminates pressure on hips, knees, ankles and joints.
3. Relaxation of back and shoulder muscles.
4. Using the leg pillow wedge between the legs reduces hip pain for people who prefer sleeping on their side.
5. Relieves leg tension and helps blood circulation for varicose vein suffers using elvated pillow wedge.

The key 5 benefits for using a Knee Pillow Wedge are:

1. Takes pressure off of sore knees and reduces numbness and tingling.
2. Holds and protects the knee.
3. Reduces pressure on the lower back by when the lumbar curve to flattens out.
4. Great treatment for varicose veins and phlebitis.
5. When knees are elevated to a 30 degree angle, joints and muscles relax and rejuvenate during night.

There are two types of knee pillow wedge: (1) under the knee, and (2) between the knees - see leg pillow wedge example. Patients recovering from knee replacement should never use the under the knee pillow wedge, but do use the between the leg pillow wedge to relieve pressure when sleeping on your side.

Take the test: lie on your back in bed and use 2 to 3 regular pillows to elevate your knees 30 degrees. Do you feel immediate back and leg relief? If yes, then you would benefit from sleeping with a knee wedge. The reason doctors and health professionals do not recommend pillows is they shift during bed rest and also become compressed. Over time the pillows do you provide the consistent and continous support most people need.

My family owns several different styles of pillow wedge and sleep wedge. Save on Back Support Products at Contour Living - Low prices on lumbar and chair cushions, back aids and more.

In the beginning I bought flat foam cushions and made my own, but they never quite did the job. The reason is: I did not know how to match the health issue to the proper pillow wedge. For example, snoring is very common. About 50% of adults snore occasionally. Snoring will start up when air passing relaxed throat tissue vibrates with each breath. Many spouses have read pillow wedge reviews and bought a sleep wedge as a gift for the snoring partner! The sleep wedge should allow the person to sleep on his or her side at a gradual elevation. Health professions recommend these lifestyle changes: losing weight, sleeping on your side or avoiding alcohol close to bedtime.

Unless the snoring is caused by a collapsed area of the throat, most snorers and sleep partners will experience a better night's sleep with open air passages. The pillow wedge should be more elevated for a snorer with a gradual incline from lower back to head. The gradual elevation prevents the chin from falling forward and closing throat.

I now have my favorite pillow wedge company; they are the experts in foam technology, have patents on the designs for various medical conditions, and have videos online demonstrating the various pillow wedge solutions.

Contour Living recommends a pillow wedge acid reflux prevention measure as a great addition to anyone's daily life as it may prevent nighttime indigestion caused by alcohol, cigarettes, and spicy foods. The pillow wedge acid reflux prevents stomach acid from flowing into the esophagus during sleep, thus reducing nighttime indigestion, acid reflux.

Experience zero-gravity support with the orthopedically designed Back Max Wedge Lounger.
The key 5 benefits for using a pillow wedge for acid reflux prevention are:

1. Prevents you from lying down flat on your back which allows stomach acids to flow backwards from the stomach into the esophagus.
2. In some cases, reduces need for bronchodilators for asthma which are known for causing acid reflux.
3. May reduce need for sedatives for insomnia or anxiety which are known for causing acid reflux.
4. Not using normal pillows as per doctors' recommendations - your head should be raised about 6 inches by tilting your entire bed, or by using an acid reflux wedge pillow under your upper body.
5. The pillow wedge prevents bending over to eat or take medication in bed.

Health professionals recommend that you use pillow wedge acid reflux prevention measures and avoid the following until your symptoms are under control:

1. Alcohol
2. Caffeine
3. Carbonated beverages
4. Chocolate
5. Peppermint / Spearmint

The pillow wedge for acid indigestion is more elevated. The more the elevation, the more you will need a sleep wedge under the knees and lower legs to prevent you from slipping down in bed. The combination of inclined pillow wedge and leg pillow wedge works the best for relaxation and minimal or no acid reflux.

The memory foam pillow wedge is ideal for suffers of sleep apnea. The sleeping disorder usually requires a device (CPAP) to push air into the lungs.

Sleep better with the Contour CPAP Pillow for Sleep Apnea - Buy it Now at Contour Living

The suffer needs a pillow with cut-outs for the device. Sleep apnea may become a serious sleep disorder because your breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep.

The special pillow wedge for people who sleep with the CPAP devices helps keep the device in place and gives the device a place to rest during sleep.

There are many styles of foam bed wedge. Unless you need to sleep elevated, the combination of a foam mattress topper ergonomically designed to provide extra support to your lumbar region and a Contour Cloud Bed Pillow provide excellent support.

The heart of a good night's sleep is a pillow wedge that gives you the specific support your body requires for extended time in bed, for 6 to 8 hours. Also having the lower lumbar support build into a foam bed wedge means it stays in place if you turn during sleep. Proper support of stressed regions of the back during sleep actually speeds up recovery when condition is minor, such as "sciatica".

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your entire body. It runs from your spinal cord to your buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is a symptom of a problem involving the nerve, such as a herniated disk. Some people use cold packs, hot packs, physical therapy, and acupuncture for relief.

The best sleep posture comes from using a mattress that feels comfortable to you. It is recommended that you use pillows for support, but don't use a pillow that forces your neck up at a severe angle.