What are wedge pillows and do they really work? In a word- yes! A wedge pillow can help with several common health and sleep problems: Acid reflux, heartburn, sleeping disorders, insomnia, depression, low back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Even if you just have acid reflux, sleeping problems or GERD, a wedge pillow can alleviate these symptoms considerably.
Most people who get sleep apnea or GERD use an assisted sleeping posture in which one or both of their shoulders are elevated. This puts extra pressure on the lower back and often causes the throat to relax and partially collapse backwards. Using a wedge pillow will help keep the shoulder in a neutral position, thereby eliminating the effects of gravity on the lower back.
Severe pain and chronic back pain are frequently caused by poor muscle alignment in the lumbar region of the spine. Using a wedge pillow can help prevent this misalignment. The natural inward curvature of the low back naturally draws the shoulders down and away from the hips. By elevating the head and/or sitting in a better position, a good sleeping position can be achieved, and chronic lower back pain and neck stiffness can be reduced.
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Acid reflux and GERD often occur due to poor eating habits; individuals who eat fast and/or late at night tend to suffer from reflux all the time. It is important for a healthy diet and lifestyle to ensure that acid reflux does not occur. One of the ways that wedge pillows can assist with this is by allowing for the slow release of gastric acid, helping to reduce the occurrence of reflux and its symptoms. In addition to this, there is also a direct correlation between the amount of pressure placed upon the stomach area and the severity of acid reflux problems: the greater the pressure, the greater the potential for serious damage to the esophagus, the oesophagus, and the valve that provide the blood flow to the stomach.
Some studies have shown that sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of depression as well. This may be because the individuals who suffer from this condition experience difficulty when they awaken due to their abnormal sleeping habits, thus causing them to become depressed. For those individuals who are inclined to experience depression when experiencing health issues like sleep apnea, using a wedge pillow can allow for better sleep conditions and a more positive mood.
While many people may look unfavorably upon the use of these pillows during the day, studies have indicated that individuals suffering from sleep apnea or other health issues like depression may actually benefit from using them during the night. These are specially designed wedge pillows that lay flat on the floor, with the edges forming a wedge-like profile that propels the body up and out of the deep end of the bed. The unique design allows the person using it to prop her or his legs up in the air to promote good air circulation, which relieves pressure on swollen feet and decreases the chances of developing sleep apnea. Learn more about this topic here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-side-sleeper-pillows-for-neck-back-and-shoulder-pain_l_5c8fd3d4e4b0d50544fe705c.