Are you waking up in the morning with a head, neck, or backache? Do you find yourself tossing and turning all night because aches and pains make you seek a more comfortable position? If so, then your sleeping posture is likely out of alignment, and it may be time for you to find a good cervical support pillow so you can get a good night's rest and wake up refreshed.
What is a Cervical Support Pillow?
A cervical support pillow or contour pillow is a pillow that keeps your head, neck, shoulders, and spine aligned so that there is no undue pressure on your spine. These pillows come in a variety of different shapes to meet the needs of different people. The most popular of all these shapes is the contoured pillow because it provides the right support to the head and neck while keeping their body aligned. When shopping for a good cervical support or contour pillow, here is what you need to look for.
Look for a Pillow that Works with your Preferred Sleeping Position
Some people are side sleepers, others may be back, or stomach sleepers and some people change positions when they are sleeping. The first thing you need to look for in a cervical or contour pillow is a pillow that matches your preferred sleeping position. There are pillows designed just for side and back sleepers, and there are also pillows specifically designed for multiple sleep positions. You need to choose one that best matches your sleeping position.
Shape and Size
You also want to find the right size and shape of the pillow to meet your specific needs. While contoured pillows are the most popular, some people prefer a rolled pillow or some other shape, and you need to find one that is the right size for your body.
Durable
A good cervical support pillow can be a bit on the expensive side, so you want to make sure that the pillow of your choice is designed to last for a very long time. Check and make sure that it is dense enough in the right places to provide you with the support you need and that all the seams are well sewn so that the pillow won't be coming apart.
Airflow
Many cervical support pillows are made from memory foam, which can be dense enough to hold your body heat and lead to you sweating at night. Make sure any pillow that you buy offers good airflow to help you sleep cooler and more comfortably. Pillows that are made with buckwheat hulls or shredded foam tend to have more breathability than pillows made from solid foam.
Core
The core of your pillow is very important, especially if you suffer from respiratory problems or allergies. Poly-foams and memory foam pillows are made with strong chemicals that may cause allergic reactions in some people. They also give off a smell (especially when new) that may cause breathing difficulty in people with asthma or other respiratory problems. Natural materials such as buckwheat hulls may help prevent or reduce the chances of an allergic reaction.
Cover Materials
The cover material of your pillow is just as important as the core. The best cover fabrics are ones that are hypo-allergenic and made of organic materials, such as organic cotton or bamboo. You also want the cover to have good airflow and have a Certi-Pur certification.
You also want to look for a cervical support pillow where the cover can be removed and washed so that your pillow will last longer. The good thing about bamboo pillow covers is that they are also anti-bacterial and antimicrobial so they can provide added protection from illness and allergies. They also are resistant to infestations from dust mites and other such critters.
Price
While it would be nice if we all could afford the best contour pillow that money can buy, the reality is that most of us live on a budget and need to choose a pillow that we can reasonably afford. Therefore it may take a little bit of research to find one that meets our needs and is still affordable. Just keep in mind that some manufacturers do make reasonably priced high-quality cervical support and contoured pillows, and you simply have to find the right pillow for you and your budget.
Now that you know what to look in good cervical support or contour pillow, you can go ahead and find the right model to provide you with a good night's sleep. Studies have shown that getting a good night's sleep gives us more energy during the day, puts us in a more positive mood frame, and allows us to enjoy each and every waking moment more fully.
Hannah Edmonds is a creative and enthusiastic freelance writer who has been loving this gig for 8 years now. Her personal mission is to encourage a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life experience for people through her writing, and this is her true passion. She is very adept at details, produces only first-rate work, and avoids fluff as well as redundancy. Hannah's goal is for people to grow their knowledge so they can keep evolving and growing. She has gained a lot of experience and has honed her craft through several years of work with different websites and blogs. Aside from writing, Hannah absolutely loves to travel, read, and loves anything that pertains to sports.