The Ergonomic Pillow – Designed to Fit the Natural Shapes of Your Body

Memory foam pillows, orthopedic pillows, latex pillows and gel pillow – these are some of the usual therapeutic pillows that we see on the market nowadays. These specially designed cushions provide comfort to their users by keeping their body in proper posture while they lie down to rest and sleep. Today, another healthy pillow promises its users a longer sleep and a healthier sleeping posture: the ergonomic pillow.

What does ‘Ergonomic’ mean?

We often hear the word ergonomic when we go to the stores to buy a chair or a keyboard. Perhaps most of us know that if a thing is ergonomic, it is good for our health. But do we really know the implications of using ergonomically-designed products and materials?

Ergonomics is the science of designing devices and equipment that appropriately fit the body, its movements and actions, and even a person’s thinking ability. Therefore, if a product is ergonomic, it has a design that a person will find comfortable  and easy to use – physically and psychologically speaking. Ergonomic products have claims of pain and fatigue reduction, which in turn leads to better productivity. Some of the well-known productivity enhancing products are the office swivel chair, the mouse, monitors and keyboards – all of which are ergonomic.

Ergo, an Ergonomic Pillow is…

In essence therefore, an ergonomic pillow is a special cushion designed to accommodates the sleeping (and even sitting) position of the user in order to reduce any discomfort and pressure that result from remaining in one position for a very long period of time. Because of this unique feature, ergonomic pillows have a different shape as compared to ordinary cushions.

Ergonomic pillows vary in shape and size. They are mostly used as sleeping supports but they can also be used to alleviate aches and soreness in the lower back while sitting.

These pillows keep the body in a comfortable position by maintaining the spine in its neutral posture. When the spine is correctly aligned, there is minimum stress in the body. As a matter of fact, the reason why we experience pain in our neck, head and lower back is because our spine remained in a very awkward position all throughout the night.

Kinds of Ergonomic Pillows

One of the common types of ergonomic pillows is the neck support pillow. This cushion is specifically designed to relieve and avoid neck pain. It usually has an elevated part which keeps and supports the natural curvature of the neck, and a notched region where the back of the skull can rest. It is also recommendable for people who experience snoring while sleeping. Additionally, this pillow may be used for both side sleeping and back sleeping positions.

Since stomach sleepers experience most of the tension, they, on the other hand, may use a face down pillow instead. This pillow has a U-shaped hole where the sleeper can place his/her face. In this way, they are allowed to sleep in a face down position without straining the neck and losing the natural curvature of the spine.

Special circumstances also call for ergonomic pillows because they are orthopedic and therapeutic. For instance, a person journeying from one continent to another via long flight hours may use an ergonomic pillow for travel to prevent stiff neck and other neck discomfort. This pillow usually takes the shape of the big letter U, like the shape of an orthopedic pillow for neck, and provides comfort by supporting the head and neck of the user if he falls asleep while seated.

Also, pregnant women may be in need of an ergonomic pillow when they already reach the crucial stages of their pregnancy. They may use an orthopedic pillow for the entire body to provide proper support for their head and belly.

However, it should be clear that ergonomic pillows are not useful for special occasions alone; they can also be used by ordinary people in ordinary days. For example, an ergonomic pillow for office chairs may be used by office workers to keep themselves comfortable seated for long hours. Also, people who like to read while sitting down on the couch may use an ergonomic pillow for back support. Both of these pillows are proven effective to relieve and prevent pain that may be brought by improper sitting posture.

Ergonomic Pillow – Materials and Prices

Like orthopedic pillows, ergonomic pillows are also usually made of foam. Nevertheless, they can also still be made of other form-retaining materials like memory foam, latex and gel. These pillows vary in price, depending on the type, size, the materials from which they are made, and, of course, the brand. The normal price range for ergonomic pillows is between $37 and $45.