Choosing the Best Pillow

Which pillow is right for you? The answer is usually a combination of various factors such as your: - Sleep habits (side-sleeper, stomach sleeper, back sleeper) - Age and the health of your spine (history of aches and pains, cramps, discomfort) - Personal preferences (in terms of material, comfort and style), and - Budget (no matter what you're willing to spend, a little market research goes a long way!) As you get older your body and sleep patterns undergo many changes. The pillow that seemed perfect a few years ago might not have changed much, but your needs are different. You might need more comfort and support, a different shape or a material that is more efficient at relieving pressure points that cause pain and discomfort. Getting Started The best size: Your build and personal preference are the deciding factors while choosing the right size . Start with a pillow that looks 'right' for you. Lie down the way you usually do and slip the pillow under your neck. Do not rush yourself to make a decision. Take a moment to 'settle down'. Turn around and try your favorite sleeping postures. Rate the pillow for comfort level. Next, try a slightly bigger pillow and test it for comfort. Does it feel better? Try a few progressively bigger sizes, thickness etc. When you have found the right size, move on to the next step: The best shape: Comfort is not the only factor while picking your pillow. Support is equally important. More so if you have special needs, such as back pain, neck pain or frozen shoulder. A good contour pillow is shaped to ensure neutral spinal alignment, helping to relax the supporting muscles and relieve stiff neck and back pain. The "Sleep Better Pillow" has special Arm Channels to allow free arm movement and support the entire weight of the head and neck. The best material: You can choose a variety of inner fillings and outer covers for your pillow. Pick a memory foam pillow if you are looking for a "perfect fit". Memory foam is composed of cells that redistribute themselves to match the exact contours of the body. Your body weight is evenly distributed throughout the entire surface area of the material, ensuring better comfort without tossing and turning. Make sure you are not allergic to the filling or cover material and it does not emanate a strong or offensive odor. The best credentials: While neck support is proven to help people with cervical problems, you need to ensure that the type of neck pillow you buy provides the right level of comfort and neck support all night long. Many of the "special neck pillows" available in the market today have not been designed or recommended by a registered physiotherapist or neurosurgeon. Leading neurosurgeon Dr. Berke has found much success in his quest to provide effective neck support for people who suffer from neck and back problems. Many people have benefited from his specially-designed contoured "Sleep Better Pillow" made of visco-elastic memory foam. In a quality-of-sleep study conducted on 1000 subjects, 90% said they would continue to use the "Sleep Better Pillow"