5 Benefits of Bed Wedge Pillows (And How to Use One)

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about their pillow. But in addition to your mattress, it’s one of the single most important factors in quality of sleep. If you’re simply using a pillow because it’s the same one you’ve always used, it might be time to reevaluate your options.

The Most Common Types of Pillows

When it comes to good quality sleep, there are numerous factors involved. From your bedroom environment to your pre-sleep routine, every little element matters. But one of the more critical components is your mattress and pillow.

In this article, we’re going to focus in on the less discussed of the two: your pillow.

It should go without saying, but all pillows are not created equal. In fact, there are significant variances between each different one. For your convenience, here’s a brief summary of the most common types of pillows you’ll find for sale:

• Feather pillows. If you’re looking for a soft pillow that offers nice conformability and support, a feather pillow is perfect. The feathers used in pillows are very small and curled, making them ideal for the contours of your head.
• Down pillows. Plop your head down at a five-star luxury resort and you’ll find plump, down pillows. They’re soft, puffy, and cozy – but don’t expect a ton of support.
• Memory foam pillows. Much like memory foam mattresses, memory foam pillows have become increasingly popular in the last few years. They’re great because they adjust to your individual shape and allow you to self adjust throughout the night.

• Neck pillows. Normally reserved for traveling or upright sleeping, neck pillows provide support for your neck so that you don’t end up straining muscles during sleep.

• Lumbar pillows. For people who suffer from back pain, lumbar pillows sit directly above the lumbar area and relieve pressure so the muscles and nerves can relax.

• Wedge pillows. As the name suggests, these pillows are shaped like large wedges. They’re typically made of foam and polyester fiber fill. They can be used in a variety of orientations for unique purposes – including both comfort and various health conditions.

While most people have a feather, down, or memory foam pillow as their main sleeping pillow, the wedge pillow is becoming increasingly popular. If you’ve never considered one, perhaps you should?

The Benefits of Wedge Pillows

While some people simply enjoy the feel of wedge pillows, most sleepers end up selecting one for a specific health reason. Most commonly, it’s used to improve or eliminate symptoms related to:

• Snoring and sleep apnea. When sleeping horizontal on a mattress, gravity works against your respiratory system and can collapse your airway. In some people, this leads to interruption of normal sleeping patterns (sleep apnea). A wedge pillow gently repositions the body and eliminates these occurrences.
• Cough and post-nasal drip. Caused by mucus dripping down the back of the throat and into the airways, post-nasal drip can create issues both during sleep and upon waking. For many, this leads to a chronic cough that never seems to go away. Sleeping on a wedge pillow provides just enough elevation for the upper body, which prevents mucus from pooling at the back of the throat. Ultimately, this reduces inflammation and irritation, leading to better overall health.
• Back pain. In people with certain types of back pain, a wedge pillow can provide just enough of an incline to stack the hips and vertebrae in the correct spinal alignment. Typically people with upper back pain benefit more from a wedge pillow than those with lower back pain.

• Nighttime asthma. For those suffering from nighttime asthma, a wedge pillow fights back against the adverse effects of gravity and prevents blood from pooling in the lungs (which may be one of the causes of breathing issues).

• Post-operative care. Doctors often recommend wedge pillows in patients who’ve recently had surgery. Depending on where it’s placed, it can reduce swelling and pain in sensitive joint areas. Some people even find two wedge pillows useful – one for the knees and one for the upper body.

These are just the most common uses. Talk to a number of wedge pillow users and you’ll find that each has their own preferences and unique needs. It’s this versatility that makes the wedge pillow so popular.

Popular Ways to Use Wedge Pillows

There are endless ways to use a wedge pillow, but there are four common “setups.” Take a look and try them for yourself:

• Upright for reclining. For people who like to read or watch TV in bed, the wedge can be placed vertically (the thinnest portion of the wedge at the top) against the headboard. This provides good support and an ergonomically correct angle for the spine.

• Gentle slope for side and back sleeping. For side sleepers and back sleepers alike, the wedge can be placed horizontally on the mattress to provide a gentle slope that elevates the upper portion of the body while remaining comfortable for the rest of the body.

• Under the knees. Want to get relief from the lower back and improve circulation in the legs? Place the tallest portion of the wedge under the knees with the pillow sloping away from your body.

• On your lap. For people who like to use their laptop in bed for work or streaming video, the wedge can be placed on the lap for a subtle, yet comfortable incline.

Try different orientations and body positions and you’ll eventually discover the ones that work best for your body and physical health needs.

Buy the Perfect Cloud Bed Wedge

At Perfect Cloud, we’re proud to offer our customers a bed wedge that’s meticulously sourced with the finest materials and intentionally designed to provide ultimate support and comfort. Made with thoroughly tested memory foam, our bed wedge pillow eliminates nervous tension that commonly produces head, neck, and shoulder pain to allow for a restful night of slumber, regardless of your preferred sleep position.

Order one today and enjoy free shipping and returns, as well as a three-year warranty!