Rest Assured with a Wedge Pillow

69

By RamonB

The use of orthopedic pillows is increasing as it is becoming more understood how our sleeping positions and patterns affect our long term posture and well being. Here we will take a look at a particular type of one of these items, called a “wedge pillow”. What is it? Who might use one? How will their sleep be enhanced? Where can you get hold of one?

Orthopedic pillows in general are designed to provide support for a particular area of the body that needs either protecting or healing. They aim to correct body positioning when we are asleep to assist in the whole process and they have been used variously by pregnant women, people with back or neck pain, people with broken bone injuries in plaster casts, sufferers of sleep apnea or heavy snoring, those with breathing difficulties and so on.

What is a Wedge Pillow?

Specifically, a bed wedge pillow is a multi-purpose cushion that is triangular in shape, providing a slope for placing the body in an upright position to assist with sleep or rest.

Let’s take a look at some of the features of these pillows. Firstly, they are now available in many different sizes to give them a wider range of appeal and usage. There are ones that are made specifically for leg support; and there are other, larger ones that are designed to support the whole body.

Secondly let’s consider the materials that are used to manufacture these pillows. In the past we had to choose between foam and fiber, but more recently the use of a special type of material called “memory foam” has increasingly been used in mattresses and pillows. This is a heat sensitive material that moulds itself to the shape and contours of the individual body, then returns to its original shape when the body is removed. It is available in different densities and therefore provides differing levels of support and comfort. This has been something of a revelation in improving bedding products and wedge pillows are no exception.

Bed Rest Pilllow

Brentwood Originals Brushed Twill Bedrest, Navy
Amazon Price: $22.99
List Price: $39.99
Arlee Micro Suede Bed Rest Lounger, Black
Amazon Price: $17.99
List Price: $19.99
Brentwood Porter Bedrest, Tan
Amazon Price: $24.99
Brentwood Faux Suede Bedrest, Sandstone
Amazon Price: $29.57
List Price: $29.99
Brentwood Originals Poodle Bedrest, Lilac
Amazon Price: $25.99
Bed Rest Pillow - Tan
Amazon Price: $29.95
List Price: $19.99
Greendale Home Fashions Bed Rest Pillow Hyatt, Moss
Amazon Price: $30.21
List Price: $39.99
Brentwood Animal Fur Bedrest, Zebra
Amazon Price: $22.04
List Price: $39.99

Using Your Wedge Pillow

Next, bed wedge pillows can have a smooth, even finish or they can be ribbed, depending on the intended use and individual preference.

Some of these pillows will have an extra piece of molded foam added to the main surface to provide extra support for the neck; others will be a completely flat surface. The choice is yours.

They also have different degrees of firmness. One that is too soft or too firm may not provide you with the full benefits you are after, so read the labels or, if you are researching online, check the specifications before you buy.

If you have read this far in the article then we can assume that you are interested in maintaining a semi-upright position for your sleep. Whatever your optimum angle might be, you should be able to find one that will help you with your condition or your personal preference. Again be sure to know what you’re looking for and check the product details before committing.

Wedge pillows are usually used with a case covering them, to protect the actual cushion and make it easier to keep clean. The cases come in a wide range of designs and colors to suite every design taste and maintain the integrity of the bedroom décor. Their quality also varies from high thread-count cases that have a luxurious softness to them, to lower quality cases that are cheaper. You will generally find these cases on sale at the same place as the actual pillows.

Pillow Uses

We have mentioned some categories of people that might benefit from using a wedge pillow. Let’s take a closer look at what they will gain.

If somebody is suffering from acid reflux, for example, it will help them to fall asleep in an upright position. This is important for such a person because if they lie flat the acid, which travels up from the stomach to the esophagus, will cause an uncomfortable burning sensation just below the throat. Clearly this is liable to disturb the night’s rest.

Similarly, back or neck pain is a common ailment afflicting many people. Bone disease, injury, illness, trauma, bad posture…whatever the reason, it exists, and being able get a decent sleep in an upright position is a relief those in this unfortunate situation.

Heavy snorers may also be able to remedy their condition, which can upset the sleep of partners too. Upright sleeping prevents the tongue from rolling back in the mouth and blocking the airway, which creates the problem.

Orthopedic Wedge Pillow

Wagan IN9788 Ortho Wedge Cushion
Amazon Price: $10.68
List Price: $14.95
GRAY Wagan Ortho Wedge Seat Cushion
Amazon Price: $12.99
List Price: $24.95
Duro-Med Hugg-A-Pillow All in One Orthopedic, Posture and Comfort Pillow with White Cover
Amazon Price: $17.44
List Price: $26.50
Duro-Med Ortho Bed Wedge with Blue Polyester/Cotton Cover, 8 x 20 x 24
Amazon Price: $28.00
List Price: $29.99
Duro-Med Stress-Ease Pillow Support, White
Amazon Price: $14.49
List Price: $20.95
Mediflow Waterbase Pillow
Amazon Price: $35.89
List Price: $39.99
Alex Orthopedic - 5013-10-LB - Back Wedge Bed Reading Pillow - Light Blue - 10 in.
Amazon Price: $46.49
Tush Cush Original Orthopedic Seat Cushion - Navy
Amazon Price: $44.95
List Price: $49.95

Reading Pillow

Brentwood Originals Brushed Twill Bedrest, Navy
Amazon Price: $22.99
List Price: $39.99
Brentwood Porter Bedrest, Tan
Amazon Price: $24.99
Brentwood Faux Suede Bedrest, Sandstone
Amazon Price: $29.57
List Price: $29.99
Brentwood Originals Porter Bedrest, Brown
Amazon Price: $24.99
Brentwood Originals Poodle Bedrest, Lilac
Amazon Price: $25.99
Relax in Bed Pillow - White - 23"width x 27" Height x 12"Depth
Amazon Price: $36.86
List Price: $69.95
Shagalicious Bedrest, Lime
Amazon Price: $24.41
List Price: $24.99
Hog Wild Peeramid Bookrest, Navy Blue
Amazon Price: $20.99
List Price: $29.99

Of course people have traditionally propped themselves up using multiple, conventional pillows to help alleviate some of the conditions described above, but the wedge pillow is a very handy addition that automatically creates a good angle of incline for the body, creating many advantages of weight distribution.

Another point is that many people like to use their wedge pillow as a reading pillow, propping you up in bed to enjoy a few pages of a novel before you turn out the light.

When you are choosing a manufacturer for your bed rest pillow you will likely find that nowadays wedge pillows are available in your favorite brands. This guarantees you a certain level of quality and comfort that you are accustomed to.

Wedge Pillow Reviews

Whether you are buying the item for yourself, or as a gift for somebody, you can search online at a bedding web site that will help you choose the right design for your personal needs. There will be a list of available designs, perhaps with accompanying thumbnail pictures to illustrate exactly what you are getting. There may be some reviews from other consumers who have used the particular product you are focusing on. All of this is valuable information and, if you decide that the savings from buying online are too good to pass up, then the best sites will allow you to make your purchase there and then and you can arrange secure payment and delivery within minutes.

Ultimately we are discussing a sound night’s sleep and this is as basic as eating food and drinking water for maintaining our health and well being. So if you either need or prefer to sleep with the upper part of your body at an inclined angle then a wedge pillow is a great option to consider.

Multi Functional Bed Wedge Pillow

No comments yet.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
    • Comments are not for promoting your Hubs or other sites

    Please wait working