Wedge Pillow Articles

  • Which Pillow for GERD Do You Need?

    Which Pillow for GERD Do You Need? 

    Finding a pillow for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) does not have to be hard. But how do you know what kind of pillow you need?

    Best pillow for GERD

    The best pillow for GERD is a wedge pillow. When you sleep with your upper body inclined on a wedge pillow, it can reduce symptoms of GERD that you may experience while sleeping flat. When you lie down flat on your back, your stomach and esophagus are positioned in a way that makes it easier for stomach acid to flow into your esophagus. This can lead to burning or aching in your chest, difficulty swallowing, difficulty sleeping, etc.

    Sleeping elevated on a wedge pillow for GERD will position your stomach and esophagus in a way that makes it much harder for stomach acid to enter the esophagus. The elevation of your torso utilizes gravity to keep your stomach acid where it belongs, which is in your stomach! This leads to a good night’s sleep which is essential for your body to be able to rest and heal.

    GERD pillow for back sleepers

    A bed wedge for GERD for back sleepers is triangular in shape and at least 7 inches tall. 7 inches is the height that most physicians recommend for combatting symptoms of GERD. However, if you have a heavier torso, you may want to try out a 10-inch wedge. When sleeping on a bed wedge for GERD, always place your regular pillow on top of the wedge. This will support your neck while you sleep at an incline.

    A pillow for GERD should be made with a firm polyurethane base as its foundation. A wedge made with a firm base will not lose its shape overtime and gives your body the best support. Additionally, look for a wedge pillow whose firm base is topped with a layer of memory foam. The combination of a firm and supportive base and luscious memory foam topper is the ideal makeup of a wedge pillow for GERD.

    For the most comfortable experience, you will also want to sleep with a knee wedge pillow. A knee wedge pillow helps you to not slide down your GERD wedge during the night. It also takes pressure off your low back and hips so that your entire body can relax. This gives you the best sleep and most optimal rest.

    GERD pillow for side sleepers

    A GERD pillow for side sleepers is made especially for those who love to sleep on their side. Side sleepers no longer have to sacrifice comfort to avoid GERD symptoms at night. Using a side sleeper wedge is the best of both worlds.

    A GERD pillow for side sleepers is made with specially designed contours that support the curves of your body. The contours make sure that while you side sleep, your low back and spine maintain a neutral position. The contours also make sure your upper back and shoulders are supported.

    Just like on a triangle GERD pillow, place your regular neck pillow on top of the contoured side sleeper wedge to support your neck. Sleeping elevated and on your side positions your esophagus over your stomach and uses gravity in the same way a triangle wedge does. Gravity is used to hold your stomach acid in your stomach rather than allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.

    When sleeping on a GERD pillow for side sleepers, you should also use a leg separator pillow. A leg separator pillow supports your legs so that your hips and lower back are in a resting position when you sleep. Using a leg separator pillow can help you wake up without any back or hip stiffness.

    A pillow for GERD can help you sleep comfortably and avoid the tossing and turning that often comes with GERD symptoms at night. Sleeping well will help you feel better, and when you feel better, you live better.

    -Hillary Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy

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  • How to Sleep After Umbilical Hernia Surgery

    How to Sleep After Umbilical Hernia Surgery 

    If you are asking yourself how to sleep after umbilical hernia surgery, you have come to the right place. Get ready to learn more about how you can rest comfortably while your recover.

    How to sleep after umbilical hernia surgery

    After undergoing an umbilical hernia surgery, it is best to start off sleeping on your back. However, do not sleep flat on your back. Sleeping flat on your back makes getting into and out of bed more difficult, increases pressure on your abdomen, and can cause low back pain and stiffness.

    To sleep more comfortably, elevate your upper body on a memory foam topped wedge pillow. Your wedge pillow should be between 10 and 12 inches tall. This height elevates your torso enough to decrease pressure on your abdomen. It will also help you get into and out of bed. Be sure to place your regular neck pillow on top of the wedge pillow for additional comfort.

    You should also sleep with your legs elevated on a knee wedge pillow. Elevating your legs on a knee wedge pillow does several things: It helps maintain your position on the upper body wedge, it takes pressure off your spine so you don’t wake up with a stiff back, and it improves circulation.

    After umbilical hernia surgery, sleeping with both a triangle wedge pillow and a knee wedge pillow positions your body for optimal rest and recovery.

    Transitioning to side sleeping

    After several weeks or months of recovery, you may be asking if it is okay to side sleep after umbilical hernia surgery. If you can side sleep with minimal or no pain, this is generally okay. However, when you sleep on your side, it is very important to make sure that your body is properly supported. This includes supporting your spine, abdomen, and hips.

    If you are still experiencing pain, having difficulty getting into and out of bed, or like sleeping with a little bit of incline, you will need to transition to a contoured incline wedge pillow. The contours in a contoured incline wedge are made to support the curves of your body. This ensures your low back, hips, and shoulders are supported. It also keeps your upper body inclined which helps with acid reflux and bed transfers.

    In addition to a contoured incline wedge, consider using a leg separator pillow. A leg separator pillow can be wedged under your abdomen for additional support. It can then run between your legs all the way to your feet. This makes sure your low back and hips are fully supported.

    If you are ready to sleep flat and on your side, you will need a side sleeper wedge and a leg separator pillow. A side sleeper wedge is a small wedge that fits in the curve of your waist. It supports your abdomen and your low back. Combining this with a leg separator pillow supports your whole body while you sleep.

    Learning how to sleep after umbilical hernia surgery is key to your recovery. Set yourself up for success so that you can get back to doing the things you love, faster!

    -Hillary Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy

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  • Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow for Side Sleepers

    Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow for Side Sleepers 

    An acid reflux wedge pillow for side sleepers is made just for…you guessed it! Side sleepers! If you sleep on your side and have acid reflux, there is a specific wedge made perfectly for you.

    What is an acid reflux wedge pillow for side sleepers?

    An acid reflux wedge pillow for side sleepers is made just for those who love to sleep on their side. A traditional reflux pillow is a triangular shape with a straight top. These triangular pillows work well to alleviate reflux symptoms for back sleepers but can be uncomfortable for side sleepers.

    Instead of a straight top, an acid reflux wedge pillow for side sleepers is topped with strategically placed contours. These contours are made to specifically support the natural curves of your body. They support your back, hips, and shoulder so that when you sleep, your muscles and joints are fully at rest.

    In addition to an acid reflux pillow for side sleepers, you may consider a leg separator pillow. When you sleep with the combination of a reflux pillow and a leg separator pillow, you give your upper and lower body the most support. The leg separator pillow allows your low back, hips, and knees to completely relax.

    What characteristics should an acid reflux pillow for side sleepers have?

    The first characteristic to look for in a wedge pillow for side sleepers is the height. Physicians generally recommend that a wedge pillow for acid reflux should be anywhere from 6-8 inches tall. This height puts your stomach and esophagus in a position where stomach acid is less likely to flow upwards to the esophagus.

    Secondly, an acid reflux or GERD pillow for side sleepers should be made with a memory foam top. Memory foam will respond and conform to your individual body. It gives you more support where you need it to, and less support where you don’t need it.

    Make sure your side sleeping wedge has a CertiPUR-US® certification. Foams that pass this rigorous certification are safe for you to sleep on. They are made using some of the safest and conscientious materials.

    Side sleepers no longer have to sacrifice comfort in order to sleep elevated! An acid reflux wedge pillow for side sleepers offers full body comfort while relieving symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.

    -Hillary Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy

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  • Sleeping After Knee Replacement: Keeping it Simple

    Sleeping After Knee Replacement: Keeping it Simple 

    Sleeping after knee replacement surgery is an important aspect of your healing. Keep reading to learn how you can sleep comfortably and make the most out of your rehab.

    Sleeping positions after knee replacement

    The best sleeping position after a total knee replacement is on your back. However, you will want to avoid sleeping flat on your back for several reasons. First, sleeping flat on your back can cause muscle tension, soreness, or pain in your lower spine. Second, immediately after surgery, your knee will not be able to straighten all the way. This means you will not be able to lie completely flat and support your knee. Third, sleeping flat can allow fluid to build up in your leg overnight.

    The other possible sleeping positions after knee replacement are on your stomach and on your side. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your stomach puts a lot of stress and strain on your neck and upper back. In regards to side sleeping, its probably not going to be an option early on. Typically, sleeping on your side is pretty painful for the first couple of months after surgery.

    Pillow placement after TKR

    When sleeping after knee replacement surgery, try elevating your legs on a contoured leg elevation pillow. The contours will cradle your legs and calves for maximal comfort. They also support your legs in a way that avoids tender spots and pressure points.

    Sleeping slightly elevated also uses gravity to reduce swelling in your leg. When swelling gets out of your leg faster, you recover faster. This position is also ideal for your back muscles and spine. Sleeping on your back with your legs supported ensures that your lumbar muscles and spine stay relaxed overnight instead of stiffening up.

    Immediately after surgery, you may not be able to lie on a contoured leg wedge with your knee completely straight. That's okay! You can place a small pillow or towel under the bend of your knee. Over the next several weeks and months as your knee heals, remove the pillows or towels gradually until you can sleep comfortably with your legs elevated on the contoured leg wedge.

    After a knee replacement, you do want to avoid lying for prolonged periods with your knee bent. However, if you are carefully following your physical therapist’s exercise program, you are getting plenty of movement throughout the day. If this is the case, sleeping with a small pillow under the back of your knee at night is generally okay if it is needed for you to sleep. Always check with your physical therapist to see if using an additional pillow on top of the wedge is okay for you, or if they want you to try to use only the contoured wedge.

    Other sleeping positions after knee replacement surgery

    As your knee continues to heal, you may want to venture back into side sleeping. To do this comfortably, you must have a leg separator pillow. Otherwise, the pain of your knees on top of each other is oftentimes unbearable.

    Make sure that the leg separator pillow is supportive enough to keep your top leg parallel to the bed. This takes any tension off your low back and hips. You also want to make sure that it is long enough to run from your pubic bone to past your feet. This length makes sure your leg is getting the support it needs.

    Sleeping after knee replacement surgery can be difficult at first, but as your body heals and your leg is supported correctly, you will be sleeping soundly before you know it!

    -Hillary Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy

     

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