When people find out that I develop pillows for Select Comfort, they often start asking me what kind of pillow they should sleep on based on their sleep issues. Many of their issues revolve around waking up with stiff shoulders, neck pain, back pain and snoring. (Usually it is a wife complaining about her husband’s snoring… because if we ourselves are the “snorer” we probably aren’t as impacted as the one sleeping next to us!)
So what do I recommend to my friends, co-workers and strangers that ask my opinion on what pillow they should buy? Sleep Number has so many pillow options designed to fit everyone’s needs, with different fills, shapes, sizes and design. We even have one with a special design to reduce snoring. Because choosing the perfect pillow can be so overwhelming – I always recommend that they visit a Sleep number store to get a professional pillow fit from one of our sleep experts.
Why?
Most of us do a squeeze test in a store to find a pillow that we think will be comfortable. In reality the only way to get the perfect pillow is to try it on a bed, and have a sleep expert pillow fit you to ensure that your head and neck are properly aligned with your spine. Pillow fitting makes perfect sense, and it’s easy!
Our sleep experts ask a few simple questions and will recommend a few different pillows for you to test drive while lying on a Sleep Number mattress that can be set to the approximate firmness of your bed at home. This is much more ideal than lying on a sales floor at your local store.
A pillow should hold your neck and spine in alignment with the rest of your body. The best pillow for you takes into consideration your sleep position, height, shoulder width, mattress firmness and any sleep related issues you may currently have. For example – If you sleep on your back you need medium density neck support, while side sleepers may need a thicker or firmer pillow. If you are one of the 10% who sleep on their stomach, you will need a soft and plush pillow. Plus, if your mattress is very firm you tend to need a thicker pillow, and if your mattress is very soft you will need a thinner pillow.
I know it’s a lot to think about. That’s why I invite you to visit a Sleep Number store and have a sleep professional help you.
Do you have any pillow questions? If so, let me know and I’ll try my best to answer them on this blog.
4 Comments
i am 51 yrs old and going thru change of life.
I have always used and loved my feather pillow. not any more.I usually go to sleep on my side. but I can wake in any possition.
problem is I wake very hot,and with headaches in tha occipital region and my neck hurts along with the top of my shoulders not in my back but on top where my neck holds my head.
what kind of pillow do you think I should try.
thank you Peggy
Peggy –
This is Lisa Fleek from Select Comfort. Thanks for the comment!
You are not alone, many people wake up hot at night!
In fact at Select Comfort we have developed the perfect solution with our InBalance pillow protector. This innovative protector has a temperature balancing material that is designed to keep you sleeping cool at night, it balances temperature swings that can cause you to wake up. We also have many other InBalance items such as mattress pads, sheets and blankets.
I recommend you visit one of our Sleep Number stores, so our sleep experts can help you find a pillow that is comfortable and properly aligns your neck and spine, to help reduce your headache and neck aches. If you cannot get to a store, you can also call us at 1-888-411-2270 and our customer care team can help guide you to a pillow that should give you better support.
There is another issue which should be addressed when considering a pillow. Allergens are an important factor since your hair and scalp can lose a lot of material which can become dust. Keep in mind while you shop that if you currently wake with itchy eyes, stuffy nose, sore or scratchy throat, or other problems commonly associated with allergies, then you may want to look for a hypoallergenic pillow.
When sleeping on your pillow should it be adjusted under the neck, should your shoulders be on the pillow. Just what is the proper placement for shoulders on the pillow.