On the stomach, on the back or on the side, everyone has their favorite position to fall into the arms of Morpheus, but if you wake up in the morning with too much pain, something is definitely wrong. It is not just a matter of mattresses and pillows. While you sleep, there are several positions that create spinal misalignment. And can cause back pain in the lumbar region or leg cramps. To get a really good sleep and not wake up crumpled, one of the possible solutions is to get an orthopedic knee pillow.
As recommended by orthopedists, simply placing a pillow between the knees or the upper part of the leg automatically restores natural alignment of the hips, pelvis and spine. A regular pillow is enough. But on the market there are pillows specially made to take on this function in a more conformable way. These are simple supports and habits that make you fit and have the task of evenly distributing the weight of the body. Adapting to the natural curve of the spine, positioned between the legs, at the height of the knees.
These pillows help to maintain the correct posture while sleeping on the side. Why not use a typical pillow then? Because if you are a pillow lover, you should still buy a new one and because the pillows made specifically for the legs are mostly made of memory foam. Do not flatten with use and have breathable covers that can be machine washed whenever it is needed. Some knee pain pillows also have elastic bands to keep them from getting lost on your bed during the night.
Knee Pillows in Pregnancy
Many women must have discovered leg pillows in pregnancy. In fact, when you are pregnant, it is easy to suffer from back pain. And this is how to make the most of your pregnancy in the last trimester? It is especially common to end up sleeping on your side from the first months of pregnancy. Again a knee pain pillow can go a long way in keeping the spine aligned, while another pillow, even a regular one, can help support your belly.
Alternatively, you can use a pregnancy pillow specifically designed to perform both functions, or if already present in the case, a breastfeeding pillow.
Why Use a Knee Pillow?
Resting on your side is comfortable. But at the same time it is challenging for your spine by straining your lower back. Moreover you need don’t worry that running will cause joint pain it can be very helpful to you. Coming to the point to avoid this risk, however, it is possible to make an easy correction. Which consists in placing a pillow between the knees, because it:
- Reduces stress on the joints.
- Aligns the posture of the spine, especially the lumbar.
- Releases the compression on the hips and knees.
- Eliminates pain in the lower back.
Knee Pillow Against Back and Hip Pain
Sleeping on your side helps to relieve pain in the back. A knee pillow can be placed between the legs to further relieve tension on the hips and lower back. But if you are a back sleeper, the pillow should be placed under the knees to maintain the natural curvature of the back.
The following characteristics help achieve these effects:
Models in memory foam — an industrial compound that has been widespread for several years. It is Made with polyurethane foam and some chemical additives, capable of regulating its structural density. Which is soft and pleasant to the touch, fresh and breathable, with machine washable lining;
An orthopedic knee pillow with memory foam has the property of maintaining shape and elasticity, adapting perfectly to the anatomical conformation of each one, having a consistency that is never too soft or too rigid.
It helps the person lying, mainly, on the side, to achieve an ideal alignment, with consequent advantage for the spine, knees and shoulders;
Some models are also equipped with a band (possibly detachable), to make the pillow adhere to one leg, so that, during the night. It cannot fall or slip from the correct position, ensuring maximum stability for all the hours of your rest;
The greatest capacity of the knee pain pillow is to distribute the weight of the person in a completely uniform. Therefore natural way during sleep returning to the original shape (generally heart-shaped). But can also have other anatomical designs) as soon as it is releases from the body pressure;
It is a real physical exercise, through an excellent comfort, which helps to reduce the pressure on the hips. It allows a peaceful relaxation and, very importantly, the absence of back and neck pain. As well as being practically indispensable in pregnancy.
Side-Sleepers and Knee Pillow
First you need to know the common factors that cause your lack of sleep which disturb the brain’s health. Whether you sleep on your side (one of the most common practice). Or whether we prefer the supine or prone position. Sleeping with an orthopaedic leg pillow helps to reduce stress on the joints. It realigns the posture of the spine especially in the lumbar area.
This happens because the support loosens the compression on the hips and knees, eliminating, night after night, the pain or in any case, in the mildest cases, the annoying sensation of discomfort. Sleeping with a pillow between the legs is therefore an excellent solution for treating mild back pain.
Which Pillow to Choose?
Be careful: just any support is not good to take advantage of the benefits described above. The right knee pain pillow should in fact:
- Adapt to the physiological shapes of the body, following the curvature of the spine.
- Stay cool, dry and breathable.
The most suitable item is, therefore, the one made from memory foam. Being elastic, it adapts to the shape of the body, and then returns to its original shape.
Thanks to these characteristics, the memory foam model is also the best pillow for the neck. Because it allows you not to tilt the head down or up. But to keep the neck aligned with the spine. It helps to avoid the onset of pain and tingling.
The memory foam pillow designed specifically for the position between the legs. It adapts perfectly to every body size, due to designing in an ergonomic shape. Therefore, dismissing the need to choose different sizes or models depending on the user. In addition, it has a major benefit of reducing the rubbing effect, everyone’s pet peeve, especially during the hot season.