Wedge Pillow Benefits: 5 Ways They Improve Your Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important parts of your health, so it’s smart to invest some time and money in finding the best pillows for a good night’s sleep. While traditional pillows are the popular choice, wedge pillows and other specialty pillows are a better solution for some sleepers.

Whether you want to improve sleep quality or help manage problems like acid reflux, sleeping on a wedge pillow benefits you in several ways. Some people simply find the shape more comfortable for the way they sleep. If you’re considering a wedge pillow for your bed, here’s why you should give it a try.

• Minimizes Neck & Back Pain
• Reduces Snoring & Sleep Apnea Symptoms
• Helps with Sinus Issues
• Optimal Position for Pregnancy
• Prevents Acid Reflux
• How to Choose a Wedge Pillow
• Wedge Pillow FAQs
• Final Notes

1. Minimizes Neck & Back Pain

The angle that your head and neck sit at when you sleep can leave you in a lot of pain the next morning. If you regularly experience neck and back pain in the morning, wedge pillows may help relieve some of that pain. Simply turn your wedge pillow around so the thin end is facing the top of your bed, then sleep with your neck on the high end of the pillow. Sleeping with your neck at the proper elevation helps keep your spinal column aligned, which can relieve pressure and help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.

2. Reduces Snoring & Sleep Apnea Symptoms

For sleepers who have a problem with snoring or sleep apnea, wedge pillows may be the perfect solution. One of the benefits of a wedge pillow is that it can help with sleep apnea and snoring by keeping your head elevated. When your head isn’t properly elevated, it’s easier for your tongue to relax and block your airways, which can cause you to snore and even wake up throughout the night.

When you have your head on a wedge pillow, gravity helps do some of the work to keep your tongue and other tissues from blocking your airway. That being said, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your sleep apnea before you invest in a wedge pillow. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that may require a CPAP machine, so it’s up to your doctor to decide what’s right for you.

3. Helps With Sinus Issues

Sinus issues can make it really hard to sleep, especially if you’re having trouble breathing properly as a result of blocked sinuses. If you experience sinus issues when you sleep, a wedge pillow may help with that. One of the bed wedge pillow benefits is that wedge pillows can help with sinus issues by keeping your head elevated at an angle that promotes natural drainage.

If your sinus problems are partially caused by irritants getting into your sinuses, you might want to consider combining a wedge pillow with a hypoallergenic pillowcase. These pillowcases are made with special materials that don’t trigger allergies, so they’re great for people who have sinus issues as a result of allergies.

4. Optimal Position For Pregnancy

Finding a comfortable sleeping position can be nearly impossible when you’re pregnant, but getting a good night’s sleep is so important. A wedge pillow can help you achieve the optimal position for sleeping while pregnant, so you can relax and get the sleep you deserve.

The trick to getting a good night’s sleep while pregnant is to tuck the wedge pillow between your legs. A wedge pillow between your legs helps support your lower back and belly, which relieves some of the pressure you may feel when you lie down. If you’re a side sleeper, this can be a great way to get better sleep during pregnancy.

5. Prevents Acid Reflux

Acid reflux can make your life a lot more difficult, from making it difficult to sleep at night to interrupting your day with the pain of heartburn. Sleeping with a wedge pillow can actually help prevent acid reflux by keeping your head and neck elevated a bit, which helps prevent the backflow of stomach acid through gravity.

If you have bad acid reflux that’s keeping you up at night, you might want to look beyond the wedge pillow benefits for relief. Using an adjustable bed and slightly raising the head part of the bed can also help provide relief from acid reflux.

How To Choose A Wedge Pillow

If you want to enjoy all the wedge pillow benefits, it’s important to shop around to make sure you get a quality wedge pillow. When you’re shopping for a wedge pillow, you should consider the size, angle, firmness, and material.

Size

Size is the first thing you should consider when it comes to a wedge pillow. If you’re just going to use your pillow for sleeping, you don’t need a very large pillow. However, you may need a larger pillow if you’re a larger person, or if you like to sit up and watch TV or read in bed. You probably don’t need a pillow that’s any larger than 24 inches in either direction, but you don’t want to shell out money for a pillow that’s too small for your head.

Angle

The angle of wedge pillows is what makes them so great, and that angle can vary quite a bit. Make sure you look at how steep the incline is before you buy a wedge pillow. You might want a very steep incline if you’re using your wedge pillow to sit up and read or watch TV, but it may not be comfortable for sleeping. Consider visiting a store where you can try a few different wedge pillows in person.

Firmness

Everybody has different preferences when it comes to firmness, so make sure you choose a pillow that’s not too soft, but not too firm. Firm pillows are good if you want solid support, but they may not be as comfortable as softer pillows. Plush pillows may offer better comfort, but it’s important to find a pillow that’s firm enough to hold its wedge shape. Again, visiting a store where you can feel wedge pillows in person is a good way to find the right firmness for your needs.

Material

You should also consider the material a wedge pillow is made from, whether you’re looking for the best pillow for side sleepers or a good pregnancy pillow. You want a wedge pillow that’s covered in a material that’s both soft and durable, especially if you’re not going to use a pillowcase. Many wedge pillows also feature a textured cover, which can affect how soft and plushy the pillow feels. If you’re not sure which wedge pillow is right for you, you can always try a couple of materials and return the pillows you don’t like.

Wedge Pillow FAQs

Is it good to sleep on a wedge pillow?

Sleeping on a wedge pillow can offer several benefits depending on what kind of sleeper you are. Wedge pillows are great for side sleepers, and they can also help you sleep more comfortable during your pregnancy. Some of the other wedge pillow benefits include relief from sinus problems, acid reflux, and neck and back pain. A good wedge pillow can transform the way you sleep.

Is a wedge pillow good for neck pain?

Wedge pillows can help you get relief from neck pain by straightening out your spinal column while you sleep. To use a wedge pillow for neck pain, simply turn the pillow around so the tall end is facing the foot of the bed. When you sleep with your neck on this tall part of the pillow, it keeps your head at the right elevation and helps align your spinal column to relieve back and neck pain.

How do you sleep on a wedge pillow?

There are many ways to sleep on a wedge pillow. If you’re dealing with back and neck pain, you can sleep with your neck on the taller side of the wedge. You can get a better night’s sleep while pregnant by placing a wedge pillow in between your legs to relieve pressure. For many people, however, the best way to sleep on a wedge pillow is to place the tall end at the head of the bed and simply lie down with your head elevated a bit.

Final Notes

Getting a good night’s sleep helps you stay healthy and better prepare for each day. Whether you’re having trouble sleeping due to pregnancy, neck and back pain, sinus issues, or acid reflux, sleeping with a wedge pillow can help you get relief and sleep better.

If you’re looking for a quality wedge pillow to help you sleep better, MedCline has the answer. You can tell us your height and we’ll find the perfect MedCline pillow for you.