The best way to know body pillow how to use it efficiently is by identifying the type you have. There are many great reasons why one should use a body pillow. However, you can only get the most of this product by knowing the best way to use the specific type you have.
Not all body pillows are alike, and this article will guide you on the different types. Still, one thing is familiar with body pillows, and it’s the fact that they provide support, comfort, and relief. Each shape and size is unique and would be best for specific uses and individuals.
How To Use A Body Pillow Based On Their Type
In general, a body pillow is what you’ll use to support a specific area in your body. It can also relieve pressure and avoid body pain if used correctly. Below is a discussion of the different types of body pillows so you can identify how to use them the best way.
Cylindrical body pillows
If you think of a body pillow, the first thing that comes to mind is the cylindrical one. These narrow-shaped pillows are comfortable to add to your bed because they don’t take much space. However, they come in different sizes so you can get a suitable one for your height.
These cylindrical body pillows are useful for supporting your neck or relieve the pressure from your shoulder. Some users also place it between their knees with arms wrapped around it to help them sleep in various positions. This way, your spine is still neutral and keep yourself in the ideal sleeping posture.
Rectangular body pillows
Another fairly common type of body pillow is the rectangular-shaped type. It comes in many sizes, but the standard ones are usually 20 x 54 inches. This makes it ideal for average adults since the pillow can cover their chest to ankles.
Similar to cylindrical body pillows, rectangular body pillows are excellent to keep the spine well-aligned. You can wrap your arm around it or place the pillow between your knees to prevent back pain or postural issues. It can help you maintain a neutral spine regardless of the position you’re in.
Special body pillows
When shopping for body pillows, you have probably seen other shapes besides cylindrical and rectangular. For example, pregnant women can benefit from U-shaped body pillows because this shape can support their head, neck, and back. Remember that the comfortable sleeping position for pregnant women is to their side, which is also beneficial for the circulation of their baby.
However, a U-shaped pillow will also help keep them from rolling to their back to keep them safe. Back sleeping is not recommended during pregnancy because it can worsen back pain and cause problems with the fetus’s blood supply. With the U-shape pillow, you can place your head at the curve, with one pillow arm supporting your back and the other, your arms.
A smaller option for those with smaller beds is the J-shaped body pillow because you can still use it to support the head, neck, and back. Place the straight arm between your legs and lay your head at the curved end. Finally, those who require back and frontal support from sleeping at the side can use a C-shaped body pillow with the top end for your neck and head and the bottom end in between your thighs.
Considerations When Using A Body Pillow
As mentioned earlier, pregnant women must sleep on their side both for their comfort and their baby’s health. This is best after 20 weeks to support their head, legs, and belly with just a single pillow. However, those who want to correct posture issues or avoid them altogether should select a body pillow that is firm and can line your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles correctly.
What about those suffering from back pain or arthritis? Sleeping with a body pillow should help keep your spine neutral and ease the pain. On the other hand, having support will also relieve those with arthritis since the body pillow takes the pressure off your muscles and joints.
Finally, you can comfortably sleep on your side and avoid breathing problems from sleep apnea with a body pillow. The right type for you should keep you from falling on your back. More so, sleeping with support should help those with snoring problems.
Conclusion
Maintaining a proper sleeping posture is crucial to avoid body pain and health issues. Learning about body pillow how to use each type will help you achieve this. You can classify it into cylindrical, rectangular, and shapes ranging from U, J, and C pillows.
Their shapes make it easy to reach spots in the body that a traditional pillow can’t. More so, those with specific conditions such as pregnancy, postural issues, back pain, arthritis, sleep apnea, and breathing issues can all get relief with the proper placement of body pillows. They should maintain the ideal sleeping posture, regardless if you just need some support or have a specific medical condition.
All of them can help you maintain your spine neutral and relieve pressure in body areas. They also come in different sizes to choose what will fit in your bed and work well with your height. Overall, using them will depend on where you want to support, and what shape will help you reach all those areas.