The answer to the question of what is a contour pillow is it’s simply a memory foam pillow with a unique shape. The name itself contour means that your pillow has curves that are ergonomic for optimal comfort and support. Contour pillows use a whole block compared to shredded memory foam pillows that use smaller pieces of the material.
You can expect it to follow regular dimensions like those of a bed pillow in terms of sizes. Sleeping on a contour pillow is more suitable for specific positIons compared to your typical leveled surface pillow. Learn more about this product below.
What Are Contour Pillows?
One can classify contour pillows as a type of memory foam pillow. However, these pillows use solid memory foams and not the shredded variety. Manufacturers reshape a single block of memory foam, hence the name, contour pillow.
Because of its unique shape, the contour pillow is gaining popularity among sleepers. You can even find it in regular pillow sizing such as standard, king, and queen. Furthermore, there are different contour pillows in the market so that you may find your sleeping habits’ ideal shape.
What does a contour pillow look like? While there are various shapes in the market, this pillow’s familiar look involves having an upper ridge and a lower ridge. This way, the crease in the middle can cradle your head, and the crease at the bottom will support your neck to ensure that your spine is well-aligned.
Ensures proper sleeping posture
Perhaps the most significant benefit that one can gain from sleeping on a contour pillow is ensuring that your spine is in a neutral position. Remember that if we sleep with a poor posture and deviations in our spine, we risk waking up with pain and general discomfort. To ensure that your neck is aligned with the rest of the body and you are well-supported, you need to fill the gap between it and the mattress.
The contour pillow’s overall shape and curves will conform to your head, so your position stays natural throughout the night. And because it uses memory foam, it will adjust to the user uniquely. This is excellent, regardless if you suffer from chronic pain or not.
Relieves pressure
The pain alleviation you’ll get from using a contour pillow will also relieve pressure in various body points. In particular, it targets the neck and back when you’re lying down. Because of its shape, the contour pillow supports your body’s natural curves to improve your sleep quality.
There are also different types of contour pillows, and you’re not limited to the ones you can lie your head on. Some have curves that make them ideal for placement between the legs. This way, you can relieve pressure on the hips and encourage a neutral spine when sleeping on your side.
Who Should Use A Contour Pillow
In general, both back and side sleepers can use a contour pillow and benefit well. However, you must avoid using this pillow if you sleep on your stomach. What is the explanation behind this?
Back and side sleepers
Sleeping on your back is well-recommended by health professionals because it’s close to the body’s natural position. However, using a pillow with no neck support keeps it from being at the same level as the rest of your body. Therefore, use the pillow’s smaller ridge to fill the gap under the neck and have the edge close to your shoulder.
On the other hand, side sleepers can use the higher ridge to fill the neck gap. Remember that sleeping on your side is also good, especially for specific conditions and health issues. However, you still need to support your neck, so it doesn’t deviate from the spine.
Why can’t stomach sleepers use the contour pillow?
Sleeping on your stomach is not an ideal position in the first place because your neck turns too far away. Therefore, sleeping with a high loft pillow like a contour pillow will further encourage spine misalignment. Instead, use a flat pillow or none at all for your head and place a pillow on your pelvis region for support.
How To Find The Best Contour Pillow For You?
Besides considering your sleeping position, the next vital factor when buying a contour pillow is the materials. For starters, select the one that uses high-quality memory foam to guarantee good support and pressure relief. Remember that investing in premium products is more cost-efficient in the long run since they will last longer as well.
Another crucial material in the contour pillow is its cover. Memory foam is known for being heat absorbent, so you want to remedy it with a breathable pillow cover. You can also find a fabric that is easy to clean and maintain since you’ll be washing it more often than the contour pillow itself.
Conclusion
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the different types of pillows. For example, what is a contour pillow? This is a pillow with a curved surface from the name itself, usually made from a block of memory foam.
This might be the perfect pillow for you if you sleep on your back or side. The ergonomic shape supports the neck and ensures that your spine is straight during sleep. However, it’s best to skip this pillow if you sleep on your stomach where a flat pillow is more appropriate.