Don’t always blame it on “stress” when you can’t sleep well. It may be because you chose the wrong pillow!

"I can't sleep well, I can't fall asleep, and I wake up with backache. Is there something wrong with my pillow?" On April 12, Mr. Chen came to the outpatient clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine for help with such questions. He didn't come to see a fracture or joint dislocation, but took out his mobile phone to show the doctor the various pillows he had bought at home.
Mr. Chen is a clerical worker who has been working at a desk for a long time. Due to long sitting and improper sleeping posture, his cervical spine gradually developed problems. In order to improve his sleep, he tried many pillows and even asked relatives and friends to help try them out, but he never found the "ideal pillow". "Doctor, I really want to have a good sleep." He said with a wry smile.
In this regard, Zheng Xianbo, deputy chief physician of the Second Department of Orthopedics of the hospital, pointed out that with the accelerated pace of life and the increase in long-term sitting at work, cervical spondylosis is gradually becoming younger. Choosing a suitable pillow is a "top priority" that everyone should pay attention to.
"When choosing a pillow, the material is crucial." Zheng Xianbo pointed out that pillows of different materials have different support characteristics and applicable populations. For example, polyester fiber pillows are softer and more comfortable, suitable for most people; memory foam pillows can adjust their shape according to a person's body temperature and weight to provide personalized support; latex pillows are more elastic, can reduce neck pressure, and are also suitable for people with allergies; and people who like hard pillows can choose buckwheat pillows with strong support.
"In addition to the material, the height of the pillow cannot be ignored." Zheng Xianbo further reminded that when sleeping on your back, it is recommended to choose a pillow with a height of 5 to 8 cm to fit the natural curvature of the neck; side sleepers are suitable for pillows of 10 to 15 cm, which can effectively fill the gap between the head and shoulders; as for prone sleeping, it is not recommended to use it for a long time. If you are really used to it, you can use an ultra-thin pillow to avoid oppression on the cervical spine.
In addition, in daily use, you should also pay attention to the cleaning and maintenance of the pillow. Long-term use of pillows will accumulate dust and bacteria, and even deform and lose support, so it is recommended to replace them regularly. At the same time, avoid placing the pillow in a humid environment, and regularly dry and pat it to help keep it fluffy and elastic.
"A suitable pillow is like a 'tailor-made support' for the cervical spine." Zheng Xianbo suggested that when choosing a pillow, one should not only look at the material and brand, but also pay attention to personal sleeping habits and the condition of the cervical spine. If necessary, one can consult a doctor for professional advice. Only by choosing a pillow scientifically can one sleep peacefully.