Along with a whole host of other serious health concerns, smokers are very likely to snore. This means that you are not only damaging most of your internal organs by smoking, you are also greatly hindering your body’s ability to naturally repair itself while you sleep. It definitely shouldn’t surprise you that smoking causes snoring [...]
Orthopedic Sleep Apnea Pillows: Do They Work?
There are special orthopedic pillows available that may reduce or eliminate snoring and sleep apnea. These anti – snoring pillows all work on the same basic principle, by realigning your head and neck in order to clear your airway while you are sleeping. Some people may have better results than others with these pillows, and they tend to be more effective at treating mild snoring cases. In any event, this is a good first step to take in order to reduce snoring.
For Back Sleepers
There are many different snoring pillows available, and the first step to take in order to choose the right one for you is to decide whether you are more prone to sleeping on your side or your back. Now, as has been discussed on this site elsewhere, sleeping on your back greatly increases your risk of snoring. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t sleep on your back with a specially designed pillow. There are many cases where you may be able to alleviate your snoring and sleep on your back, especially if you are only a light snorer. In this case, you should be looking for a pillow that has a large support under the back of the neck, and a concave section for the back of your head. Pillows designed in this fashion are effective because they pull your head back and naturally align your neck and airway. This type of pillow may even help reduce any neck pain you may have.
For Side Sleepers
This second type of snoring pillow can help those whose snoring isn’t so mild. Sleeping on your side is a great way to reduce snoring by itself, however, you can greatly increase your chances of success by using a pillow that fully corrects your side-sleeping posture. Generally, this type of pillow will require you to sleep with your head angled slightly downward. This is very effective, because it uses gravity to prevent your tongue from blocking your airway. Gravity will also be gently pulling your chin forward, increasing the size of your airway.
Cons of Orthopedic Pillows
While these anti snoring pillows may work for some, they don’t work for everyone. Some people find that the positions and alignments influenced by the pillows are uncomfortable, and they are less apt to use them regularly. That being said, it is certainly worthwhile to at least try one out to see if it helps you, because it is definitely one of the easiest and most economical snoring remedies available.
Here is a List of Some of the Most Popular Sleep Apnea Pillows:
The Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow
The Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow was primarily designed to keep your spine and body in alignment while you sleep. This alignment also has the added benefit of keeping your airways open and decreasing your snoring. Here is the manufacturer’s description:
Features of the Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow: Unique, tri-level design incorporates two correct pillow shapes into one pillow to provide correct spinal alignment whether sleeping on our back or side. Surface channels provide air circulation. Soft, molded foam is non-allergenic and environmentally friendly. Wedge extension supports your upper back. Cervical contour maintains the natural curve of your neck. Center cavity cradles head for optimal support and comfort. Raised side sections accommodate shoulder height. Contoured head rests keep your head and neck level. Side cavities provide flexible cushioning; ensuring jaw comfort, which is essential to TMJ sufferers.
This specific pillow has many great reviews on Amazon.com. You can read them all here: Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow
The Arc4Life Cervical Traction Pillow
This Arc4Life pillow was also primarily designed as an orthopedic pillow, however it also works great as a snoring remedy. Please read through the manufacturer’s description:
You spend approximately 1/3 of your life sleeping. Are you getting the most out of your sleep? Use the #1 NECK PILLOW. The Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow can help restore the normal neck C- curve, help you improve your posture, and relieve back and neck pain. The Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow offers superior comfort, and provides the proper ergonomic support while you sleep- there is nothing like it on the market. It is non-allergenic, machine machine washable, latex free and fits most standard pillow cases. Used by chiropractors and health professionals all over the world! The special V shape in the neck pillow cradles your head and gently lifts your head away from your shoulders (much like a massage therapist would do for you). At the same time, the neck roll underneath supports your neck. While sleeping on your side, the generous, soft wings keep your head at the right height from the mattress, to relieve strain on your neck and shoulders. It works for you, sleeping on your back or side.The pressure releases, muscles relax and pain goes away. Designed to work for back and side sleepers. Flip top to bottom to use the neck roll support only. You can use the pillow every night and for the whole time you sleep. The more you can use it the better. However, some individuals may need to gradually increase the usage in stages because of some muscle soreness from such a change from their previous pillow. The Cervical Traction Neck Pillow is comfortable-it is hand stuffed with the best polyester fiber available- its non allergenic and calibrated to the most universally accepted firmness for balance of softness and effectiveness. Use the traction side for sleeping- thus giving your cervical spine a gentle stretch or the support side for sleeping.
This pillow also has a lot of great reviews. Feel free to read through them here: Arc4Life Cervical Traction Pillow
The Sleepright Side Sleeping Pillow
The Sleepright pillow has air channels built in so that the pillow material is cleared away from your mouth and nose. This is a great feature to look for. You can view the reviews for this pillow at Amazon,they are mostly good, although many people note that the pillow takes some getting used to. But if it works, it’s more than worth the slight and temporary discomfort.Here’s the manufacturer’s description:
SleepRight Side Sleeping Pillow —– State of the Art Design —– The SleepRight Side Sleeping Pillow has three important design features, which distinguish it from all other memory foam pillows. The full facial cradle reduces pressure points on the jaw and ear. This means increased blood flow to the facial dermal cells while sleeping, reducing the tendency for facial tissues to crease or sag. The 12-degree shoulder cradle accommodates the acute agle between your head, neck, and shoulder while sleeping on your side. You will experience significant improvement in your spinal allignment between the neck and back. The anatomical shoulder cradle will reduce the body weight impact on the shoulders, increasing blood flow to the arms.The left and right airway system will allow you to experience improved breathing. Some users have reported a reduction in snoring.
How does the SleepRight Side Sleeping Pillow work?
The Visco-elastic memory foam conforms to your facial contours by taking an impression of your head and neck anatomy. This greatly minimizes the unwanted side effects of pressure points, which is a benefit unavailable in regular pillows. As your head settles into the full facial cradle, the memory foam will softly conform to your personal anatomy. The memory foam will automatically adjust to your body temperature and head weight as your head and neck stabilize in its resting place. When equalization between head weight and the elasticity of the memory foam is achieved, your head and neck posture will be ideally aligned with your spinal column. We guarantee our pillows to be made of the highest quality memory foam available with a 5-year warranty.
You can view the reviews for this pillow here: SleepRight Side Sleeping Pillow
The Tri-Core Orthopedic Support Pillow
The Tri-Core pillow is another good choice that may reduce your snoring. It also works by correctly aligning your head and neck to support unobstructed airflow. Here’s the manufacturer’s description:
If you constantly wake up in the morning with a headache, have neck pain or can’t seem to get comfortable when you sleep, your neck is telling you that you need more support. To solve this problem, we’ve researched the best ergonomic product solution for you. This Orthopedic Standard Size Support Pillow is a premier, fiber-filled ergonomic pillow that provides the highest quality cervical support available. It supports the neck vertebrae in a natural position and reduces nerve pressure on the neck to reduce muscle stress and tension for a more restful sleep. As you sleep, it cradles your neck in its most natural and neutral position. By conforming to the normal curvature of the neck, the Pillow cradles the head and neck. This position helps open obstructed airways that often cause snoring. Great for sleeping on either the side or on the back! Available in white only. Due to hygiene purposes, this item is non-returnable.
This pillow has a lot of great reviews as well, though some of the reviewers note that it is very firm. Read them here: Tri-Core Orthopedic Support Pillow
The Snore No More Pillow
The Snore No More pillow is specifically designed to reduce snoring, and also works by correctly aligning your head and neck in order to clear your airway. It’s made out of foam and has a cut-out for your shoulder in order to facilitate sleeping on your side.
Marriage aid! Reduce your snoring with the Snore-No-More Pillow. Designed by a physician, this revolutionary Pillow improves sleeping posture and reduces airway obstacles that can lead to snoring and sleep disturbance. Snore-No-More is as comfortable as a “regular” pillow, yet it aids in proper sleep positioning AND it’s made with hypo-allergenic premium pillow foam!
Read the reviews for this pillow: The Snore No More Pillow
Some Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Your Pillow
When choosing an anti snoring pillow, it’s very important to remember that every person is different. A Product with great reviews is more than likely a good product and a great place to start, but not every person will respond to every product in the same way. Your best solution may turn out to be the one that might not have worked for others, so don’t place too much importance on their reviews. The best way to find out which pillow works for you is unfortunately trial and error, and many stores do not accept returns on pillows so make these decisions carefully, but make them, as these pillows really do help a lot of people as you’ll see in the reviews.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
can you send me a price list for your sleep apnea pillows please and which would be best for me…..i have mild obstructive sleep apnea and try to sleep mainly on my side.
Dawne, check out the sleepright pillow listed above. Pillows can be purchased through the links on the page.
{ 2 trackbacks }