20 Questions About Wedge Pillows Answered

A wedge pillow offers support to your upper body, resulting in a more comfortable night’s sleep. Because of the comfort they deliver, people are replacing their standard pillows with them. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about wedge pillows.

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What Is a Wedge Pillow?

Wedge pillows are unique triangle-shaped pillows that elevate the upper portion of your body as you sleep. The purpose is to offer adequate support to the head and neck, thereby alleviating multiple health issues. 

Like ordinary pillows, wedge pillows can be made of any material, although foam and latex are the most common.

What Are Wedge Pillows Used For?

There are various health benefits of using a wedge pillow, including the alleviation of the following conditions:

Backache

Back discomfort can occur due to a variety of causes, but the most common cause is stress on the pelvis and spine.

Bedroom wedge pillows, which are trapezoidal and have a steeper slope than standard pillows, can rectify this misalignment. Wedge pillows have also been shown to be highly helpful in relieving tension in those with upper back discomfort.

Post-Nasal Drip

The Winter season, allergens, and the worldwide pandemic collectively contribute to sinus problems. Because the slope helps your body drain properly, sleeping on an incline can help ease numerous sinus conditions, including post-nasal drip.

Snoring

Snoring is caused by many different reasons, including oral and nasal anatomy, alcohol intake, allergens, and body weight. Whatever may be the cause, it is believed to be less common in people who use wedge pillows.

Acid Reflux / Sleep Apnea

Acid reflux is induced by stomach acid accumulating at the back of the esophagus and is worst at night when you sleep horizontally. Some people may develop acid reflux, cough, or suffocate in their sleep if they are not properly elevated. 

Check out the best pillows for acid reflux here

Leg Pain

The wedge pillows are made to stimulate better leg circulation and relieve knee and back discomfort. They can be used to recuperate from leg problems like knee pain, ankle strain, or foot injury, without requiring any adjustments; simply place your feet over them.

Pregnancy 

When you’re pregnant, getting a decent night’s sleep might be difficult. Sleeping on your side is the healthiest position at this time. A wedge pillow can be tucked between your legs. This will help to support your lower spine and stomach. This will help you sleep better by allowing you to rest on your side. You will find the cheapest pregnancy pillows here.

Is It Good to Sleep on a Wedge Pillow?

Gravity acts against our respiratory systems when we sleep horizontally, which can cause your airway to collapse. This might cause sleep apnea, which is when regular sleeping patterns are disrupted. A wedge pillow softly readjusts the body, preventing these problems.

Post-nasal drip is produced by phlegm pouring down the throat and into the passageways, and it can cause problems during sleep or even when you wake up. This might result in a persistent cough, including one that never goes away!

A wedge pillow gives the upper body only enough elevation to keep mucus from accumulating at the throat. As a result, irritation and aggravation are reduced, leading to improved general health.

A wedge pillow can help people with back discomfort by providing just enough incline to arrange the pelvis and spine in the proper spinal posture. Wedge pillows are more beneficial for those with upper back discomfort than for those with chronic low back pain.

A wedge pillow protects patients with nocturnal asthma from the negative effects of gravity by preventing blood from collecting in the lungs. It safeguards us from any respiratory problems we could have.

What Is a Wedge Pillow Made Of?

The standard wedge pillows comprise a wrapped foam block. Unlike packed and jammed pillows, which distort over time, the block is carved in a perfect wedge shape and will hold its shape for a lengthy period.

Wedge pillows, which are constructed by stacking foam sheets into a wedge form, are also available on the market. 

Foam, polyester polymer optical, or a combination of both can be used to make these pillows. Latex foam is colder than memory foam, but it might cause allergies in people who are sensitive to latex.

The Foam Wedge Pillow comes in different heights and is long-lasting and dust mite-resistant. As a result, this pillow is ideal for back sleepers.

Wedge pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:

• Flat: Back sleepers will benefit from wedge pillows with an undercut. They can also assist with leg support.
• Curved: The curved top of these pillows is ideal for side sleepers.
• Expandable: Variable wedge pillows come with several choices for changing the angle and elevation. Some patterns can be folded.

Memory foam pillows conform to your body, making them great for better sleep in terms of material. Wedge pillows made of traditional polystyrene foam are stronger and more supportive.

Which Is the Best Wedge Pillow Material?

While there isn’t a lot of diversity in wedge pillows, there are a few variations in quality and manufacturing that can influence how they function: 

Memory Foam: Memory foam is an ultra-supportive polyurethane foam that conforms to the body shape in response to pressure and heat. As memory foam provides a suited, softened experience, this leads to exceptional pressure relief.

Polyurethane Foam: Often known as polyfoam, it is frequently seen in wedge pillows. This kind of foam returns to its original shape faster than memory foam, though it might not conform as well. For longevity and stability, most wedge pillows are made up of dense, solid polyfoam.

Flat: Wedge pillows come in a tapering, triangle form with a flat or curved face. A flat pillow is preferable for side sleepers and others who want to keep the pillow between their legs.

Contoured: The surface of a contoured pillow is curved. Ideal for side sleepers because it follows the contours of the head, shoulders, and backbone to maintain the spine balanced. It can also help to reduce stress in certain regions.

How Long Do Wedge Pillows Last?

Wedge pillows, like other pillows, can survive up to 3 years. However, the quality and thickness of foam used in a wedge pillow, as well as how frequently the pillow is used, affects its lifespan. 

Several wedge pillows arrive with guarantees that cover flaws in material and construction, as well as how long the manufacturer intends the pillow to last.

A good general rule for polyesters is that they last 1 – 2 years, depending on the quality of the product and their use. Since they can be cleaned regularly, it is recommended to wash them every 6 months. 

It’s more than an inconvenience if your pillow starts to feel lumpy, flat, and thin. That old and essentially dead pillow could be causing severe discomfort in your head and neck, and a lack of proper alignment can lead to problems with your neck and shoulders, as well as tiredness.

Can Wedge Pillows Prevent Acid Reflux?

Yes, a wedge pillow can help prevent acid reflux. When you sleep on your back using a regular pillow, acid can easily flow up from the stomach and then into the esophagus. To avoid this, a wedge pillow will slightly raise the neck, shoulder, and torso.

Gravity prevents acid from rising up the esophagus, thus maintaining the upper body at an angle can assist in keeping it in the stomach. This can help with acid reflux at night. 

A wedge pillow may be used when resting on your back or side without producing any neck or head discomfort. Most pillows in the marketplace are 30 to 45 ° raised or 6 to 8 inches high.

Are Wedge Pillows Good for Side Sleepers?

Yes. Wedge pillows are substantially longer and wider than standard pillows, making them a perfect companion for side sleepers with all the health benefits they come with. Wedge pillows provide strong support and comfort. Additionally, they can sustain repeated use, especially if they are made of memory foam, which is a substantial material. 

Is a Wedge Pillow Good for the Legs?

Using a wedge pillow is good for blood circulation in the legs. They are used as leg elevation pillows and raise the legs to a point above the chest for better circulation and reduced pressure on the back. The high-density foam provides firm support, relief, and comfort.

Chronic pain, knee problems, distended blood vessels, venous thrombosis, and muscle spasms can all be relieved by using a leg wedge pillow. It is recommended by medical professionals since it conveniently raises your knee and ankle without painfully stacking pillows under them. It allows for a quick and comfortable recovery after surgery.

How Effective Are Wedge Pillows for Snoring?

A wedge pillow often aids in the reduction of snoring. However, the effectiveness of one of these pillows in preventing snoring is dependent on the reason and other circumstances that influence your episodes.

Because wedge pillows are primarily used to alleviate postural concerns, using one would only assist if your snoring bouts are caused or aggravated by poor sleeping positions.

As a result, the problems that a wedge cushion may help with are relatively restricted. A variety of factors can cause snoring, and wedge pillows will likely give little relief for many of them. A wedge is used to treat physical problems such as a crooked nasal septum or airway obstruction caused by extended tonsils or soft palate.

How Do Wedge Pillows Help With Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea patients frequently sleep in a recliner chair. A few people also use blocks underneath the bed stools to elevate the top of the bed. Also used is an adjustable bed with the head elevated thirty degrees. For many people, this alternative is either excessively expensive or impossible.

The wedge pillow provides the same results as the approaches mentioned. In the supine position, it can help with gastric reflux, infections, snoring, breathing difficulties, abdominal swelling, blood circulation, neck or spinal difficulties, or other respiratory problems.

Wedge pillows are recommended by sleeping specialists when it is necessary to raise the head while sleeping. When resting on your back in a reclined position, gravity will help you.

Does a Wedge Pillow Cause Neck Pain?

No, it’s quite the opposite since using a wedge pillow will help you get rid of neck pain. Most people have experienced neck pain as soon as they wake up at least once. It can strike without warning and is frequently caused by lying on an unsuitable pillow.

The wedge pillow is ideal for neck discomfort and will support your head while keeping your spine straight and airways clear.

We typically leap into bed without any regard for our mattress and pillow. Without realizing it, we get adapted to our sleeping environment, which might trigger pain and discomfort.

The pillow you sleep on might have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Although wedge pillows specially made up of memory foam are too hot to sleep on, they are more supportive than hollow fiber pillows. These ultra-supportive pillows keep your spine straight for a better sleep experience. 

Can Sleeping on a Wedge Pillow Hurt Your Back?

No, they are suggested by medical professionals for people suffering from back pain. While sleeping, we frequently twist and flip between our stomachs, sides, and back.

Some people may have back discomfort in the morning as a result of not keeping their spine in the perfect position. A wedge pillow, preferably one made of memory foam, combined with an inclination presses the pelvis and vertebra to keep the spine aligned.

How Do Wedge Pillows Help With Aches and Pains?

A wedge pillow is designed to support your neck and back, restoring postural stability as a result. You may use it at home, in your vehicle, or even at the workplace to ensure that you are sitting in the correct position.

A shredded foam wedge pillow is also good for sleeping since it conforms to the shape of your body without compromising firmness. This allows you to maintain proper posture irrespective of whether you lie on your side, abdomen, or back.

Some people prefer to slip a second pillow wedge under their knees to give extra support for their lower spine, pelvis, thighs, and knees.

Should Pregnant People Use Wedge Pillows?

This pillow is suitable for use both during and after pregnancy. There are two kinds of wedge pillows available for pregnant people: a circular wedge cushion and a triangle wedge pillow.

Such pillows may be used for support under the stomach or behind the back while lying on your abdomen or sideways. You could also use them as regular pillows.

How Often Should Wedge Pillows Be Replaced?

If you can’t think of the last time you replaced your pillow, now is a good opportunity to do so. A basic rule of thumb is that you should do so at least once every 2 – 3 years, if not twice a year, according to most experts.

This ensures that you are utilizing pillows that are firm, clean, and allergen-free. It’s also crucial to look after your pillows if you want them to last. You’ll be able to know when it’s time to change your pillows in general.

Why Do Some Wedge Sleeping Pillows Emit a Strong Smell?

Wedge pillows, especially new ones, have an unpleasant odor if they are made of memory foam.

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the newly made pillows causes this strong smell. These compounds break down and spread in the air, and consumers of every memory foam product will sense a mild odor.

To get rid of the odor, place your wedge pillow in a highly ventilated room for 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes, a strong smell could be because of body oils, cosmetics, food, or other stains. 

If you often experience unpleasant smells, try to wash your pillows at least once a quarter. Frequently removing stains with cleaning detergents is also recommended. 

Why Do You Slide Down a Wedge Pillow?

There are several reasons you might slide down a wedge pillow. We have listed the most common ones below.

• Some sleeping positions can be hampered by the slanting pillow causing discomfort to the person using it who in turn consciously or unconsciously changes their position.  
• Sometimes the pillow does not retain its shape due to body weight and slight movements.
• Due to its 6-10 inches height and 30° angle, it doesn’t always stay under the back during sleeping hours and pushes the person aside.
• Polyurethane, due to its antibacterial, moisture-resistant properties, is the best fabric cover for a wedge pillow. However, polyurethane is slippery on many surfaces and does not cling well. 

How High Should a Wedge Pillow Be?

Specialists recommend 7 – 8 inches as the optimal height for a wedge pillow. Such pillows usually have an angle of 30 to 45 degrees or roughly 6 to 12 inches of loft. In our opinion, a wedge pillow with a semi-slope of 35 to 40 degrees is best for people with acid reflux and sleep disorders.

Where Can You Buy the Best Wedge Pillows Online?

On the following websites, you can buy the best wedge pillows available in the market :

• Amazon
• Etsy
• Home Depot
• Walmart

Choose from a selection of brands, pillow sizes, and pricing points to suit a range of budgets.