Body Pillow – What Are Its Benefits ?

Body Pillows, do you know what they are? As they are still a relatively new concept to a lot of people who may have heard of them, but who are not exactly sure what they are. Plus many people will not have heard of them at all, so if that’s you, you will not know of their benefits too! Benefits including getting more sleep, pain and discomfort reduction or elimination, allowing better quality sleep.

Most people when they think of pillows will have the image of a rectangular shape pillow or cushion used to support the head and neck, for sleeping in a bed. These will commonly be filled with feathers, duck down, foam or similar synthetic material. Body pillows can have many of the same fillings, but their shape and size is considerably different, they are also a lot more versatile than a conventional pillow.

The best way to understand what body pillows is to see photographs, otherwise think of the old fashioned “bolster pillow”, which was a long more tubular type of pillow the width of a double bed. These were often used more like body pillows especially by children, they could not only be used to support the head, but they were long enough so that they could also be hugged and gripped between the knees a the same time too.

The essential point about body pillows is that they are designed to be used for supporting other parts of the body besides the head and neck. There is no set shape; rather they are designed for specific purposes in a range of shapes to match their purpose. Shapes typically include, “L shape, “U” shape, “C” shape and “S” shape, with various other shapes in between.

As with ordinary pillows the type of filling can vary. If you are an allergy sufferer there is a good range of

hypoallergenic body pillows out there. It is even possible to get hypoallergenic versions of natural fillings such as duck down or feather if you prefer their feel to man made fibers.

Probably the biggest growth area for body pillows has been in the maternity sector. Pregnant women especially in the later stages of pregnancy can have problems getting comfortable during the day and have difficulty sleeping at night. Manufacturers have come out with a range of pregnancy body pillow designs to meet the special needs of a pregnant woman.

Due to the many changes resulting from pregnancy, a women’s body endures a lot of physical stress that can manifest itself as aches and pains and tiredness through lack of sleep. As well as the obvious changes of shape and increased weight caused by a growing baby, hormones soften the connective tissues in the pelvis in readiness for childbirth. All these changes can cause pain or discomfort particularly affecting the hips and lower back.

The pregnancy body pillow also called maternity pillow can be designed to help support the swollen belly and or lower back. Plus placing the pillow between the knees and thighs can help painful hips. The pregnancy pillow is contoured in such a way as to make getting this extra support as easy as possible.

People also suffering from rheumatism and arthritis can similarly benefit from the extra support a body pillow gives the back, hips and shoulders. With some people particularly appreciating the special qualities of memory foam body pillows.

Now to see just what body pillows look like, find more information on body pillow benefits use the links. Also see a selection of the pregnancy pillow designs too.

Body Pillow

Body Pillow Benefits

A Body Pillow has Great Benefits for Many People. The body pillow can also be designed for use as a pregnancy pillow or maternity pillow, it is a total body pillow that aids sleep by providing support in areas of the body that other pillows don’t reach, thus allowing a comfortable position to be achieved with just one pillow. Anyone can benefit from a body pillow, male or female, if they have problems sleeping because of physical discomfort and where additional support would help, even on a temporary basis after injury.

Apart from the bolster pillow, the body pillow and the way it is used has only really gained popularity in recent years in the West, whereas in Eastern cultures body pillows in various forms have been in more common use for longer, often in the form of comforters that are hugged in bed whilst sleeping.

You will find that this type of pillow, the body pillow, will be advertised, because of its versatility, under a number of names apart from those already mentioned above. Although the designs might vary, if tailored for a specific market, the basic design is akin to the bolster pillow.

The bolster pillow is a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with feathers, down, cotton or fiber in European countries, to provide head and body support and more commonly in Eastern countries it is also a pillow that is hugged as a comforter that also aids sleep.

Originally these pillows were filled with a range of natural products including such things as straw, down, feathers, cotton, fiber, hemp and bamboo, some of which are still popular for those who like their products to be as natural as possible. However for those who suffer from allergies there is a range of hypoallergenic versions to be found in many designs, even ones containing feathers and down. Down is still regarded by many to be the best filling because of its softness and moldable properties. Down it is likely to be the most expensive of fillings, therefore you will often find down is combined in various ratios with feathers for more affordable prices.

Basic Pillow Design

As in the traditional bolster design a long slim pillow usually loose filled with natural or synthetic materials that you mold to your own requirements.

Side Sleeper Pillow

The side sleeper body pillow comes in a range of whole body length designs with “C”, “J” and “U” shapes designs common. As the name suggests this pillow is designed to suit people who sleep on their sides by providing extra support and take pressure off shoulders, hips or knees. This may prove particularly useful for people with arthritic or rheumatic joint conditions.

click problems that can be helped by a body pillow for further information.