Posture pillows are supportive cushions that are designed to help the back maintain good posture, with shoulders retracted and the base of the back curved slightly. These types of pillows are generally made from polyester fiberfill, polyurethane foam, or pumped with air for travel. Posture pillows are quite versatile. They can be used for a wide range of activities such as sitting in a car, working at a desk, or sleeping. Slouching causes stress on the back bones, particularly the spine by compressing the discs and pinching sensitive nerves leading to pain. This causes tension in one’s back and can result in tension headaches. Keeping proper posture by using a posture pillow is very easy and satisfying to use.
Car seat and desk chair pillows come in two varieties and both generally have a strap on the posture pillow to attach to a car seat or chair. This model of posture pillow is beveled and square shaped, thin at the center and thicker at the edges, making a groove that supports the back. In terms of dimensions, this pillow is roughly 13 inches by 16 inches (33 by 41 cm) and can be between 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) at the thickest sections. The second kind of posture pillow is essentially a small thin cushion with flat sides which is propped up against the chair, and the rounded edge is where the back rests. This pillow should be put at the center of the back to keep the lower back in proper alignment since it will curve gently inward.
Posture pillows for sleep are intended for back or side sleeping, and both types can be used to maintain proper alignment of the spine and good posture when sleeping. This will help alleviate tension felt in the back over the course of the day, prevent snoring, promote good posture and result in better sleep. The posture pillow for side sleeping is U-shaped, with one side of the “U” protruding further than the other. When sleeping, the curved part of the pillow needs to be placed beneath the head to support one’s neck, the shorter arm holds the face up and the longer arm supports the spine by running down the back. The dimensions of these types of pillows are roughly 16 by 23 inches (41 to 58 cm), and are about 5 inches (13 cm) thick.
Lastly, the back-sleeping pillow has a square shape with a groove cut out where the neck should be placed and a bowl shape crater where the head should rest. These pillows gently maintain the head and neck in a posture that aligns the spine. In terms of size, posture pillows for back-sleeping are roughly 11 by 15 inches (28 by 38 cm) and 3-5 inches thick.
Getting a good night’s rest is crucial, especially if you have to work at a physically demanding job where you have to lift things all day. In fact, you may even want more posture support to help you out during the day, and not just at night when you sleep.