How to choose a pillow core

Most people have this common sense: “Sleeping soundly does not mean being worry-free.” High or inappropriate pillows can cause cervical spondylosis. In fact, in addition to this, pillows also have a certain degree of impact on the lumbar spine. The pillow is the main tool for maintaining the normal position of the spine, especially the cervical and lumbar vertebrae when the human body is in a lying position, that is, maintaining the natural curve of the human body itself. If the pillow is too high, it can cause flexion of the cervical spine and put the muscles of the waist and back in a state of high tension, thereby straightening or eliminating the physiological lordosis of the lumbar spine, straining the soft tissues of the waist and back, increasing the pressure in the intervertebral joints, and causing posterior protrusion of the nucleus pulposus or aggravating the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. If the pillow is too low or no pillow is used, the lordosis of the cervical spine will be too large, the spine cannot maintain its normal state, and the lumbar spine will be burdened unnecessarily. Therefore, improper selection of pillows can also cause low back pain.

For normal people or patients with low back pain, the pillow should be harder. Using buckwheat husks, cattail fluff, kapok, mung bean shells and other materials as fillings can make the pillow of more appropriate hardness. The height of the pillow should be equal to or slightly lower than the height of your fist after the head and neck are pressed down. The best shape is a ingot shape with a low middle and high two ends.

What kind of pillow is good for sleeping?

Speaking of pillows, people often think of the idioms "sleeping with a high pillow" and "sleeping with a high pillow and no worries", believing that it is better to sleep with a high pillow. In fact, a high pillow is not good for people, but a suitable pillow can help relax the whole body, protect the neck and brain, and promote and improve sleep. Therefore, when choosing a pillow, you should pay attention to the following points:

(1) Height: Modern research shows that the height of the pillow should be slightly lower than the distance from the shoulder to the neck on the same side. The height of the pillow is determined according to the physiological curve of the seven cervical vertebrae in the human neck. Only by adapting to this physiological curve can the shoulder and neck muscles, ligaments and joints be relaxed. A pillow that is too high or too low is harmful. A high pillow hinders blood circulation in the head, which can easily cause cerebral ischemia, snoring and stiff neck. It is not as people often say "sleeping high means no worries"; a low pillow causes congestion in the head, which can easily cause swelling of the eyelids and face. In particular, when suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease, it is better to choose a suitable pillow.

(2) Length and width: The pillow should be slightly longer, and the length should be enough for a sleeper to turn over his or her body. The pillow should not be too wide. If it is too wide, it will exceed the head and neck joints, causing muscles to become tense. 15 to 20 cm is appropriate.

(3) Softness and hardness: A pillow with moderate hardness and a little elasticity is best. If the pillow is too hard, the relative pressure between the head and neck will increase, causing discomfort in the head; if the pillow is too soft, it will be difficult to maintain a normal height, causing the head and neck to lack support and become fatigued; if the pillow is too elastic, the head will be constantly affected by external elastic force, which can easily cause muscle fatigue and injury. Therefore, the pillow cores are generally made of rice husks, buckwheat husks, kapok, feather flakes, loose foam glue, etc. They are soft and hard, slightly elastic, and beneficial to sleep and health.