ASK THE EXPERTS

Q

I am having trouble with neck pain and backache and have been advised to look for a new pillow. What should I be considering when buying a pillow?

A

Jenni Jameson, business development manager at Tempur Mattresses and Pillows (za.tempur.com), says:

“When considering your pillow, you need to think about your sleep position, your body weight and your mattress so as to choose the correct one.

In terms of a sleep position, you may fall asleep on your side but spend most of the night on your back, or fall asleep on your back or stomach and remain that way. Each position requires unique support for your neck and shoulders to keep them aligned and reduce neck pain.

Those who sleep on their side need an ergonomic pillow to fill the gap between ear and inner shoulder and support the neck, whereas people who sleep on their backs require support for their upper shoulders and neck. Sleeping on your stomach is not optimal for your body; however, there are specifically shaped pillows that can support your chest and neck area and keep them aligned, thereby reducing the impact of twisting your neck and compressing your organs if you sleep on your stomach.

You also need to consider your body size. The breadth of your shoulders influences the height of your pillow, especially if you sleep on your side. Generally, men require a bigger pillow than women do.

The firmness of your mattress also influences the height of your pillow. A very soft mattress will make your pillow feel higher as you ‘sink into’ the mattress, for example. Lying on a mattress similar to the one you have at home is paramount when you are choosing your pillow.”