Memory Pillows

The modern rhythm of life requires quality rest. Therefore, so much attention is paid to the comfort of bedding. Oropedic pillows with a memory effect are one of the achievements of modern orthopedics. They appeared relatively recently and not many people know about this innovation. Before you purchase such a thing, you need to familiarize yourself with its characteristics.

What is an orthopedic pillow with a memory effect?

An orthopedic pillow with memory (English memory foam pillow), it’s a memorial pillow, is, at first glance, an ordinary rectangular pillow. However, its shape differs from the classical one: on the sides of this pillow there are two rollers - bigger and smaller, thanks to which the spine does not overload and relaxes, and the memorial form filler remembers the contours of your body, perfectly adapting to you. In the middle there may be a recess for the head. Such a pillow affects sleep quality and overall health.

This gives several effects at once:

sleep and cerebral circulation improves,
muscle load decreases
morning headaches go away
morning circles under the eyes go away.

Such a pronounced effect is achieved due to the characteristics of the material to take the form of a human body. This thing is useful for people with cervical disc problems. On sale there are a large number of low-quality products with low-grade fillers. Therefore, when buying, you need to pay attention to the internal content. Good products contain quality fillers.

There are three types of fillers:

Latex. It is a natural product derived from rubber. Has a foamed structure. The product has elasticity and bactericidal properties.
Polyester in the form of balls. Lightweight material that makes the pillow especially comfortable and breathable. It can be washed in a washing machine.
Material Memori Foam (memorial form, or memorix). Artificial material based on viscous polyurethane foam (PUF). It easily takes the form of a sleeping person and reliably supports its neck, adjusting itself and creating the so-called memory effect. Excellent ventilation of the pillow with PPU foam due to the porosity of the structure.

Features of Memory Foam Filler

This material has advantages and disadvantages. We will get acquainted with all the pros and cons of the filler memorial forms.

It does not lose its shape and elasticity due to its strength and wear resistance.
It dries quickly.
The material is breathable. It’s not stuffy to sleep on it.
Keeps warm for a long time, even if the room is cool.
It supports the head well.

Material is afraid of washing. At the same time, its porous structure is broken and loses its properties.
The presence of contraindications.

There are many different types of pillows with memory. They differ in size, rigidity and shape. It is necessary to have some idea of them, so as not to make a mistake in choosing.

For adults

For an adult of a strong physique, the size of 50 cm by 70 cm is optimally suitable. For thin, short people, it is better to choose a size of 40 cm by 60 cm

It is important to determine the height. It depends on the width of the shoulders: the larger this value, the higher the pillow. Usually, the height does not exceed 17 cm.

The orthopedic pillow is equipped with rollers that differ in size. The wider the shoulders, the longer the roller should be.

There are various forms of these products on sale - for every taste. The best shape is rectangular. She well preserves the natural position of the body and helps to relax.

Some models have a small indentation in the center for the head. This allows you to relax more and "plunge" into sleep. The therapeutic effect is achieved by the property of the filler to take the form of the body.

The choice of stiffness depends on the sleeping person's favorite pose. A medium-strength memory pillow is suitable for sleeping on your back. On your side, it’s better to sleep on a harder one, and on your stomach - on a softer one.

For kids

When buying pillows for children, not only size and shape play a role, but also workmanship. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the correspondence of the size of the product to the age of the child. For different age categories there are limitations. When choosing, consider the following:

Be sure to inspect the product and find out from the seller its composition and certificate of quality of the material. It must be properly stitched and free from contamination or gusts. If there are signs of marriage, it is best to look for another option.
You can check the quality of the filler by clicking on the surface of the pillow. If after clicking the form is not restored, then it is not of high quality.
Children's models with zippers are more practical. Such products can be removed and washed cover. This also allows you to monitor the condition of the inside under the cover.

Orthopedic pillows are usually given to children due to various problems. With scoliosis, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy and strabismus. They are good for prevention. Pupils simply need such a sleeping accessory. Doctors recommend that all children from three years old sleep on such pillows.

Such devices are sometimes recommended for newborns. There are important points that you need to know if an orthopedic pillow is prescribed for a newborn baby.

For newborns

Kids need it in the following cases:

If the child cannot turn his head in different directions, but only in one direction. This pathology is called torticollis.
Violation of the tone of the neck muscles.
Deformation of the skull or injury to the cervical spine during childbirth.
Bad nose breathing.
With frequent regurgitation. The pillow holds the child on its side.
Improper development of head shape due to rickets.

The size for the baby is selected minimum, and the shape depends on the destination. These nuances are indicated by the doctor in the recommendations. Without a doctor’s prescription, such a thing should not be used until the age of two. Unjustified use at an early age leads to various spinal deformities. At this age, it acquires a natural shape of bends and it is important not to disturb this process. Otherwise, you can harm the health of the child.

Popular manufacturers, prices

Today, on the market of bedding, you can buy products of both domestic and foreign production. The price for them is different, depending on the size, quality of the filler and the manufacturer. The cost of orthopedic pillows with a memory effect varies from 500 to 30 thousand rubles. Popular rating of manufacturers (places are randomly distributed) you can see below:

Fosta (Fosta)

American Fosta pillows cost from 4200 to 5100 rubles. Polyurethane foam is used as a filler. This ensures environmental safety and enhanced memory effect. Suitable for different ages. The size of the pillow is 60x40 cm. The height is different.

Luomma (Luomma)

Pillows from Finland. Luomma products are considered to be elite and have more than 20 models, different in quality, comfort and durability. They are effective for advanced osteochondrosis, stress and fatigue.

Photo: Luomma orthopedic pillow with memory effect and shoulder recess

Other manufacturers

On sale you can also find pillows from Ormatek, Ikea, Ascon, Rivera, Sissel, Hilberd, Memorysleep, Primavelle, EcoSapiens, Tempur and other manufacturers.

For well-being you need a healthy sleep. Many people use this product and have already experienced a positive effect on themselves. An orthopedic pillow with a memory effect will be useful if you choose it correctly.

What?

The effect of memory or memorix is the property of the filler to take the form of the human body, and in the absence of pressure to return to its original form. The development of a material with such properties was undertaken in the space industry in the 70s of the last century in order to reduce pressure on the muscles and skeleton of a person. Innovative technologies have come into the mass production of orthopedic products for sleep and rest, first medical products, and subsequently consumer goods.

Manufacturers offer all-new enveloping effect fillers protruding parts of the human body, the so-called plasticine effect for orthopedic pillows, which serve to unload the cervical spine. Innovative pillow materials maintain their shape, supporting all the muscles of the cervical spine, and in the absence of pressure restore their original shape in 4-10 seconds.

The properties of pillows with synthetic or natural fillers with a memory effect allow you to maintain a deep phase of sleep for a long time, reduce the number of turns from side to side, provide good blood circulation.

Benefit and harm

Pillows with memory have undoubted benefits:

improve sleep quality
allow the body to recover and relax in a shorter period of time,
reduce headaches, ensuring proper blood circulation,
unload the muscles of the neck and back,
help reduce pain from osteochondrosis.

Despite the useful properties of pillows with a memory effect, negative nuances from their use are also possible. The harm from the use of such pillows is allergic to the filler material. Synthetic materials, environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic, high quality products have a European certificate confirming the safety of the filler composition (CertiPUR). But to reduce the cost of the filler material, some manufacturers can use additional components:

formaldehydes
chlorofluorocarbons
Mitene Chlorides

These substances are carcinogens.

The composition of the natural filler used in memorix pillows can cause allergic reactions, especially in people prone to allergies.

Indications and contraindications

Memory pillows do not have a medical prescription. But factories producing such products actively cooperate with medical and orthopedic centers.

They give recommendations on the use of this product for sleep in such cases:

problems with the spine (scoliosis, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, lordosis, etc.),
injuries of the cervical and upper spine,
muscle spasticity and increased muscle tone,
violation of the blood supply to the brain,
recovery after operations and injuries, as well as when long bed rest is necessary (after a stroke, a serious operation, with a concussion),
rehabilitation period after any types of injuries and medical procedures,
migraines, headaches, dizziness,
physical inactivity (limited movement or sedentary work most of the day).

Using a pillow with a memory effect is not prohibited for absolutely healthy people.

Indications for the use of memory pillows are very extensive.

However, there are contraindications in the use of this product:

an allergic reaction to the components of the filler,
high air temperature of the room, since there may be a greenhouse effect,
uncomfortable sensations from the enveloping effect of a filler with a memory effect.

A generally accepted classification of pillows does not exist. Each manufacturer brings its own assortment of pillows, differentiating them in shape, purpose, decorative properties.

The following types of pillows can be distinguished according to their purpose:

Classic - with the usual fillers from feather, bird fluff, foam rubber, holofiber, synthetic winterizer,
Orthopedic - products with a special innovative filler, which contributes to the prevention and treatment of back diseases, as well as concomitant diseases associated with insufficient blood supply to the vessels of the brain,
Anatomical (ergonomic) - products that attach and fix the anatomically correct position of the cervico-shoulder region and collar zone,
Rollers - Devices for a short rest in the afternoon on a sofa, sofa, in a hammock,
Medical - the filler of such pillows consists of natural herbs that provide aromatherapy treatment. To enhance the aromatherapy of herbs and increase the service life of the product, the filler is impregnated with essential oils. Therapeutic pillows are used in the homeopathic treatment of insomnia, migraines, immunity support, etc.
Decorative - an element of decor in the design of the room.

Orthopedic pillows for sleeping under the head with memory foam filling are classified:

flat
with a roller
with uneven rollers of different or equal stiffness.

What is the secret of memorial pillow?

The main advantage of pillows with a memory effect is their heat-sensitive filler, which is often referred to as memory (memori), memoryform (memoriform), memory foam. It is made from specially treated silicone, polyurethane or latex, which as a result acquires viscoelastic properties.

All memorial materials have a foamed structure: inside there are many small air balls that are separated by thin membranes. When you lie on a pillow with memory, your own heat makes these partitions more elastic, and the pillow bends, but only where it comes in contact with the body and heats up. And the remaining unheated part of it retains elastic properties, due to this, and provides the muscles with reliable support.

When you remove your head or neck from the pillow, it restores its shape, but very slowly. Why? The partitions, which become elastic when heated, cool down and return to their original position gradually, within a few seconds. So, if in a dream you often change your body position, turn your head and shift from side to side, the pillow with each of your movements will delicately envelop your body, doing it smoothly, maintaining a calm sleep.

Thanks to this mechanism, you will feel that your head is floating in zero gravity: it seems to lie on a pillow, but at the same time, the special filler does not create back pressure on the body, but supplely takes its shape, carefully supporting the neck as well.

How to choose a pillow with memory?

Depending on your preferences and medical indications, you can choose a soft, medium hard and hard pillow. For example, lovers of sleeping on their backs are better off staying at a stiffer version, but a lower height. And for those who sleep on their sides or belly - on soft or medium hardness to reduce pressure on the vessels.

There are also memorial pillows of various shapes: rectangular, oval, round, wavy, with additional rollers and recesses. For fans of the classics make pillows stuffed with granules of material with a memory effect.

For sleeping on the back, rectangular pillows are considered the most comfortable, because they support the correct position of both the head and neck. If you sleep on your side, look at the pillows with a recess under the shoulder - the height of the pillow is selected taking into account the width of the shoulder. There are also pillows for sleeping on the stomach. These are star-shaped - they gently support the head and shoulders, but do not interfere with free breathing.

Benefits and Indications

Compare: even the softest feather or sintepon pillow will not give you a special feeling of "weightlessness". You will feel as if you are drowning in something soft, and it will be nice. But at the same time, such materials are not able to support your muscles, because a feather or a synthetic winterizer easily bends under your weight, and a tightly cushioned pillow is not able to adapt to the anatomical bends of the body.And this affects not only the immediate pressure zone, but also the surrounding areas, too. From this, the muscles still remain in static tension, and the desired complete relaxation does not come.

Pillows with a memory effect help muscles to truly relax throughout the night: blood vessels do not pinch and actively supply oxygen to the head.

Reviews of such pillows with the right option are the most enthusiastic. Especially from people who are familiar with spinal problems - osteochondrosis, injuries of the cervical vertebrae, pinching of nerves in the neck, spondylarthrosis, spondylosis of the spine. This is a convenient thing for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and because of this complains of tension pain in the neck. And for bedridden patients, a pillow with memory is simply an irreplaceable thing that reduces the risk of bedsores and stagnation of blood circulation.

Therefore, a pillow for sleeping with a memory effect can be called an indispensable guard of good rest during sleep.

Let's start from the beginning or what are pillows for?

A full sleep without a pillow under the head is impossible for many. And this is understandable! For a comfortable stay, an adult needs a suitable mattress, the “right” temperature in the room and a comfortable pillow that levels the distance between the ear and the extreme point of the shoulder, especially in the side position.

How does a “memory” pillow work?

A pillow with a memory effect was originally created with an eye on maximum comfort. This effect is achieved through the use of innovative materials that can adapt to the anatomical features of the structure of the body of any person.

In what cases is the purchase of a pillow with a "memory" necessary

According to reviews, orthopedic pillows with a memory effect are suitable and comfortable for the vast majority of people who bought it. In some cases, they are a “cure” that cannot be dispensed with. Memorial pillow is necessary for people:

suffering from morning migraines and dizziness,
pain in the cervical spine,
diseases (protrusions, hernias, infringements) and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, especially in the cervical region.
circulatory disorders caused by vascular diseases.

Orthopedic pillow with the effect of "memory" under the head facilitates the course of the above diseases, and also serves as their prevention.

Does she have any flaws?

Despite the large number of obvious and undeniable advantages, the product is not without some drawbacks.

Some people may not like the so-called “plasticine effect” when the head and face seem to be stuck in the product. This effect can be reduced by putting a pillow in an extra pillowcase made of satin or medium density cotton fabric.

The likelihood of acquiring a low-quality product is another minus. The high popularity of products with a “memory” encourages unscrupulous manufacturers to save on quality materials. High-quality polyurethane foam is not dangerous, but some manufacturers can add dangerous additives to it to reduce the cost - formaldehydes, fluorocarbons or polybrominate ester (diphenyl).

Reference! These chemical components can cause allergic reactions up to a serious deterioration in health. And although such cases are extremely rare, it is still preferable to purchase products from trusted manufacturers with a good reputation. An additional argument for a “safe” purchase is the logo from the independent CertiPUR laboratory. The European safety standard ensures that products, whether it is a pillow, mattress, or other upholstered furniture, do not contain harmful, dangerous substances.

A bit about product shapes

On sale there are many variations of comfortable and ergonomic shapes of pillows:

flat (squares and rectangles) - with different heights and sizes,
with one-sided roller (roller height may be higher or lower depending on the model),
with the presence of two differently high rollers ("wave"),
with a notch under the shoulder or head,
rollers and semi-rollers (under the legs or lower back),
wedge-shaped (for legs and arms),
specialized (from snoring),
low star-shaped (for sleeping on the stomach),
in the shape of a bagel, bagel, horseshoe (this option refers to orthopedic pillows with a memory effect for travel).

Which form to give preference

In most cases, the choice of form depends on personal preferences and wishes. So, for example:

if you prefer to sleep on the sides and back, take a closer look at products with two rollers of different levels (wave forms),

if most of the night you sleep on your stomach, you need a low and soft (almost flat) pillow, or star-shaped,

sleeping on the back will be comfortable on a model with one or two rollers.

Reference! There are also children's orthopedic pillows with memory effect. Since the purchase of a model for the baby is a fairly responsible task, first you should consult with a pediatrician, as well as get acquainted with articles written by experts and dedicated to this topic.

How to choose a manufacturer

Products with a memory effect are produced by all the leading manufacturers of upholstered furniture. To say that one manufacturer is significantly superior to another would be biased. Moreover, many of them use the same fillers and production technologies (except with minor modifications).

That is why some examples are presented below (not the top orthopedic pillows with memory effect).

Respecta by Trelax

The Respecta orthopedic pillow with memory effect adjusts to any position. Available in three sizes - S - M - L (height, respectively - 10 cm - 12 cm - 14 cm). Equipped with two rollers with different heights. Viscoelastic polyurethane foam is used as the material. According to the manufacturer, the material is artificially saturated with Ag (silver) ions. It is completed with a removable cover from cotton. The warranty is five years (and six months for a pillowcase).

The average price for a Trelax orthopedic pillow with a memory effect is about 4250 thousand rubles.

Trives 105

Domestic manufacturer with a good reputation and a wide product line. This model has a smooth surface, which is quite nice for the face. An interesting feature is the adjustable height. This function is achieved by the presence of two additional removable elements that allow you to adjust the ideal height. It has an innovative pillowcase, equally comfortable in winter and summer. The filler material is viscoelastic polyurethane foam. 100% cotton case.

On average, the cost of an orthopedic pillow Trives with memory effect varies in the region of 2300 thousand rubles.

MEMOFORM COMFORT

Italian manufacturer of quality sleep products. The products have a 24 month warranty. Filler - viscoelastic foam. The case is made of Coolmax fabric. The pillow has a number of European certificates - Oeko tex, Geo Ethic, Tuv, Lga.