Memory Foam Pillows Guide

Benefits

• People with chronic neck pain may find relief when using a memory foam pillow. Because the pillow adjusts to the user's head and distributes the weight evenly, no part of the head and neck has excess pressure exerted against it. Allergy suffers may benefit from using memory foam pillows as well. Dust mites, a leading cause of allergies, cannot survive in the visco-elastic material because there is nothing there for them to feed on. Those with sleep apnea get relief because the pillows allow them to position their head so they can breathe properly. The visco-elastic material is also flexible enough to allow comfortable use of a sleep-apnea mask.

Density

• Memory foam pillows have differing foam densities. Manufacturers measure memory foam density in lbs. per square foot. Typically, consumer products range in the 3- to 6-lb. range, with 4 being the most common. Lower-density foam pillows may be softer, but because the foam is less dense, they wear out more quickly. Higher-density foam conforms to the user's head in a more uniform way and offers more consistent head support.

Styles

• Contoured pillows are the most common style of memory foam pillows. Both lengths of the pillow are two different thicknesses to allow for individualized neck support. A trough down the middle of the length allows for comfortable head support. The contoured pillow allows sleepers to maintain the proper curvature of the neck and spine while they sleep on their back or sides. For people with sleep apnea, manufacturers are now selling contoured pillows with cutouts for the breathing equipment. Memory foam pillows are also available in standard-style pillows. If you like to fluff your pillow, a shredded foam pillow may be preferable, although it may not have the same memory capabilities as a solid pillow. When purchasing pillows, buy the size that's appropriate for your bed.

Sleep Position

• Side and back sleepers should consider purchasing a contour pillow for proper head support. Stomach sleepers don't benefit from contoured pillows. Instead, they should purchase a standard-style memory foam pillow or a shredded memory foam pillow.