Many people find it difficult to find the right head position for a relaxed sleeping posture. Back sleepers in particular often try out many pillows and are still not really satisfied with their sleeping situation. This is usually because we do not adopt an orthopaedically correct posture during sleep.
Orthopaedically appropriate and relaxed lying - what does that look like?
The upper part of our spine is exposed to multiple stresses every day. It bears the entire weight of the head and is responsible for our upright posture. If we look at the back as a whole, the neck area is particularly susceptible to tension.
Our modern way of life, in which we sit a lot and look tensely at a screen, contributes to this susceptibility. Tension can be prevented by taking breaks during the day, moving more and having an ergonomically designed workstation.
Many people hope for further relaxation for their neck and cervical vertebrae, especially during sleep. The position of the head when lying down is very important. Basically, the corresponding vertebrae and muscles in the neck area can only regenerate during the night if the cervical vertebrae area is not overstretched again, as is the case with various incorrect postures during the day.
With an anatomically correct head posture, gravity ensures that the vertebrae are correctly aligned in their intended position and that the mass between the vertebrae is nourished by the corresponding tensile forces. To achieve this, the head must form a straight line with the rest of the body when lying down, i.e. lie flat. When sleeping on the side, on the other hand, the head must be adequately supported so that the desired alignment can be achieved.
The usual feather pillow or no pillow - not optimal support
Typical feather pillows do not allow the head to lie flat in the supine position, but instead cause an arbitrary, alternating stretching in the neck and nape area.
Even when lying on the side, the head does not get the support it needs because feather pillows provide a very yielding base and can again cause stretching.
If a sleeper does not use a pillow at all, this is not only unusual, but also causes an anatomically tense sleeping situation and tension, especially in the lateral position. It is not possible to prevent regular tension in this way.
Experience with viscoelastic pillows/pillows, the ideal head support
If the head support is to prevent tension, it must simultaneously enable a flat lying position in the supine position and offer the side sleeper adequate support for their sleeping posture on both sides.
People change their position during sleep, so it is not always relaxing if the pillow only supports one position. Furthermore, the pillow must ensure that the sleeper feels comfortable during sleep, which in particular requires temperature-regulating qualities in a pillow.
A particularly pleasant, cooling surface also ensures that you relax while you sleep. The pillow should be neither too soft nor too hard; ideal elasticity ensures that the pillow can adapt to the individual side sleeper and "memorise" their personal sleeping position.
Flexpillow - not a typical pillow
Flexpillow is made of visco-elastic foam. Its special shape allows the back sleeper to lie perfectly flat on the surface so that the cervical vertebrae do not have to strain during the night's sleep.
This is achieved by a recess for the head in the centre of the pillow. When sleeping on their side, Flexpillow provides side sleepers with the support they need to sleep comfortably on their side. This means that the needs of both back sleepers and side sleepers are taken into account. At no time is an unnatural lying position assumed. The spine does not bend and the vertebrae are not overstretched. They can realign themselves during sleep.
Flexpillow also has a small, mobile neck support that allows you to gradually get used to resting your head flat on the mattress when lying on your back.
