Sleeping on a wedge pillow benefits your joints, muscles, and whole body in general. Let’s discuss just a few ways a wedge pillow can help you.

Benefit #1: combatting acid reflux

The first benefit of sleeping on a triangle wedge pillow is its ability to combat GERD and acid reflux. By elevating your upper body at least 7’’, you make it substantially harder for stomach acid to backflow into your esophagus. An incline pillow will offer you immediate relief and improved sleep quality whether you suffer from hiatal hernia, GERD, or acid reflux.

Benefit #2: decreasing sinus drainage

The second benefit of sleeping on an incline wedge is its ability to decrease sinus drainage and improve breathing quality. Because your head is elevated on a wedge pillow, your sinuses drain with the assistance of gravity. This works well for anyone with asthma, allergies, or any sinus and breathing difficulties.

Benefit #3: help with sleep apnea and snoring

The third of many benefits of sleeping on a wedge pillow is it can assist with sleep apnea and decreasing snoring. Look for a contoured upper body wedge which will support your torso fully so you can sleep comfortably on your side. Sleeping elevated and on your side positions your throat muscles in a way that can lessen snoring and improve breathing quality.

Benefit #4: relieve back pain

A fourth benefit of sleeping on a wedge pillow will highlight the use of a knee wedge pillow. An under knee wedge pillow will support your legs while sleeping on your back. Sleeping with your legs elevated at least 8 inches will relieve back discomfort and pain. Even if you are not currently experiencing back discomfort, you should never sleep flat on your back because of the strain it puts on your lower spine.

Benefit #5: improve circulation and decrease swelling

Finally, the fifth benefit of sleeping on a wedge pillow is its ability to reduce swelling. A leg elevation pillow that is contoured, will cradle your legs above your heart and allow gravity to assist the fluid out of your legs. You can comfortably recline for 15 minutes at a time or rest there all night and feel the difference it makes in your legs.

A wedge pillow is an effective, all-natural home remedy for many different conditions. They also are great positional tools to support your body in the best position while you sleep.

There are so many wedge pillow benefits, hopefully you can take what you learned and figure out which wedge pillow or pillows are right for you!

-Hillary Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy