Were you so excited to start sleeping on your triangle foam wedge pillow, only to find that you keep sliding down it during the night? Let’s learn how to stop sliding down your wedge pillow, so you can get the sleep your body needs!
Why you slide down your triangle foam wedge
If you were to drop a ball onto the highest part of your triangle foam pillow, it would roll down the wedge, right? This is because of the effects of gravity on the ball. The effects of gravity on your body are similar, the difference is, your body is not completely round. Because your body is not completely round, you won’t roll down your wedge pillow, but you may slide down it a little bit during the night!
This can be a difficult thing for some people to navigate, and it can lead to frustration, discomfort, and loss of sleep. However, you can position yourself in ways to avoid sliding and in turn, maximize your foam triangle pillow experience!
How to stop sliding down your wedge pillow
Anytime you introduce an angle (via a foam triangle) to your sleep position, gravity will want to slide you down. Your job is to outsmart gravity by using… you guessed it! Smarter positioning!
The most important tip for preventing your body from sliding down your triangle foam wedge is this: use a knee wedge pillow. When you use a knee wedge pillow, it counteracts the downward gravitational pull on your body from the foam triangle. The knee wedge pillow essentially cradles your body and re-aligns the gravitational forces so your body stays put.
This position is optimal for three reasons:
- It is the perfect position for the spine.
- It allows the hips to be an anchor point for the rest of the body.
- It counteracts the downward gravitational pull on your body and prevents it from sliding down the wedge.
Be sure that when you lie on your triangle foam wedge, your head is resting on a neck pillow. Also remember that your glutes should be resting against the mattress. Positioning yourself like this ensures proper spinal alignment and forms a sturdy base that is less likely to slide.
For side sleepers
Did you know that there is a triangle foam wedge made especially for side sleepers? If you enjoy sleeping on your side, but need to sleep on an incline, this is a great option for you. The contoured nature of this pillow allows you to be in a comfortable position that minimizes movement and increases comfort.
To prevent sliding down a contoured pillow, use a leg separator pillow. This has a similar effect as a knee wedge pillow in that it positions your lower extremity in a way that counteracts gravity and prevents sliding!
I hope you feel relieved to know there is a way to stop sliding down your triangle foam wedge during the night! Start fighting gravity, today!
-Bryan Blare, Doctor of Physical Therapy