A pillow is an essential ally for getting a good night's sleep with maximum comfort and maintaining good physical health —but you still need to choose the model that best suits your needs. The filling, firmness, thickness, and size are all factors that influence a pillow's quality, making it even more difficult to choose the right one.
Among all the pillow models available on the market are ergonomic pillows. Made of memory foam or latex, these pillows are gradually gaining popularity among sleepers who suffer from neck and back pain, even after a good night’s sleep. If you’re considering a memory foam pillow, we’ll outline the pros and cons of this type of product to help you make an informed decision.
What is a memory foam pillow?
An ergonomic pillow designed to provide ideal support for the body
First and foremost, it’s important not to confuse memory foam pillows with ergonomic pillows. Ergonomic pillows can be made of memory foam or latex.
An ergonomic pillow offers more comfort than a traditional pillow, benefiting people who experience neck, shoulder, or back pain as soon as they wake up. In fact, it helps to:
- maintain a natural position while lying down;
- maintain the alignment of the spine;
- distribute the body's pressure points.
Depending on your needs and sleep habits, you'll need to choose the shape, size, thickness, and firmness of your pillow—not to mention the type of filling.
Several materials can be used for the filling of an ergonomic pillow and for the design of the pillowcase. Here, we will focus on the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam.
The Principle of Temperature-Sensitive Viscoelastic Foam
Memory foam differs from other materials in its viscosity and elasticity. In this respect, a product made of memory foam behaves somewhere between an elastic solid and a viscous liquid. Under the weight of the upper body (head, nape of the neck, neck, and shoulders), the memory foam pillow deforms gradually and slowly.
To better understand how memory foam behaves under stress, it’s important to know that it was originally used to absorb the shocks astronauts were exposed to during takeoff.
Memory foam is also distinguished by its thermosensitivity: it absorbs the body heat of the sleeper as well as the heat from the room. Under the influence of this heat, the foam reacts in such a way that it perfectly conforms to the contours of the upper body.
The promise of improved comfort and support
The memory foam pillow moves with you, conforms to the shape of your upper body, and provides support for your neck and nape throughout the night. It thus relieves pressure points in your upper body (head, nape, neck, and shoulders) and promotes ideal muscle relaxation for a restful sleep free of neck or back pain. In fact, the principle is exactly the same with a memory foam mattress.
If you decide to buy a memory foam pillow, you’ll need to determine the density that best suits your needs. These needs are directly related to your sleeping position. The higher the pillow’s density, the firmer it is. So, the goal is to find the level of firmness that’s right for you by choosing:
- a soft pillow, ideal for people who sleep on their stomachs;
- a pillow that is neither firm nor soft, suitable for side sleepers;
- A firm pillow, perfect for people who sleep on their backs.
Regardless of your sleeping position and body type, a memory foam pillow should provide you with enhanced support and comfort, as well as better sleep posture over the long term.
Problems related to moisture, heat, and maintenance
Very often, because of its closed-cell structure, memory foam does not allow for properair circulation, which traps heat and causes moisture buildup.
During heat waves, or for people who tend to sweat at night, memory foam pillows will not provide the comfort needed for a good night's sleep.
In addition, moisture contributes to the proliferation of bacteria and dust mites, which can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, as well as create an unhealthy sleeping environment.
When it comes to caring for a memory foam pillow, it can be tricky if the pillow doesn't have a removable protective cover. In fact, to avoid damaging the foam, the pillow should never be machine-washed: it's best to choose a model with a removable cover to help maintain a high level of hygiene.
A chemical compound that is harmful to both the environment and human health
The manufacture of memory foam from injection-molded plastic requires the petrochemical processing of petroleum-derived products, as well as the use of chemical adhesives.
As a result, memory foam emits volatile pollutants (volatile organic compounds) that impair air quality and can have health effects of varying severity. This issue is particularly problematic when it comes to memory foam pillows intended for use in a baby’s or young child’s bed.
If you decide to purchase a memory foam pillow, make sure it is Oeko-Tex certified: this guarantees that the harmful substances used in its manufacturing process do not exceed regulatory limits.
From an environmental standpoint, memory foam is far from being the most eco-friendly material. Memory foam pillows are not manufactured in France, which means your pillow will have traveled a long distance before reaching you. There are many alternatives that are more eco-friendly, healthier, and offer better value for money, including ergonomic pillows made of natural latex.
All things considered, the choice of pillow model is entirely up to you: if possible, look for a company that offers a free trial period so you can test the pillow and form your own opinion before making a decision.
We recommend these other pages:
- How to Choose an Ergonomic Pillow
- How to Choose a Neck Pillow
- How do you choose a pillow for a child?
- How do you choose a pillow for a baby?
- How to Choose an Orthopedic Pillow
- Should you choose a firm pillow?
- How to Choose a Flat Pillow?
- When should you choose a feather pillow?
- What size pillow should you choose?