Can a Wedge Help Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is painful. It's uncomfortable, it makes it difficult to sleep. And at its absolute worst, no matter what you eat or when you eat it, you can feel the repercussions. 

How you sleep, however, can work to combat these same side effects each and every night; one of the best ways – you guessed it – is by sleeping on a wedge. Whether it's a specialized pillow , or pillows that are propped up and made into their own makeshift wedge, sleeping on an incline allows you to use gravity in your favor. 

Acid reflux is caused by stomach contents (along with acid) that creeps back into the esophagus. This is most common when eating heavy or spicy foods, as they require more time and effort from the stomach to break down and digest. This slightly more vigorous process can mean acid that's felt higher into the chest and resulting in pain. 

One of the best natural methods of combatting the acid reflux process is with gravity. Giving acid a steeper slope to climb before it's felt up into the chest will help naturally keep it down in the stomach. 

A wedge also provides a comfortable sleeping surface so you can rest soundly while combatting the pains of acid reflux. (In contrast to home remedies that require uncomfortable positions or staying completely upright.) This can allow for ample amounts of sleep that are uninterrupted by pain, and all while receiving quality support. 

Can a wedge help with acid reflux? Absolutely, and with an incredibly easy fix. If you're a regular sufferer (or even an occasional sufferer), consider this simple and effective healing method. Talk to your doctor to learn more, or ask a Contour Living representative about your wedge pillow options today. 

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Wedges and Elevations for Different Conditions: Low-Level Inclines

You've heard that sleeping on an incline can help with various symptoms. Whether suffering from heartburn, recovering after a recent surgery, or just looking to reduce cold symptoms the natural way, there are an incredible number of ailments that can be helped by lounging on an incline. There's no doubt about it. The tricky part, however, is determining just how much of an incline you need, and what type of relief each level can provide.

First and foremost, talk with your doctor. After you've gotten their advice, you can work to find the best level for healing and comfort. You can also take personal preference into account – if you like a lower wedge, you might not be able to gain sleep on a more severe incline, and so on. Then it's time to look into what each height will best help solve.

Lower inclines – most often used for comfort, these short wedges are most often used for neck and back alignment. Use them to ensure your spine is settling as it should throughout the night. It's a simple move that can eliminate back pain, muscle aches, as well as headaches. 

Place these lower incline wedges under the rear to alleviate pain in the lower back and weight displacement. They can also be used for feet in order to increase blood flow back into the legs. This is most common after a knee or leg injury, and should be used with doctor approval. 

Why it works – by offering the back a proper resting surface that works with it, not against, you can keep your bones in proper alignment throughout the night. Unfortunately, when we fall asleep we can jar into all types of positions that disrupt the bones, which can then cause ongoing pains from being out of place. The wedge also works on other areas of the body by providing support at a gentle angle.

To learn more or start browsing, head to our wedge pillow page today. 

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