What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a term that's often heard, but unless you're a lucky individual who has yet to experience it, you might not know exactly what it is. Or, perhaps you've been suffering from the sickness but didn't know what it was called. Acid reflux is a condition where digesting stomach contents (including acid) makes its way back up into the esophagus. This can take place to a varied level of degrees – from instances that are quite mild, to those that are frequent and extremely painful.

Essentially, the throat fails to hold stomach contents in place, or acid forces its way through barrier devices – either way the condition can be uncomfortable, even painful, and can greatly affect one's eating patterns. Acid reflux can also be worsened when eating certain types of foods, or after eating too close to bedtime, as lying down (or even reclining) reduces the help of gravity to keep food within the stomach. Consuming alcohol, rich, or spicy foods can also exasperate the condition. However, some are more prone to its effects due to genetics, which can also cause some of the most severe symptoms.

Acid Reflux and Sleep

In terms of conditions, acid reflux is often most felt at night. This simply stems from body position – lying down allows acid to rise. When food hasn't had enough time to fully digest, those symptoms can hurt even worse; when there's more food, there's more acid that helps break it down (and acid that's more active), which leaves a higher chance for it to leak upward.

Luckily, there are several simple solutions to helping combat acid reflux. Start by eating earlier so your food has more time to break down. Reducing heavy or spicy foods can also help to settle the stomach. Next, sleep on an incline. A wedge pillow can encourage acid to move downward, and increase comfort while you sleep.

Doctor's agree, raising your body 6-8 inches while sleeping can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of:

• Acid Reflux 
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Hiatal Hernia

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Customer Reviews: Contour Ortho-Fiber Pillow

The comments are in! We've tallied them, organized each mention, and decided upon our most useful feedback. And compiled it so you can help make an informed choice as a consumer. Whether you're looking for comfort, back and neck support, or all of the above, we've got you covered. 

Here's what our customers – first-timers and repeat shoppers – have had to say about this top-selling item, the Contour Ortho-Fiber Pillow. Spoiler: it's a Contour favorite; it's not just the customers getting in on this comfy pillow action!

"I bought this pillow five years ago for my husband, his chiropractor recommended it." 

"This pillow is just the right size! Fits my head perfectly and cradles the neck – no 'getting used to' period needed! Seriously so comfortable!" 

"Haven't slept through the whole night forever. I do now."  

"This pillow gives great support to the neck while sleeping. No matter whether I'm on my side or back, I feel supported to ease neck pain and keep my spine in alignment. Welcome replacement for my older model that I've used for a number of years." 

"It would take me forever to go to sleep, then never a restful sleep. Now 10 minutes and I'm asleep and for all night. Great product!"

"I have trouble sleeping so I was looking for a pillow that would help me breathe and not snore. I use the strips on my nose and elevate myself but my chin would drop down and obstruct my breathing. This pillow does just what I hoped. Thanks."

"Love it. I was looking for one for a long time – to replace the one I had." 

"Pillow was comfortable right away. Supports your head and neck and I wake up in the morning less sore. Thanks so much!"

"This is the second Contour Pillow I've owned, loved the first one, had it about two years. Firmness wore out. I will definitely buy another one when this one loses firmness." 

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The Best Sleeping Positions for a Bad Back

When crawling into bed each night, sometimes the worst positions are just the most comfortable. We sleep on our sides, our stomachs, and flop arms into odd angles. Those sleeping positions, however, just may contribute to back pain throughout the day. By stretching the muscles awkwardly or putting weight on the wrong areas, tings can occur several hours later.

To not only avoid pain-causing positions, but to help your back while sleeping, try these three back-friendly set ups. (Even Dr. Oz agrees.)

The Soldier

When achieving “the soldier,” a sleeper must lay on their back through the entire night. Look for a supportive mattress that will hold the rear, spine, and legs in place while achieving this pain-free night of rest.

Note: The soldier should be avoided by those with sleep apnea, as gravity allows the throat to become blocked, which is dangerous for those with difficult nighttime breathing. Back sleeping can also increase one’s chances of snoring throughout the night.

Sleeping Beauty

Graceful as it may sound, the “sleeping beauty” pose offers hard-hitting results against spinal pressure. Lay on your side with the back slightly curved, knees bent, and the arms crossed. Add a pillow between the knees to offer added hip support, or leave as is to achieve a restful position.

This is also considered one of the only side-effect-free ways to sleep – causing no outside pains or snoring tendencies.

Dead Man’s Float

Stomach down and head cocked to the side, the “dead man’s float” offers a position that any frontal sleeper can enjoy. Arms under the pillow can also work to prop the head and offer upper limb comfort.

Over time, this can cause neck twinges, which may or may not manifest in recurring pain. To avoid these side effects, do without the pillow or find another place for the arms. Another pillow under the hips will also prop the lower end of the body, evening out one’s levels. [Dr. Oz]

To gain a healthy night’s sleep, remember to look toward these back-friendly positions during all hours of the night.

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4 Places to Avoid Falling Asleep This Thanksgiving

With a fully belly and a warm house, nothing sounds better than a nice afternoon nap. (This comes after mounting research that turkey causes sleepiness.) Whether a short catnap or lasting for hours on end, this post-dinner pick-me-up is just what eaters need to keep them going post dessert. However, before you curl up on the couch this coming Thursday, consider your other, more back-friendly options.

To avoid a backache this Thanksgiving – along with your bellyache – avoid falling asleep in these common napping locations.

4. The Recliner

Though comfy for sitting short-term, sleeping too long in this lazy-L position can cause lower back pain. Look for a sturdier lumbar placement for a power nap that doesn’t drain spinal support.

3. The Kitchen Table

When full, sometimes it’s just too difficult to stand up and move to a cozier location. Whether slouching in your dinner chair or bent over on the table, this position could cause serious repercussions to your mid-back, neck, and circulation. For the sake of staying pain-free, move to a new area before letting the turkey settle.

2. A Sagging Couch

When visiting Grandma or Great Aunt Nell, the draw to that classic family couch can grow strong. However, a sinking center means no support and little cushion for the areas that need it most. While these retro couches can be great for checking the latest football scores, try and stay awake and seated upright.

1. The Floor

The floor can be a truly awful place to take a snooze – after all it’s hard, unforgiving, and offers zero cushioning. Though stretching out may feel great after a big meal, look for the help of a leg, neck, or lower back pillow to help ease the blow of the hardened floor.

This Thanksgiving, a nap may be a well-earned necessity. However, remember to opt for comfortable, supportive locations to keep your spine in prime working order.

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Achieve Better Sleep with the Right Temperature

Temperature Tune-Up (or Down!)

Much like Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, the temperature must be “just right.” The air temperature of your bedroom, that is. Not too hot and certainly not too cold. Finding a comfortable environment is one key to a better night’s sleep.

 As you’re turning in for the evening, your body ideally has reached  a comfortable equilibrium or middle ground, so when the air is too warm or too cool, the body is then made to work to achieve that “happy medium” it started out with.  Dr. H. Craig Heller, professor of biology at Stanford University says “A mild drop in body temperature induces sleep. Generally, if your are in a cooler room, it is easier for that to happen. But if the room becomes uncomfortably hot or cold, your are more likely to wake up which can also affect the quality dream state of REM sleep."

Recommending a universal room temperature for quality rest sounds simple enough, but realistically, experts find it more difficult as what may be a comfortable temperature for one is not necessarily comfortable for another.  Experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advise thinking “cave-like: cool, quiet and dark, an ideal setting for bats who are known for sleeping 16 hours at a time. They also suggest limit the layers of clothing you sleep in, including socks on your feet as they tend to increase body temperature. 

If your house or bedroom tends to be on the cool, drafty side, trapping cold air, perhaps a personal space heater would warm the room just enough to keep the thermostat bill from creeping too high. Consequently if the room tends to trap heat, keep the ceiling fan running at a constant speed to allow cooler air to circulate at a more comfortable rate. With more than 70 million Americans suffering from chronic sleep disorders and sleep problems, seeking relief from these tips are seemingly necessary and will help increase energy, health and safety.

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Help Me Get Off My Recliner!

No, I am not talking about couch potatoes or lazy people!  According to Kathryne Pirtle, writer for The Weston A Price Foundation, In the United States, sixty million people have acid reflux, or one in five people. Last year, hospitals recorded four hundred seventy thousand hospitalizations and almost two million emergency room visits from acid reflux.   As a result, there are many men and women who end up sleeping all night in their recliners because they have so much trouble lying down, sleeping in their own bed.  Stacking pillows in a huge pile under your head just do not seem to do the trick!  However, over time the recliner will loose its appeal and you will end up not sleeping well anywhere.  The solution is simple, invest in a good bed wedge that will allow you to sleep all night in your own bed and help alleviate some of your symptoms caused by GERD, acid reflux or sleeping disorders.

A wedge is a pillow shaped like a ramp which allows your body to rest in a gentle, natural reclining position.  The most common size bed wedge is 7 inches which is approximately a 20 degree incline starting at your head and ending at your waist.  Often, when you stack pillows to raise your head in bed you end up bending your abdomen in a way they may restrict the digestive tract which in turn, may worsen your reflux or other problems.

If you are recovering from surgery or are required to spend most of your time in bed then a taller wedge of either 10 or 12 inches may be a better choice.  In this case, a neck pillow will be useful to support your head which will allow you to be able to watch television, eat or read in bed comfortably and doze off to sleep when you get tired.

Your GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), acid reflux, belching, heartburn, sleep apnea and other breathing or digestive disorders often prevent you from getting a good nights sleep since they seem to worsen at night.  There are a number of other factors which will also increase the likelihood of a GERD flare-up including weight gain, smoking, certain foods, alcohol consumption, pregnancy and age.   Allowing gravity to help move everything toward your feet by sleeping on a bed wedge may help you get your best nights sleep ever!

Reference:
http://www.westonaprice.org/digestive-disorders/acid-reflux-a-red-flag

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CPAP Therapy Resources

Sleep Apnea patients and CPAP Therapy users - If you haven't heard about our CPAP Pillows yet - please take a look.   Below is a short video on our CPAPMax Pillow - the latest in our line of bed pillows created specifically for CPAP therapy patients.     It allows you to sleep better, accommodating your mask and reducing leaks and pressure points.  

Plus, Contour has a line of CPAP accessories designed to improve your overall sleep experience, from daily cleaners to tubing covers, we have you covered.    You can find the CPAP category of products here:   http://www.contourliving.com/c-38-cpap-supply.aspx

There is also a great facebook resource for CPAP users and Sleep Apnea patients called http://www.facebook.com/CPAPPillow.  Filled with lots of good information on the subject.  Plus, it's great community of users who share their opinions on what works and what doesn't.

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Tips for Enhancing that Wonderful Thing Called Sleep

 

A warm glass of milk before bed is always a calming means to close the end of a busy day. The soothing, warm beverage helps to ease the mind and body for rest. Even if not a milk fan, the notion of something warm before bedtime is certainly worth the effort in order to promote optimal rest. According to the national Sleep Foundation, as much as 64 percent of American adults experience sleep difficulties. That warm glass is sounding more and more appealing.

 

Judith Fertig, contributing author for Natural Awakenings Magazine mentions a concept called “sleep hygiene” in her article, Sleep Aides versus Sleep Sappers. The room temperature, amount of light in the bedroom, fluffiness of the mattress or bed pillow to what dinner consisted of all factor into the quality or lack of quality rest we will receive that night. 

 

Neuropathic physician with Seattle’s Bastyr University, Jamie Corroon suggests staying away from spicy foods, nightcaps (alcoholic beverages) and caffeine. 

 

“Caffeine’s stimulant effect peaks in about one hour and then declines as the liver breaks it down. So, if you go to bed by 11 p.m., you’ll have to stop your caffeine intake by 2 or 3 p.m. to avoid insomnia,” advises registered dietician, Joy Bauer.

 

What are recommended by physicians and neuropaths are nuts and juices, an assemblance of herbs, in tea form or supplement form, a complex carbohydrate of 200 calories or less as a bedtime snack  and of course a warm glass of milk. 

 

Janet Stone, a Registered Nurse working with patients receiving colonoscopy/endoscopy care agrees that a warm, milky beverage is certainly a great sleep aide for the patients she cares for. “We always ensure our patients are calm and relaxed prior to any scheduled procedure. The warm liquid resonates with sleep as most patients drank milk as infants before bed, so that fond memory is reintroduced.”

Brought to you by Contour Living - "We Support You For Life"

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Leg Pillow's "Secret" to a Good Night's Rest

What may be the solution to the start of a long night ahead is properly aligning the neck, back and hips. With the right tool, this can be a quick and easy fix. Simply placing a quality crafted pillow in between the inner legs or thighs is the adequate support needed for proper alignment. Contour Products created a line of leg pillows as a solution.  Try the Contour Leg Memory Foam Pillow, the Original Contour Leg Pillow - a slightly more supportive version with standard foam, or the Contour Secret Leg Pillow which combines a foam core surrounded by a fiber fill layer.

Do you ever find yourself settling in for a nice, relaxing night of rest, laying comfortably in between soft, warm blankets, ready to release the stress of the day but just can't seem to find that perfect "spot?" The pillow isn't fluffy enough so your neck aches. The mattress feels firm laying on your side so your knees and back ache. Tossing and turning seems to be the theme.

Regardless of the leg pillow model, the patented contour design supports and aligns the lower body, relieving uncomfortable pressure from the hips and back, keeping the knees elevated from rubbing one another. These Contour Leg Pillows fit the contour of your legs perfectly, allowing for optimal support and comfort, maintaining the same shape all night.

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The Leg and Knee Pillow for a Better Balanced Body

The Top Five Reasons the Leg Pillow is the Way to Go!

When we think of settling in for a full nights rest, "proper alignment of the knees, back, hips and spine" usually aren't at the forefront of the mind after a hectic day.  As much as we look toward those precious nighttime hours of rest and relaxation to recharge our mind and bodies, the slumber should be of quality, not quantity.  In order to ensure the most out of our time lying down, it is essential that our bodies are correctly aligned. Ensuring unnecessary pressure and tension are alleviated from the lower body during sleep is just as important as not slouching during the day.

The Contour Leg Pillow is the ideal solution to providing the upmost comfort to the lower part of your body, relieving tension and pressure from the knees, hips and back.

1. The Leg Pillow is made of 100% memory foam, with a super-soft velour cover making it a comfortable addition to align your body properly
2. The pillow fits to the curves of your legs, maintaining the shape throughout the night
3. The Contour Leg Pillow is ideal for “side Sleepers” and those that suffer from Sciatica, as it restores the body’s natural alignment, leaving the sleeper pain free and well-rested.
4. The Contour Leg Pillow is also a very easy and affordable way to aide in any leg muscle cramps, uncomfortable varicose veins as it acts as a cradle, improving overall circulation.
5. Over 7 million Contour Leg Pillows have been sold! Experience the comfort and quality rest that so many others enjoy each night!

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Invest in Good Rest

When is the RIGHT time to invest in a new mattress?

It is simply in our human nature to “invest.” Certainly from a monetary perspective, “investing” in our everyday lives is inevitable; from choosing to pump the Supreme Unleaded gasoline versus Regular into our already high-priced and motorized “investment” ensuring it drives to optimal performance, to investing in copious amounts of department store cosmetics and skin care products to ensure that natural, radiant glowing face shines brightly each morning, down to the simple investment in our daily cup of exorbitantly trendy coffee we so rely on to start the morning off right. So why should investing in a quality night’s sleep be any different?

In terms of following in the (Americanized) investment footsteps: it shouldn’t. A good mattress is certainly a worthy venture to invest upon. The act of replacing a worn mattress with a new quality-crafted mattress can work mere wonders Not only is it the key to a quality night’s sleep, but crucial to a healthy neck, back and spine. The bottom line: a well-produced mattress can mean the difference of waking up feeling energized or leave you stiff as a board.

So when is the time for an upgrade? Experts suggest to upgrade about every ten years or so. However, superior comfort and overall support take precedence. The main objective in the investment of a new mattress is to be able to fully relax the body as you slumber the night away, with little to no tossing or turning, and with enough support underneath the body to avoid any pain or discomfort whatsoever.

It is also a good idea to check your old mattress for any obvious imperfections. Rips, tears, lumps or sagging in the pad or pillow itself could signal the need for a new investment. Aside from the more obvious indications of a need exist some less obvious; tuning into your body and assessing your needs of the present day as opposed to the needs that your body may have called for year prior will guide you through the mattress-shopping experience. Bodies change and so do our nightly necessities. Certain areas of the back or neck may require a bit more padding now than at one time. Certain sleep positions may cause the onset of snoring or sleep apnea if not supported correctly. Take a moment to reassess your personal needs at the present moment to truly reap the benefits of a quality mattress.

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Free Shipping on Pillows and Back Support

Get Free Shipping on your purchase of pillows, wedge and sleep cushion and back support products at Contour Living.  This weekend only!

Buy $50 or more and enter coupon "FREE50" during checkout.  We'll remove your shipping charges and still ship your order the next business day!

Save on our new CPAPmax pillow for sleep apnea - our next generation CPAP bed pillow ships free!

Try our new Flip Pillow - It combines a bed pillow and wedge pillow in one.  Simply arrange this unique cushion in one of four positions to get the support you need.

Order a set of our Contour brand bed pillows - you'll save $10 off the single price of two pillows, plus, you'll get free shipping!

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Survey Findings Prove Benefits of Contour CPAP Pillow for Sleep Apnea Patients

Contour Products Promotes Survey for National Respiratory Care Week, Findings Prove Benefits of Contour CPAP Pillow for Sleep Apnea Patients

Over 96% of Respiratory Therapists Agree, Mask Users Benefit From This Pillow

In conjunction with National Respiratory Care Week, Contour Products(TM), a leader in the sleep support
and comfort industry, is proud to promote the results of a 2009 survey conducted among respiratory therapists who work with CPAP patients daily.  One of the most common issues among CPAP therapy users is discomfort when sleeping with their CPAP mask, as a result of the mask pressing against their face. The Contour CPAP Pillow alleviates this with its innovative pressure-free zones that accommodate any respiratory mask so users stay comfortable, even in the side-sleeping position.

    "National Respiratory Care Week is an ideal time to highlight that respiratory therapists from throughout the country have acknowledged and supported that the patented design of our Contour CPAP Pillow significantly
improves comfort among CPAP therapy patients," says Contour Products' founder Scott Davis. "We've received tremendous feedback from end users on these same issues, but to have members of the medical community respond as consistently and favorably as they did is truly gratifying and gives additional credibility."

    Mask leaks were an important topic in the survey. More than 91 percent of respiratory therapists surveyed agreed the Contour CPAP Pillow is successful in reducing mask leaks, another major barrier to compliance
among CPAP therapy patients. Aside from causing dry skin on the face, mask leaks contribute to patients not getting the prescribed amount of pressurized air. Leaks compromise compliance because of the air leakage as
well as the discomfort and noise they cause.

    As further proof of the Contour CPAP Pillow's effectiveness, 100 percent of the respiratory therapists surveyed agreed the pillow reduces the tendency of the mask to press against the face. Mask pressure is the
major factor in discomfort complaints among CPAP therapy patients, as well as a leading cause of non-compliance. Eliminating mask pressure is a tremendous step in the direction of patient acceptance and compliance for CPAP mask therapy, a highly effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

    The Contour CPAP Pillow features that address key issues affecting patient compliance include ergonomically designed head, neck and shoulder support to reinforce comfort. The pillow has specifically molded spots for users to rest their ears when side sleeping. And, its inclined upper sides support the forehead to help prevent patients from rotating their chin downward, compromising airway alignment.

    Other important features of the Contour CPAP Pillow include an advanced, precisely molded design made of poured foam for superior support and resilience. A cover of silky, quilted padding in the hollowed-out
sections of the pillow and along the shoulder area ensures that the mask, hose and body glide over the pillow when users change positions. It has a five-year warranty and boasts effective packaging that thoroughly conveys its features and benefits in a user-friendly format.

    "It's important to note during Respiratory Care Week that the Contour CPAP Pillow is ideal for use both during titration and at home," says Scott Davis. "By controlling the mask variable during titration, the process
becomes more manageable and improves patient acceptance of the interface. Using the pillow at home ensures comfort and compliance after titration."

Learn about how this Support Pillow helps CPAP Compliance and Sleep Apnea Therapy.

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Tests Confirm the Cloud Mattress Pad

Contour Cloud Mattress Substantiation Sheet

Quality and duration of sleep are affected by many factors such as noise, mental stress, physical pressure concentration, posture and support.  Anything that can be done to reduce these negative factors improves sleep.  The Contour Cloud Mattress pad’s specially engineered design addresses issues related to pressure points, posture and support to dramatically improve quality of sleep and increase the duration of time spent in the deepest, most restorative levels of sleep.

The Contour Cloud Mattress Pad has been tested three different ways:

1.  Sleep Efficiency Tests  
• Wrist Actigraph Studies measure muscle movements in the body during sleep.  This type of test is considered to be a good indicator of the quality of sleep that a person is getting. 
• When using the Contour Cloud Mattress pad, participants’ sleep efficiency levels rose dramatically.  On average, participants gained an extra 27 minutes of deep, restorative levels of quality sleep, and they experienced less fragmented sleep.
•  Sleep efficiency levels are particularly important for people who are in situations where sleep times are limited, such as Navy personnel.  These people need to make the most of the time that they have to sleep, so that they can be better prepared to carry out their duties during awake hours.  There are numerous studies that point to a lack of sleep and/or poor quality sleep affecting a person’s level of alertness and his/her ability to function effectively and think clearly.
•  A few examples are listed below:  
• Slowed reaction time
• Creativity, short term memory and sense of humor are all compromised by a lack of quality sleep 
• One dramatic example of this is that the loss of one hour of sleep during daylight savings time causes traffic accidents to increase by 7%-8%
2. Pressure Studies
   

• Pressure studies measure the amount of pressure that the body has when laying on different types of sleep surfaces to show how well the body’s weight is distributed.  The more even the weight distribution, the lower the pressure.  
• The average person tosses and turns about 70 times during the night, resulting in fragmented, low quality sleep.  Often times, tossing and turning occurs when the person attempts to relieve pressure on a particular area of the body.  Shoulders and hips, for example, are pressure “hot spots” and often endure the brunt of the pressure when a person sleeps on a non-supportive surface.  The less supportive the surface, the less even the weight distribution is, which in turn causes the person to toss and turn.  A person often awakes during the night in response to pressure build-up to adjust his/her position in an effort to relieve it.
•  When participants laid on the Contour Cloud Mattress Pad, as opposed to a regular mattress, there was a dramatic reduction in pressure points all over the body.  The participants’ weight was more evenly distributed, so pressure was relieved on “hot spot” areas of the body like shoulders, hips and knees.
•  When you reduce these pressure points, you are able to sleep more comfortably in one position for longer periods of time, which minimizes fragmented sleep and maximizes time spent in the deeper, more restorative levels of sleep.

3. Posture and Alignment

• In order for a sleep surface to be truly supportive, it must have some amount of cushion as well as a shape to it that matches the subtle curves of the body.  Mattresses are flat, they have no shape and often they’re either too hard, resulting in a rigid sleep surface, or they’re too soft, resulting in a hammocking effect that can be particularly detrimental to your lower back area.
•  Video Fluoroscopy is basically a moving x-ray, which shows the inside of the body in motion.  With it, we are able to demonstrate how well the Contour Cloud Mattress Pad supports and aligns the body’s skeletal system.
•  When the body’s skeletal system is properly supported, surrounding muscles are able to relax during sleep.

    
Contour Cloud Mattress Pad Construction and Features & Benefits

1. 2-1/2” thick triple layer design features a surface layer of heat sensitive material called Soft-Touch memory foam
•  Molds to fit your body’s every curve for superior weight distribution and minimal tossing and turning during the night. 
• This type of material was originally developed for NASA to cushion astronauts on lift-off.
•  Ribbed surface allows air to circulate through the pad so you stay cool and comfortable during the night.
2.  Middle layer contains a lumbar support
•  Maintains the spine’s proper curve and helps to minimize low back pain caused by poor sleep posture.
• Fills in the gap that flat mattresses leave around the lumbar and waist area to maintain the natural arch in your low back and encourage proper sleep posture during resting periods
3. Base Layer :
•  Constructed of high quality dense foam for excellent nighttime support
•  Prevents the mattress pad from bottoming out underneath the body’s weight.

.    
   .Learn More about this Foam Mattress Topper Here  

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Free Shipping this Weekend at Contour Living

Take advantage of our Free Shipping Weekend at Contour Living! Only for our Back to Health newsletter subscribers, stock up and save!. Hurry, Free Shipping expires August 12th.

Spend $75 or more and enter coupon FREESHIP in your shopping cart. Update your cart and your shipping will be on us! You'll get great prices on back support products and cushions, Contour Pillows (leg pillows, neck pillows and pillows for your bed), wedge solutions like our Mattress Genie and Back Max Cushions, and much more!

Shop Contour Living Now!

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Back Max Helps Recovery from Surgery

The Back Max from Contour Products incorporates 3 wedge cushions which can be used together or in any combination for total body support. Many customers purchase the Back Max for proper positioning during recovery after surgery and body injuries. The Back max is available in standard or deluxe versions. The deluxe version adds massage to the main body cushions and includes a deluxe fleece cover and memory foam pillow.

Here are actual customer reviews provided by users of the Back Max cushions during recovery from surgeries:

* Patricia January 11, 2009: You will not go wrong buying this Product. I bought it due to Mastectomy Surgery and needed to sleep in the Inclined Possition, And could not be more Pleased with the comfort.
I highly recommend this Product. It has also helped my acid Refux issues. It will be well worth your money. Enjoy

* J Newfield February 10, 2009: I am on day 7 of having a full tummy tuck, liposuction and breast lift. At first I was worried about how this system would do in our bed since we have a pretty high bed. I had nothing to worry about. I could not have gotten through without this and recommend it to anyone getting ready to undergo a tummy tuck. It kept me elevated perfectly and I even found that the cover kept me toasty warm since the medicines I was taking for pain kept me colder than normal. It was very easy to roll to the side to get out of bed the way the doctors recommend. The only issues I had were that I liked to tuck pillows on both sides of it for arm rests. That was no problem though. It does come unzipped rather easily and I didn't love that fact but all in all I'd buy it again in a heartbeat and love whoever created this. Thank you for making my healing process easier!

* Jane March 14, 2009: This has allowed me to sleep relatively comfortably in a semi-upright position after shoulder surgery, when I have to wear a sling all the time. I found the addition of a small neck pillow helpful for neck comfort.

I had wondered about the width of the cushions, but as I'm rather small, they seem just fine. A larger person might need something wider. If the system is on a bed, you can dispense with the zipping and position the back and leg cushions at whatever distance is most comfortable.

* Anonymous April 8, 2009: This Backmax is spectacular! I have a physical condition that makes it much more comfortable to sleep on my back. Before having this I could never stay on my back for more than a half an hour. Since getting it I have always spent the whole night on my back in complete comfort. A couple of tips: 1) large safety pins work well to keep the zippered sections from coming apart, 2) an hour glass shaped neck pillow has been a good addition.

* Anne May 17, 2009: I just had knee surgery and have slept on this for 3 nights very well.
To make it work - I need a memory foam back pillow (sleeping on my back would normally cause me lower back pain).
Neck support is a problem. I tried different pillows the first night, with no luck. What works is a memory foam travel neck pillow.
When watching t.v., I just rest my head and neck on it.
When I am ready to sleep, I go ahead and wrap it around my neck, so my head is supported no matter what I do when I am asleep.
The best part is that with pillows under my surgery knee, it's elevated
straight out (the way my Dr. wants it - for the best, quickest recovery).
You do need to use pillows on either side for arm rests.
I am so glad I have this!

* Sherry June 10, 2007: This is reviewed several times at http://www.tuckthattummy.com/forum/forum.php and is very useful for recovering from tummy tuck surgery. Lot's of girls have bought it and absolutely raved about it. Had to try it myself!

Mary Anne October 16, 2006: I have had my BackMax for over a year and I absolutely love it. I use it every day. It fits perfectly on my couch. I work from home as a writer and I am able to work on my laptop (I have it on an AirDesk) while I recline with leg and calf support. (position 4) - I have had 2 major spinal surgeries and this is the most comfortable position for me when I am writing, watching TV, etc - it takes the pressure of my spine and tailbone, and helps to relieve sciatic pain. I love it - The covers come off and wash nicely in the washer and dryer. I highly recommend this product!! MaryAnn H. Pittsburgh, PA

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New 3-D Cool Mesh Pillow from Contour Products

New Technology! Soft • Cool • Clean • Dry Uses 3-D Mesh Technology! The cooling properties of 3-D mesh technology combine with plush memory foam to provide an incredible sleeping surface for your head, neck and shoulder area. Enjoy the plush feel of premium grade memory foam while sleeping on a virtual layer of air! This unique combination keeps you cool and dry, while molds to fit the exact shape of your head and neck, ensuring proper sleeping posture posture throughout the night. The pillow includes two covers: an inside cover with 3-D mesh and a breathable outside cover. Both Covers are easily removed and washable.

The Science of Mesh - Our 3-D mesh is made of thousands of resilient fibers, each behaving as an independent spring. Combined, they offer exceptional conforming support, cooling breathability and comfort!

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Save up to 20% at Contour Living!!

The holidays are fast approaching and Contour Living has a great selection of gift items for everyone on your list. Our customers love the comfort and support of our back & sleep products, and so will your friends and family! As an early gift to you, we're offering these special discounts:

• Save an additional 15% off you order of $35 or more! - Simply enter coupon "GIFT15" in your shopping cart in the field labeled "Coupon or Gift card" and update your cart. We'll remove 15% off your subtotal!
• Spend more and Save More! Save an additional 20% off you order of $100 or more! - Simply enter coupon "GIFT20" in your shopping cart in the field labeled "Coupon or Gift card" and update your cart. We'll remove 20% off your subtotal!

Now is the time to take advantage of these savings! Hurry, these coupons expire Monday, October 20th. Additional savings are not applicable to Teeter Inversion Tables and cannot be applied to previous purchases.

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Reduce Snoring: Advice and a New Pillow Help!

Welcome Contour Living and Back to Health subscribers. This week we're focusing on snoring - and how to reduce or stop it. We're happy to introduce our newest product: The European Anti-Snore Pillow, plus Tips on How to Reduce Snoring. Some quick facts about our new pillow:

• Adjustable anti-snore air chamber positions your head and neck to help prevent snoring via an easy to use inflate valve.
• The pillow’s curved shape accommodates your neck area.
• Open cell, natural latex foam regulates moisture and warmth and provides a soft, supportive sleeping surface.
• Promotes side sleeping.
• Family members will sleep better with reduced snoring.
• Quilted cover is removable for washing
• Fits in queen size pillow case.
• Backed by a five year guarantee.

Comfortably position your head and neck for improved airway alignment to reduce the most common causes of snoring, like sleeping on your back. A built-in air chamber in the center of this pillow allows adjustable support to help keep you off your back during the night. Simply inflate the air bubble with the connected tube to the desired height.

The anti-snore pillow is made of natural latex foam flocks that regulate moisture and warmth and provide a soft, supportive sleeping surface. The pillow is curved to accommodate your neck area, and its anatomical shape ensures proper support during the night. The high quality Euro soft cotton cover is quilted for added comfort and luxury, and can be removed for washing. The pillow fits a queen size case and looks normal on your bed. The Anti-Snore pillow is backed by a five year guarantee. Learn more or purchase your Anti-Snore Pillow here   http://www.contourliving.com

This Week's Featured Article:

Advice on How to Stop Snoring
Some helpful advice for reducing snoring:

• One cause of snoring is sleeping on your back (head up). Sleeping in this position can limit the free flow of air through the breathing passageways. A simple change of positions, to one such as sleeping on your side, can help open the passage and enable easier (and quieter) breathing.
• Excess weight can enlarge the internal organs in the breathing passageway and can also contribute to snoring. Maintain a healthy weight and you'll reduce this cause of snoring. In addition, a healthy diet will improve your over-all well-being and produce more productive sleep.
• Nasal congestion and allergies will also block air passageways and make it difficult to breath during sleep. The symptoms associated with congestion and allergies will be especially worse if you are sleeping on your back.
• Don't smoke. Yet another healthy reason not smoke, (as if you need another one).
• Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime and limit overall alcohol intake.
• Avoid overeating, especially "heavy" meals before bedtime. .
• Certain over-the-counter medicines designed for sleeping or dealing with symptoms of congestion, colds or allergies can cause breathing airway relaxation and help make sleeping a noisy activity.

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New Anti-Snore Pillow Reduces Snoring!

Comfortably position your head and neck for improved airway alignment to reduce the most common causes of snoring, like sleeping on your back. A built-in air chamber in the center of this pillow allows adjustable support to help keep you off your back during the night. Simply inflate the air bubble with the connected tube to the desired height. The anti-snore pillow is made of natural latex foam flocks that regulate moisture and warmth and provide a soft, supportive sleeping surface. The pillow is curved to accommodate your neck area, and its anatomical shape ensures proper support during the night. The high quality Euro soft cotton cover is quilted for added comfort and luxury, and can be removed for washing. The pillow fits a queen size case and looks normal on your bed. The Anti-Snore pillow is backed by a five year guarantee. Adjustable anti-snore air chamber positions your head and neck to help prevent snoring via an easy to use inflate valve. The pillow’s curved shape accommodates your neck area. Open cell, natural latex foam regulates moisture and warmth and provides a soft, supportive sleeping surface. Promotes side sleeping. Family members will sleep better with reduced snoring. Quilted cover is removable for washing Fits in queen size pillow case. Backed by a five year guarantee.

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