Useful Pillows
I use pillows as a preventative strategy and also to alleviate symptoms. I thought I’d go through in a little more detail what they are and how they help me
Support those knees
- if you're sitting with your legs up use a pillow or bolster
- if you have hEDS it will help with knee hyperextensions
Find your special sleeping pillow
- and then take it with you when you travel
- I zip it in my suitcase, it’s SO worth it to avoid additional neck pain/symptoms
- Now everyone is different, for me, this has been my perfect sleeping pillow for years (but ofc may not be the same for you)
- My go-to is the Serenity slim latex pillow from Dunlopillo / Relyon
- It’s got these holes that make it breathable but the texture makes it supportive and bounces back
- It’s meant for side sleepers but I find it good for sleeping on my back too
- If I sleep on a different pillow my neck gets super stiff and inflamed for weeks after, so I’ve learned the best, most preventative way around this is to take it with me when I’m sleeping over anywhere else
Sleep with a pillow between your legs
- honestly a gamechanger for back pain
- I use the serenity slim pillow from Dunlopillo
- everyone will find different pillows suitable. You may like to use a pillow specifically for between your legs that stays in place even if you move
If you get lower back pain, coccyx / hip subluxations or sciatica
- Always sit on a cushion like this
- If you type in 'coccyx cushion' it will come up
- It has a hole in the back where the bottom of your spine or coccyx is
- This is not only good for if your coccyx or hips sublux often, but for lower back pain in general
- When my coccyx subluxes the muscles in my bum get super inflamed and spasm and cause sciatica down my legs, so this really alleviates this.
- Sitting on any hard surface triggers this inflammation and pain for weeks, so it’s a preventative way of alleviating pain
- You can find it on Amazon, I’ve listed a few options on my amazon shop - they no longer sell the exact model I use as I bought them two years ago
Carrying around the coccyx cushion
- I take it wherever I ever have to sit, otherwise symptoms are flared massively
- To make it portable and durable, the case was upholstered using some tent material and a sewing machine, was just a few rows of stitches and some Velcro to create it
- The bag was upholstered by me from scratch many years ago using my mums sewing machine, it took me a full day to make it and I know I need to find another one
From: ASOS
H: 34cm/13" x W 48cm/19" x D: 16cm/6"
Handle drop: 28cm/11"
Research of some bags to put the coccyx cushion in
- I’ve done some research for some bags that could work to carry it around in with a priority on materials that are quite light and not too bulky
- I've only now tried and tested this black canvas bag from ASOS, but note the others haven't been tried but hope it gives some inspiration of the types of bags you could get to carry yours around with you without making it from scratch!
- The dimensions of my pillow are approx:
45cm W (L of bag) x 35cm D (H of bag) x 10cm H (D of bag)
^ in brackets is the minimum dimension you want to look for in the bag [if you have a different pillow you'll need to go by those dimensions]
From: Esty
21.2"(54 cm) width, 13.7"(35 cm) height, 6.6"(17 cm) side, 11.4"(29 cm) handles
From: Oysho
45cm x 36cm x 15cm
From: Woolovers
51cm x 31cm x 36cm
[Handle 58 cm Length]
Approx:
45cm W (L of bag)
x 35cm D (H of bag)
x 10cm H (D of bag)
From: Ethical Market
33cm, width 56cm, height 32cm
(may be a little tight)
Body Pillow
Pregnancy Pillows
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This is something that you all recommended when I shared a reel with my pillow tips from above, so I wanted to add it to this resource so that you can see which one could be right for you​
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Body Pillow;
- this one is straight and long tube shaped that you can use for side sleeping and supporting your knees and cuddling on to
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U shaped Pillow;
- you can rest your head on the top of the U, and then use the long parts for side sleeping, to have in between your legs, and when you turn over you don't have to move the pillow with you. You can also use it for sitting upright and supporting you when doing so.
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C shaped Pillow;
- this shape is also good for side sleeping where you use the long part of the C for your head and knees, with the curly parts of the C going behind you (where your back is)
U Shaped Pillow
C Shaped Pillow
What pillows do you use to help manage your chronic illness?
Have any of these tips been helpful?
Do you have any suggestions to add that could help someone else?
Get in touch via my Instagram or on the contact form button below