When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, the right pillow can make all the difference in your comfort and quality of sleep. Latex pillows are one such example, crafted from unique materials that set them apart from other pillow types. We partnered with Dr Greg Potter, a renowned expert with a PhD in sleep, to delve into the science behind latex pillows and how they align with the principles of healthy sleep.
Ease age-related neck pain
Several scientific studies have reported that latex pillows can help ease neck pain in people with cervical spondylosis, a condition characterised by age-related wear and tear of the spine. Cervical spondylosis is all but inevitable, and almost all adults over the age of 60 seem to have it. Cervical spondylosis is often asymptomatic but sometimes results in issues such as local pain and stiffness and popping noises on motion. Less commonly, cervical spondylosis compresses the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, resulting in other symptoms such as weakness in the limbs. Returning to pillows, research has shown that using an ergonomic latex pillow for just four weeks eased pain and increased neck range of motion in all directions. Another article by the same team of scientists reported that using the latex pillow increased the muscular endurance of the neck extensors — the muscles you use when you tilt your head to look up at the sky. Although this research wasn’t done on our own pillow, there are relevant similarities between the pillows.
One of the ways pillows can help ease neck pain is by ensuring your spine is in a comfortable position, for the pillow you use affects the alignment of your spine in bed. In general, front and back sleepers are likely to benefit from shallower pillows, to help maintain the portion of the spine in the ribcage (the thoracic spine) and the neck (the cervical spine) near a “neutral” position. This is the position of the spine in this region when standing upright with good posture. For more on finding the best pillow for you, you might find our pillow buying guide helpful.
Improved breathability and support
As is true of several of our other pillows like our Breathe® and Smart Temperature pillows, our new Natural Latex Foam Pillow is designed to keep you cool throughout the night, which can in turn boost your sleep quality. Our latest latex pillow naturally allows for superior airflow through its open-cell structure design. Looking at the science, in a study of people sleeping in a warm bedroom (27°C, 55% relative humidity) comparing two pillows made of materials with differing heat capacities, using a pillow designed for breathability or made with cooling materials reduced the temperature of the forehead skin and the core. Heart rate was lower in people using the cooling pillow, and people also reported higher sleep quality. Together, these findings suggest that pillows made from cooling materials can improve sleep quality by aiding heat loss from the head.
Get a latex pillow today Experience the benefits of latex pillows
If you experience neck pain, find yourself sometimes getting too hot in bed, or just want a high-quality pillow made from more sustainable materials, you’ll love our new Natural Latex Foam Pillow.
The inner foam made with 100% natural Talalay™ latex, offers durability, springy softness, and is sourced from FSC certified rubber trees — one more reason you can sleep well at night! Durability and sustainability aside, latex might be a particularly good choice if you experience neck pain or get too hot in bed. If you try it, let us know your thoughts about it by sending us a message on Instagram!
