The Half Moon Bolster Pillow
– the most versatile pillow of all?
With the many different types of pillows available on the market it is easy to become confused as to the relative merits and purpose of each. The trend for using specialty pillows is growing and the bolster pillow is probably the most popular and versatile of them all.
To bolster literally means to support or ‘prop up’ which is exactly what this pillow does. They can be whole or half cylinder in shape and vary in length, depending on the function you need it to perform. Whilst often used as decorative furnishings, using one regularly can also bring a range of health benefits – both to prevent and ease pain from a range of health concerns.
How to Use a Bolster Pillow
Whether you have aches and pains that you need to ease or want to sleep in a better position to feel more rested, the humble half moon bolster pillow is here to offer the therapeutic support you need. It is often after injury or following surgery that many people discover bolsters; but once healed they often continue to be used, as their health benefits have been realized. Here are the top 8 ways they are most often used:
1. Head and Neck Support Pillow
The half-moon cushion makes a great neck support pillow to sleep on at night. As they tend to be firmer than regular pillows more neck support is offered which keeps the spine in a much healthier position for sleeping.
2. Back Support Pillow
Placing a bolster cushion under the small of your back where it curves towards the front offers your spine support and reduces the pressure placed on it when lying down. Half moon pillows are ergonomically shaped and so fill the gap perfectly at the base of your back. They can also be used in this position if you lay on your side or sitting on the couch.
3. Knee Pillow
For many people who struggle with back pain, lying on their side with a pillow between their legs is the perfect solution to getting a more rested sleep. Place the pillow between your knees (which can extend down to your lower legs) to keep your spine aligned correctly. This is surprisingly effective at relieving both back and sciatic pain, in addition to cushioning the lower knee.
4. Under Knee Pillow
Many people with lower back pain issues use a bolster pillow under their knees when lying on their back. This causes the hips to round your lower back and puts you in an altogether healthier sleeping position. Much pressure is put on your spine when lying down as gravity pulls all your weight through the spine onto the bed. By adding targeted support and relieving some of this pressure, your body is far more relaxed as you sleep.
5. Leg elevation Pillow
Whether due to pregnancy, varicose veins or post-surgery recovery, many people need to elevate their legs when lying down to improve circulation. Simply placing the bolster pillow under your calves or ankles provides the required elevation but ensures you are comfortable enough to fall asleep.
6. Stomach Sleeping Support
For those people that prefer to sleep on their tummies, finding a comfortable pillow for their head is only half the solution to a good night’s sleep. This position puts more strain on the pelvis and lower back area than any other sleeping position and can lead to ongoing back issues. However, using a half moon pillow under the pelvic area provides support both to the spine and the internal organs so that a safer, healthy position is gained, maintaining the lumbar curve.
7. Pregnancy Support
By the third trimester, many pregnant women find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, not only due their baby wriggling, but due to the aches and pains the extra weight is placing on their bodies. Whilst collapsing into bed may normally trigger the onset of complete rest and recuperation, when pregnant it is too often just a different position to feel uncomfortable! Half-moon bolsters can be used as support, either underneath the baby bump to prevent the extra weight adding sideways pressure to the spine, or behind the back to ease lower back aches and pains.
8. Footrest
With many of us sat at our desk for the majority of the day, the improper position that most of us adopt is putting strain on our back, shoulders and neck. By using a footrest, a more natural position is achieved reducing the pressure on our spine and easing back pain. Research suggests that the healthiest position to sit in is slightly reclined. This helps us to sit at the back of chairs and allows for the muscle activity around the spine and associated discs to reduce. Simply by putting our feet on a footrest or small stool when sitting for long periods of time can help to achieve this. Using a half bolster pillow as a footrest provides the correct height whilst benefiting from the comfort that they offer.
The benefits of using a Bolster Pillow
From the array of positions that bolster pillows can be used in it is clear to see the range of benefits that they can provide, but some that are less obvious.
- Supporting the body – due to their firmer construction when compared to regular pillows, bolsters provide a superior level of support. Whether the support is needed for recovery from injury or a long term health concern, the support level of this pillow is far superior.
- Comforting - studies have shown the positive psychological impact of cuddling up to something when sleeping. This promotes the release of endorphins which help the body to relax, reduce tension, leading to a deeper sleep.
- Promotes good posture – even when not laying down or sitting. The more we adopt good posture conditions then the more natural it will be for our bodies to maintain these positions. If bolster pillows help to keep our spines healthy when sleeping, the muscle memory will help to pull us into healthier positions when walking around.
- Safer than pillows for kids – due to their firmer construction, half moon pillows are safer than regular ones if children turn onto their stomachs at night time.
- Relieves tension in the neck – when used as a neck support half moon pillows help to open up the vertebrae which relives locked in tension and reduces headaches.
- Enhances blood circulation – if used to elevate legs or feet this helps blood to return to the heart more easily and so improves blood supply. It also means the heart does not need to work as hard and so protects this organ too.
Half Moon Bolster Pillows
There are a number of different types of bolster pillow available. Traditionally bolster pillows are cylindrical, but in recent years half cylinder, or half-moon varieties have become available. At Zenesse Health we feel that this newer shape offers a greater level of support and stability due to the sturdier base and resistance to rolling out of position. The Zenesse Health Half Moon Bolster Pillow is constructed from a 30 D (density) premium foam core which provides stability and firm support, surrounded by a soft and cooling gel-infused egg-crate memory foam layer which ensures supreme comfort while mitigating heat build up.
support, surrounded by a cooling-gel infused egg-crate memory foam layer which ensures supreme comfort. We specifically design our memory foam to allow the maximum flow of air providing a cooling support pillow. Wrapped in a luxuriously soft removable bamboo pillow cover you can get the support whilst being relaxed enough to let those endorphins flow!