There are several conditions for which the use of a wedge pillow may be an easy and inexpensive solution to achieve partial or complete relief by optimizing body position while sleeping.

Nocturnal gastro-esophageal reflux causes heartburn and sleep disturbances impairing the quality of life. The inclination of the upper body, which can be achieved by using the wedge pillow, promotes a gravitational benefit to reduce acid reflux.

Obstructive sleep apnea is another condition where use of the wedge pillow may help to relax the musculature of the upper airways, with consequent improvement of the airflow in the airways. Similarly, people suffering neck pain and congestive heart failure may find some relief by elevating of their upper body.

The wedge pillow provides a simple and effective option for conditions where upper body elevation can be beneficial to alleviate some medical conditions.

When lying supine during sleep, the muscles of the pharyngeal airway or the upper airway become relaxed and gravity can lead to its narrowing, hence higher risks of apnea during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a significant and relatively common sleep disorder that can lead to increased irritability, impaired attention and vigilance, and emotional instability.

Wedge pillows keep the upper body in an elevation posture and leads to changes in the dimensions of the pharyngeal airway. Such mechanism helps maintain upper airway patency, making it less collapsible and more easily opened during sleep. Therefore lying with upper body resting on a wedge pillow can be useful in reducing the risks of obstructive sleep apnea.

Wedge pillows offer comfort and multiple therapeutic benefits. The system is recommended to those suffering from respiratory problems as well as back and neck pain. It is also good for patients in orthopedic rehabilitation.

A gradual inclination provides comfort, relaxation, and support for those with back and neck problems or injury. The pillows allow the users to lie in the zero gravity position which minimizes excessive load on the spine, improves circulation, and relieves muscle tension. Postoperatively, it is recommended to elevate the head of the bed to a 30-45 degrees position to promote optimal blood circulation to all the vital healing areas and help reduce the swelling. Wedge pillows also support trunk stabilization in side lying, while their gentle slope enables the users to come out of bed without straining the spine. In addition, elevation of head and trunk is ideal to help relieve the discomfort during breathing problem.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be troublesome to patients by adversely affecting their well-being. Symptoms include heart-burn, regurgitation, and sleep disturbance. A patient can elevate his head to seek to take advantage of gravity by using wedge pillows if symptoms occur when laying on the back.

A Stanford University School of Medicine study considered lifestyle modifications such as the use of wedge pillows to be first-line therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease [Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 8; 166(9): 965-71]. A University of Wisconsin randomized trial reported sleeping on a wedge pillow, compared to sleeping flat, decreased both the time the esophagus was in contact with excess acid, and the longest episode of reflux [Digestive Diseases and Sciences; 1988 May,33:5,518-522].

My clinical experience as well as clinical data from other centres supports the concept that lifestyle modifications are vital components of disease therapy and prophylaxis. Of note, emerging evidence highlights the indispensable role of sleep posture in disease pathogenesis [1].

Evidence from clinical studies point to the importance of sleep posture modification using wedges pillows, in relieving symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease[2]. Furthermore, the wedge pillow has been found useful in the treatment of late pregnancy-related backache and insomnia [3]. In addition, positional therapy using the wedge pillow is relevant in the treatment of mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, as well as in the reduction of nocturnal raised intra-ocular pressure in patients with glaucoma [4].

Taken together, the wedge pillow is increasingly recognised as an important tool in the treatment and prevention of a variety of clinical conditions.

Wedge pillows are designed to provide alternative positioning methods for individuals who are unable to tolerate sleeping flat on their back. The wedge shape is most often used to elevate the head of the user to assist with difficulties that may arise from sleeping without inclination, such as sleep apnea.

For those battling sleep apnea, the wedge pillow may help provide clearance from airway obstruction, thus reducing the severity and frequency of apneic episodes. This can be used in conjunction with other treatments to improve the quality of sleep for these individuals. Although not guaranteed to provide relief, the wedge pillow has the potential to provide an inexpensive, comfortable alternative for some diagnosed with sleep apnea who may not tolerate other types of treatment.

Wedge pillows that are designed to elevate the upper body help promote better breathing, and manage acid reflux symptoms as well as sinus congestion and snoring. This natural position helps open obstructed airways reducing instances of snoring and sleep apnea, as well as helps with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments. In my practice, I also recommend wedge pillows to patients with chronic back pain due to their anatomical support and exceptional comfort. In some cases, when placed under lower legs, the wedge pillow offers relief from sore muscles due to exercise or overexertion.

I recommend wedge pillows to patients with back pain, fibromyalgia, sleep disturbances, acid reflux disease, GERD and COPD. Sleeping on a wedge pillow is effective in reducing the symptoms of these chronic diseases, hence an improvement in sleep quality.

As a medical doctor with over 10 years of experience in Diabetes and Endocrinology, I have seen many diabetic patients end up with complications such as neuropathic foot ulcers. Careful surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy, and pressure relief are the treatment measures of choice in the acute phase of these lesions. Diabetic ulcers often require a long time to heal - weeks, even months. During that time, finding a method to decrease the pressure on the affected area is crucial.

Pressure relief is important not only when walking, but when lying in bed as well. From the medical point of view, the use of a wedge-shaped pillow under the legs seems beneficial as it could provide such load relief while the patient is resting in bed.

People with conditions like reflux generally sleep better when their upper bodies are elevated. A wedge pillow is a simple and effective way to do this. In my experience, the gentle gradient of a wedge pillow is much kinder on the neck and upper back than the bulge provided by a traditional pillow, which can put strain on the neck area. When people try to prop themselves up on multiple pillows, it tends to make things worse because the body ends up being bent. A wedge, on the other hand, gives the necessary height without constricting the neck and allows the individual to keep themselves comfortably raised. A wedge pillow is also useful for anyone suffering from upper respiratory problems, including sleep apnea, allergies, sinusitis and snoring.

Wedge pillows are valuable for individuals who have medical issues. They are comfortable options for people who like to read or watch television from their beds. People who suffer from cardiac or breathing disorders such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive heart failure (CHF), and asthma find that using wedge pillows makes breathing easier. Individuals who suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or are overweight are more comfortable when they use wedge pillows.

A wedge pillow may be placed at the foot of the bed to elevate the feet. This is a comfortable position for many people. Elevating relieves edema and fatigue of the feet and legs. Using a wedge pillow is much simpler than trying to manage a stack of ordinary pillows. Wedge pillows that are adjustable in height are the most versatile.

In the busy world of our age it is not rare that people are suffering from various health conditions and seeking an easy and comfortable solution for their problems.

Bed wedge pillow is ideal and would highly be recommended for those who underwent different kind of spinal operations especially in the lumbar (lower back) or in the cervical (neck) regions to support spine and relieve postoperative pain by keeping the torso in a more upright position. It can also be an effective rest to the upper body when being placed vertically behind the back. By having it under the legs following lower limb surgery (vascular or post trauma) helps to reduce oedema and supports circulation.

In generally bed wedge pillows are great help in postoperative pain relief and recovery.

As a psychiatrist, I work daily with patients who suffer from depression, anxiety or PTSD. One thing all of these illnesses have in common is that they disturb the patients’ sleep. At the same time, fighting those illnesses takes a lot of energy out of the patients, so good sleep is doubly important. A wedge pillow enables the user to lie in an anatomically correct position as his/her spine is kept in its neutral, natural position, hence minimizing chances of disturbed sleep cycle caused by sleep apnea or pain. This is also especially useful for patients who use sleeping aids and, as a result, usually sleep more deeply and do not move. The lack of movement during the deeper sleep state can cause pain, which may be prevented by lying on a wedge pillow to keep the spine in its natural position.