Consumer watchdog: Jury out in pillow case

The Peace Pillow, which cradles the neck, is made from Nasa-developed foam. Photo / Doug Sherring

Fluffy and luxurious is what most people want in a pillow, but the New Zealand Chiropractors Association is urging people to replace soft, cheap pillows with ergonomic alternatives to avoid sleepless nights and long-term back and neck problems.

Spokesman Dr Hayden Thomas said overstuffed pillows tilted the head, left the neck on an angle and made the surrounding muscles work hard to provide support.

"You should go for a firm surface because that allows the muscles to relax," Thomas said. "Your neck should be able to lie flat so your head is in line with your shoulder."

But the price of ergonomic pillows could give you sleepless nights. They cost about $150 compared to a standard pillow from The Warehouse, which costs between $7 and $15.

Research from the Massey University Sleep Wake Centre reveals one in four Kiwis gets fewer than seven hours sleep a night. About 13 per cent report insomnia-like symptoms.

Centre researcher Karyn O'Keeffe said long-term sleep deprivation was associated with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and stroke.

But she said a decent pillow was only one of many factors in sleep quality - and the jury was still out on whether specialist pillows were worth investing in. "It's a controversial area," she said. "Unfortunately there are no quality, independent studies to back it up."

Steven Bennett, director of Auckland-based company Peace Pillows, said his osteopath-designed pillows, which cost about $150, worked by encouraging the body to lie in the foetal position.

"If sleep posture is wrong, circulation won't be right and the body's muscles and tendons won't be nourished," he said.

Bennett acknowledged there was limited clinical evidence, but said his osteopath wife had incorporated specialist pillows into treatments for more than 20 years, with good reports.

Alex Bartle, of Auckland's Sleep Well Clinic, said personal taste was more important than specialist design.

"We move around at night and if you have a foam rubber thing that moulds to your position it's not going to fit you as you move."

Bartle suggested pillows which moulded to your shape could work as a placebo.

"People think the pillow will help them sleep so, sure enough, it does."

AUT head of physiotherapy Peter Larmer agreed research was lacking.

"At best, the literature is confusing. Some studies say rubber contour pillows are best, some say feathers are best," he said.

"Any pillow that provides support under the curvature of the neck and keeps the neck in a neutral position is ideal. A feather pillow or a rolled up towel could do that."

SPECIALIST 'PEACE' PILLOW STANDS THE TEST OF SLEEP

Do specialist pillows live up to the marketing hype - and the price tag? I put a "memory foam" Peace Pillow to the test this week.

It's made from Nasa-developed visco-elastic foam, created by osteopath Elaine Bennett, and is claimed to be "designed for the ultimate night's sleep".

The pillows are heavy and firm, with a raised lip along one edge to cradle the neck.

They take a couple of nights to get used to but by the end of the week my neck and shoulders felt less stiff and I was sleeping better than usual.

My verdict - at $149-$159, the Peace Pillow is expensive but seemed to live up to its promise.

* People with hypertension or back pain should consult a professional.

A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

* Routine: Going to bed and waking at the same times every day will give you optimum sleep.

* Temperature: Studies show 16C suits most people.

* Light: The darker the better.

* Time: Seven to nine hours is ideal.

* Caffeine: You won't sleep restfully with caffeine in your system. It can take 15 hours to process.

Source: Massey University Sleep Wake Centre