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We Love Tempur Pillows, Too

A typo or two aside (but who’s perfect, after all?),  I fell across and loved this buzzle.com submission, which actually reads a bit more like an informative article or tutorial than a review.

Overall, I agree with the author’s comments (of course!), so I thought I’d share it with you. Enjoy!

And as an aside: buzzle.com has been working its way into my heart lately with a number of articles that are much more than the result of simple keyword searches. (Yay, buzzle.com!) If I find more information on this site that I feel will help readers make a choice of mattresses, pillows or bed frames, I’ll post, so watch this space.

The article is a bit one-sided – the author really doesn’t have much in the way of negative comments to balance the review – but admittedly, I agreed, for the most part. (Right, for the whole part. May as well admit it. What beats the comfort of a Tempur pillow, really?)

Thanks to the author, Saptakee Sengupta for a very complete and informative article. Hope to see more from you in the future, Saptakee!

Oh Dear. Poor Sleep is a Global Issue.

A Tempur-Pedic survey of 1000 individuals in the U.S. shows that those across the pond nap in some pretty strange places. As amusing as the idea may sound, this only points to the fact that so many people across the globe suffer from poor sleep – a problem that’s ongoing in stressed-out industrialized nations, reports say.

Respondents reported falling asleep in church, at restaurants, in the office (even during client phone calls), in the loo (yes, really) and much more alarmingly, behind the wheel of a car.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a glaring hint as to the reason for this phenomenon: over one third of the U.S. reports they get inadequate nightly sleep.

Americans are fighting the issue by downing loads of caffeine and taking naps whenever possible, but the cumulative effects of many nights of bad sleep can’t be denied, experts say.

Health experts are advising poor sleepers to see a medical professional and change their sleeping habits if they begin to experience the urge to nap at inappropriate times. We feel this warning applies here too; remember, if you’re sleepy during the day, your reflexes will be slower and you will be less aware, whether you notice this or not.

Meanwhile, make sleep time as appealing and easy as possible. Create new habits by going to bed at the same time each night, cutting caffeine intake after 2PM, dimming indoor lights slightly about an hour in advance of bedtime, making your bed and bedroom as cozy as possible and sleeping on a comfortable, supportive surface such as a Sleepshaper memory foam mattress which moulds itself to your individual body.

Before You See a Spine Surgeon

Several spinal procedures have been receiving a backlash of late, particularly those that involve surgery. One notable procedure is spinal fusion, which, after a 60-year history, has been receiving some criticism in the medical community.

 

That’s not to say there’s never a place for spinal fusion. According to physicians, there is. But spinal fusion, and other invasive surgical techniques for the spine, should be a latter resort, not a first one, experts say.

 

So what should you do if you experience back, neck, hip or shoulder pain and you’ve been advised to get surgery, but are concerned?

 

First, we must recommend that you follow doctor’s orders above any anecdotal commentary you may hear from friends or read on the internet. Yes, new procedures for spine repair crop up all the time – but what works for one person, or a hundred people, may not work for you, no matter how stellar the testimonials.

 

Instead, get a second opinion. We feel this is crucial regarding most surgeries, including spinal surgery. The most important part of considering a future surgery is knowing you have options. Don’t be pigeonholed into one method and one method only. There may be others out there you haven’t considered.

 

Next, be as spine-smart as you can. Sleep on a firm, supportive mattress with a supportive pillow (we recommend Tempur neck support pillows). Ask your physician about hip-separating pillows as well. These can help enormously with chronic hip and pelvic pain, depending upon the condition that’s causing it.

 

Observe good posture whenever you can. Sit up straight, with your shoulders slightly back and your head in line with the spine. (Of course, some conditions may prevent this, but if you’re capable, give it a try.)

 

Avoid bending over from the waist to lift heavy objects. Instead, bend your knees, lower, then lift.

 

Find out about physio as well. Some back issues can be helped, and even healed completely, using physical therapy. If you have the choice of surgery v. physio and you’re tempted to simply have the procedure and save time, stop and re-think. Yes, the right form of physical therapy can take time, but it is generally entirely non-invasive.

 

The bottom line: keep surgery as an option, but explore others under a doctor’s care. And be kind to your back in the meantime no matter what route you’ve chosen to take. Good back habits will last a lifetime and can save you significant grief…and may even help prevent more surgical procedures in the future.

 

Watch Your Back Whilst Shoveling

Everyone loves a pretty snowfall. What we don’t usually like is cleaning up the aftermath. As we reach the midway point through winter, experts are warning that when shoveling snow, special care should be taken to prevent injuries to the back.

 

And that’s important – because incorrect snow shoveling techniques can really do a number on one’s back, sometimes necessitating a hospital visit. So do be careful. Here’s how to help prevent spine and neck injuries while shoveling:

 

  • Buy a shovel that’s the right length for you. It shouldn’t be too short; this will make you bend forward and down too much. Heaving back up again from this cramped type of position carrying heavy snow can cause severe back injury, so watch out for a shovel that just isn’t a good fit.
  • Don’t try to save time by scooping up ever-increasing amounts of snow per shovelful. The more weight you must heft, the greater the chance of your back rebelling, and not in a good way.
  • Consider investing in a snow blower to make things easier on your body this winter.
  • If you experience any pain or discomfort, stop shovelling. It’s not worth the risk. (By the way, this includes chest tightening or discomfort, tingling of the limbs or dizziness as well.)
  • Once you come inside, take a warm to hot shower. Don’t scald yourself, of course, but heat is key here. Your muscles aren’t used to this type of exercise and will stiffen significantly if you don’t take preventive measures. Heat can help lessen post-exercise stiffness.
  • Protect your back while sleeping the night that you shovel. You have likely stretched ligaments and muscles, and sleeping on a lumpy, inadequate or otherwise uncomfortable surface in this state can cause your spine or neck to go out of alignment. Invest in a good mattress such as a Tempur visco elastic mattress if you don’t already have one.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re really not up to the task, don’t be a hero. Call on a friend or family member or if you can, hire a one-day service to remove the snow for you.