| Most users seem to prefer pillows over the other | | | | Vests are not as dependable in keeping limiter on |
| positioning devices. The apparent reasoning is that | | | | spine as a shirt but depending on limiter dimensions |
| there is basically no interference at all with their | | | | and placement perform similar and they should not be |
| lifestyles. There may be a slightly higher degree of | | | | made of stretch type materials. |
| comfort to the user than with other positioning | | | | Body Braces like pillows must be of a good design to |
| devices. The big question is are the pillows beneficial. | | | | reliably keep you off your back. |
| The answer will be that it depends on the individual, | | | | Backpacks will in most cases work well keeping you |
| their health conditions and design of the pillow | | | | off your back and if designed only for sleeping can |
| mechanism. | | | | be comfortable and reliable. |
| When you move in your sleep you must have a | | | | Also of great importance is the design of the limiter. |
| pillow with slots or sleeves for your arm or an | | | | Some use Air Bladder. Some use Flexible Type Foam. |
| attachment that keeps you off your back, in a snit | | | | Some use Hard Foam. Some use a Wiffle or Tennis |
| position, elevated from the waist up or in whatever | | | | Ball (which will not usually be sized within the shown |
| position your condition requires. If it does not secure | | | | guidelines). Size of Limiter including depth and width or |
| you in some way it does not matter what is stated, | | | | diameter should be at least ¼ to 1/3 of width |
| it will not benefit you if you move off the pillow in | | | | across shoulders ( in other words somewhere |
| your sleep. Also even if the pillow has the | | | | between 5" and 9") (depth and width or |
| attachments and you do not use them you will not | | | | diameter)and being 10" to 15" in length for most |
| benefit if you move in your sleep. | | | | users. This in most circumstances will prevent rolling |
| Shirts, Vests and Backpacks have the advantage | | | | onto your back while asleep. The limiter also needs to |
| over pillows of allowing freedom of movement in bed | | | | begin at shoulder blade area and extend along spinal |
| while asleep. As long as it is of a good design (some | | | | area towards lower back for better outcomes. |
| input below) you can be fairly confident you will not | | | | I have slept with all of the above and the most |
| roll onto your back while asleep. Unlike pillows you | | | | dependable and comfortable for me were the Air |
| know there is some resistance behind your back but | | | | Bladder and Flexible Foam. Advantage of Air Bladder |
| you also have freedom of movement and to move | | | | is weight. Disadvantages are that Air Bladder feels a |
| your arms. This is a huge benefit to a user with rotor | | | | little stiff and may leak which can become |
| cuff repair, a shoulder problem, a toss and turn | | | | aggravating. Advantages of Flexible Foam are long |
| sleeper or everyone that moves at all in their sleep. | | | | useful lifespan with a reliable consistent pillow feel. |
| Shirts, Vests, Backpacks and Body Braces with | | | | Disadvantage is when not laying in bed there is more |
| limiting on the back mechanisms also need to be | | | | weight to foam than air bladder. |
| evaluated when it comes to keeping you reliably off | | | | Backpacks, Shirts and Vests with frontal attachment |
| your back. Many allow you to almost reach a supine | | | | mechanisms are also easier for users to put on and |
| position before they either become uncomfortable | | | | take off especially with the limiter on back. |
| (ball or hard foam) or are positioned on the lower | | | | With most positioning products available today only |
| area of back to allow shoulder to twist toward bed | | | | Air Bladder and Flexible Foam are designed to keep |
| and therefore head to be facing upwards (tongue | | | | you off your back while not disturbing your sleep. |
| and tissues fall back and may obstruct airway. The | | | | In conclusion, there is plenty of detailed information |
| general recommended placement of the limiting | | | | available about Positive Pressure, Dental Devices and |
| mechanism is between shoulder blades on the spinal | | | | Surgery available. When it comes to Positioning there |
| area where even if the lower upper body twists | | | | is very little with the exception of using the old |
| toward bed your shoulder will stay elevated and your | | | | method of sewing a pocket on the middle of the |
| head will lay sideways and tongue and tissue will fall | | | | back of a tee shirt and inserting a tennis ball in it. An |
| to the side of mouth which will help the airway stay | | | | inclusion of the importance of the above type of |
| clear. | | | | products to positional therapy would appear to |
| Many use a t-shirt to accomplish this task. At home | | | | benefit the sufferer of some sleep conditions. These |
| try a t-shirt on backwards with a ball in pocket (even | | | | products while not necessarily limited to the following |
| though the pocket will not be centered on the spine) | | | | include pillows, shirts, backpacks and braces. Any of |
| and simulate movement in your sleep by rolling back | | | | which may benefit the positional patient. |
| and forth from side to side on your bed and see | | | | The reality is that there are devices being marketed |
| how long the pocket stays in place. Try the same | | | | that are priced very reasonable, are comfortable and |
| thing with a pajama top on backwards (have your | | | | work for many positional sufferers which may not |
| partner button it). This type of top will not easily | | | | have some of the drawbacks that other therapies |
| stretch (like a t-shirt) and will normally be better at | | | | might have. |
| keeping limiter on or near spine. | | | | |