Selecting a comfortable pillow does more than only improve your quality of sleep. In the end, it improves your posture by increasing comfort, encouraging improved spinal alignment, and easing unpleasant back and neck pain. But pillows aren’t made to last a lifetime. As noted by internal medicine physician Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, if you discover that your pillow has lost its fluff and you are now considering utilizing many pillows for neck support or using a new, high cushion, it is important to remember that it can potentially cause complications.
1. Improper alignment
The most noticeable adverse effect of using a high pillow or several pillows is bad upper body posture, especially in the areas surrounding your neck and spine. The University of Rochester Medical Center states that an excessively high cushion will raise the head and neck excessively, which will result in an abnormal curvature of the spine.
2. Tense and tight muscles
Your posture, particularly in the areas surrounding your neck and spine, should be supported by a pillow. However, if your pillow is unsupportive—for example, too high—it might lead to stress and stiffness in your neck. “Using a high pillow can cause muscles in the neck and shoulders to remain contracted throughout the night. This constant tension can lead to stiffness that you may feel when you wake up, making it difficult to feel fresh,” added Dr Agarwal.
3. Problems with breathing
Proper breathing can be affected by sleeping with a high pillow, especially for those who are susceptible to respiratory conditions like asthma or sleep apnea. A study that was published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science reveals that high pillows restrict the amount of airway space that allows air to enter the laryngopharynx by overly bending the curvature of the normal cervical region.
4. Issues with digestion
You’re mistaken if you believe that utilizing a cushion that is too high will make you more comfortable. Your head and neck are truly misaligned as a result. Sleeping with the head propped up on a high pillow may aggravate heartburn or acid reflux by allowing stomach acid to reflux back up into the esophagus.
5. Inadequate blood flow
Additionally detrimental to circulation is using a high cushion, particularly in the arms and shoulders. Over time, it may cause numbness, tingling, or even more serious circulation issues by limiting blood flow to the limbs. Inappropriately tall pillows impair blood circulation in the neck, which raises the risk of neurological conditions such cerebral hemorrhage, according a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science.
6. Headache or mild strain
“Improper alignment of the head while sleeping can place excessive pressure on the neck muscles and blood vessels,” elucidated Dr Agarwal. In certain situations, this discomfort could make tension headaches or even migraines more likely. Additionally, headaches might be brought on by inadequate sleep.
7. Skin issues and wrinkles on the face
A person’s face may experience increased pressure when using a high pillow, which may result in the development of deeper wrinkles and lines, especially around the forehead and eyes. These creases from sleep might grow permanent over time and accelerate the aging process. In addition, inflammation and acne breakouts may be brought on by the pressure that a high pillow puts on the skin.
