PILLOW TALK

If you wake up with a backache or neck discomfort, don't immediately invest in a new mattress.  The problem could be your pillow -- be sure it holds your head in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing up.  A fairly firm pillow works best for side sleepers, a medium-firm one for back sleepers, and a soft one for people who sleep on their backs.

Compare firmness by placing pillows on a flat surface and compressing them with your palm to about half of each pillow's thickness.  The more pressure you have to apply, the firmer the pillow, and the faster it returns to its original shape, the more resilient.  Look for secure stitches, straight seams, evenly distributed filling, a usable zipper, piping that reduces wear on the edges, and a tightly woven cover to protect the fill.  Check foam pillows for odors that may or may not dissipate over time.
Sources: Better Sleep Council, Consumer Reports



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