Experts have advised the public to use quality mattresses and pillows for proper spine alignment during sleep to prevent aches and pains which could be detrimental to physical and mental wellbeing.
The National President, National Association of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists (NAOMT), Dr. Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim, and President, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Dr. Nnenna Chigbo, gave the advice while briefing newsmen in Lagos.
They urged Nigerians to maintain a healthy sleep culture for better wellbeing, and also recommended brands of pillows, and mattresses, for their quality.
Teslim pointed out that poor ergonomic compliance in most mattresses and pillows result in unhealthy sleep due to bodily aches and pains from using them.
This situation also leads to poor postural alignments and deformities, he said.
The NAOMT president stated also that to maintain spine neutrality, quality pillows should align the neck with other body parts to support good posture.
Teslim, an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Pharmacophysiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University, also said that non-usage of pillows during sleep results in uneven pressure distribution in the neck muscles.
According to him, this is why some individuals may experience neck pain, stiffness and headaches, which affect work performance and economic wellbeing.
In the same vein, Dr. Chigbo said specific cells that help fight infection in the body increase significantly during healthy sleep, and quality mattresses and pillows determine a great deal how well one sleeps, as the body needs to align with them.
Both experts also advised consumers to always replace their pillows every one to two years.
