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| Julie Duck |
Oh, the importance of a good pillow! Where you rest your head, on both pillow and bed, can determine how good the next day will be, or not! I have fought the pillow wars for years, first trying convoluted foam, then goose down, then a down substitute, a buckwheat pillow, and now a breathable/memory foam combo model. And it looks like I will need to switch again, as my neck and right shoulder hurt. I imagine that there are millions of people out there just like me, in pursuit of better sleep through products such as a pillow, mattress, or bed. Here is where a doctor of chiropractic can step in and earn the patient's trust, as well as his dollar.
An old, sagging mattress offers the potential for restless sleep, tossing and turning, and waking up stiff, sore, and grouchy in the morning. Your patients could simply purchase a new mattress, but even this action can prove questionable to their health.
In 2007, a federal requirement was passed that requires toxic, flame-retardant materials be used in mattresses. (Thankfully, prescription-only beds are available that take this concern out of the equation.) Add this serious complication to the plethora of available mattresses, including memory foam, latex, and "dial-a-number" technology, and you have a patient who really needs some guidance.
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Your expertise and knowledge, combined with an understanding of the patient's health issues, will allow you to prescribe the right kind of bed for their needs. Additionally, keeping pillows on hand that are designed to address the health needs of the patient, including keeping the upper back aligned with the cervical spine, the airway open, etc, will give you the tools you need to offer patients customized sleep solutions.
Everyone wants a good night's rest. A patient's willingness to try new things to help them get better ZZZs puts you at an advantage should you choose to offer pillows and mattresses as part of your practice strategy. Sweet dreams can indeed be yours for the price of a good-quality mattress and pillow.
Julie T. Duck
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