Four Years After Cancer Treatment, I Am Finally Getting A Good Night's Sleep Thanks to the Technogel Anatomic Pillow (Review and Sleep Tips)

As a person who battled cancer, the last thing I thought about while undergoing treatment was the long-term side effects I would have.  Instead, like all other survivors, I was taking one day at a time, hoping to come out a stronger, cancer-free person.  I did just that, but then had to adjust my lifestyle as the long-term side effects like hot flashes,constant muscle spasms of the neck and shoulder muscle (due to radiation damage, and dry mouth, to name a few, crept in.  These side effects alone made a good night's sleep nearly impossible.  Most nights, I found myself tossing and turning, getting up for a glass of water or needing to change my pajamas from sweating and then getting chills.  So, a good night's sleep didn't seem like it was in the cards for me.

I can't tell you how many products I have tried over the years -- some from physician recommendations, while others from other cancer survivors I spoke with.  Most didn't work, and left me not only upset for spending money on these products, but also frustrated as I had to endure another restless night's sleep.  That was until I had the opportunity to try the Technogel Anatomic pillow available online at the Healthy Back Store.

I had stumbled upon this pillow on a search to try yet again another pillow that would offer the much needed support for my tired head and neck.  At first, I didn't want to get too excited, as I have only found disappoint in the past with pillows similar to these.  But, after just a few days of using, I began to feel (even if I had woken up 1-2 times in the night for a night feeding or diaper change with my daughters) like my "old self" again.  Going to sleep finally become enjoyable and not a chore.  And, for the most part, I was able to sleep through the night, only to wake feeling refreshed and ready to tackle on the day.   If you have experienced restless nights for some reason (medical, emotional, etc.), then you know how this takes a toll on your body and emotional mindset.  Even though you go through the motions daily, you really aren't enjoying what life has to offer.

Here is more about the pillow (taken from the Healthy Back Store website):

Technogel® Anatomic Pillow- provides excellent support and muscle relaxation for those suffering from neck, back or shoulder pain. The Technogel® Anatomic Pillow provides a cooling sensation which can alleviate headaches and keep you cool while you sleep!

• What is Technogel? Technogel is a unique 'soft solid' gel material that joins together the movement of fluid and the memory shape of a solid.  Non-toxic, made without oils or plasticizers.  First developed for the medical field.

• Which Technogel style is right for me?  The Anatomic Pillow is recommended for those who sleep primarily on their sides or on their back.

• How big is the Technogel Anatomic Pillow?  The Anatomic Pillow is 26" x 16.5" x 4.5"

WHY IS TECHNOGEL® DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER GEL?

There are other gels on the market, but Technogel® is clearly distinct from every other one. So-called “gel” products are not Technogel®. Why? Here follow 4 simple ways to differentiate Technogel® from these other gels.

These so-called gels are made combining a blue powder with a visco-elastic foam, which does not provide the Technogel® soft-solid 3-dimensional displacement. In other words, the material moves in every direction like water, keeping the shape memory as a solid body.

These other gels are molded with a honeycomb structure, using hard, but elastic compact materials, which don’t deform, but simply collapses under weight. This system basically works ON/OFF (the material collapses 100% of the time or not at all). Hence, it does not provide the modular adaptation quality of Technogel®.

Thin layers of flat “so-called” gels are thin to work providing a soft adapting support. Being solid, gel needs to be quite thick to function in the correct manner, which is to move and adapt to a body’s contours. The Technogel® materials in our product have been designed and ergonomically tested to ensure added value and “real deformability” to our supports for sleeping.

Flat gels poured in convoluted foams offer an uneven surface to support the body (areas of gel are combined with areas of foam with different mechanical properties). The mix of foam and gel avoid gel lateral movements. The “tower” geometry of the Technogel® surface, instead, has been carefully studied to provide the maximum degree of freedom for lateral displacement, while constantly maintaining an even surface.

Key Features of this Pillow:

• 3D deformation: Technogel® is the unsurpassed 3-dimensional material for sleeping. The Technogel® layer, joined with the memory foam,adjusts in a gradual way adapting to each individual’s shape.
  
• Pressure Relief: Thanks to its slow memory return, Technogel® is an extraordinary pressure relieving material, that helps to reduce pain and discomfort, improving blood circulation and oxygenation of skin tissue.
  
  
• Ergonomic Support: The Technogel® pillow range has been designed to grant an excellent ergonomic support, for a perfect support of the head and neck, keeping an optimum spine alignment.
  
• Enjoyable Cool Feeling: Technogel®'s good thermal conductivity favors heat dispersion, helping to lower skin temperature and offering a pleasant cool feeling.
  
• Pillow Fabric Cover: Original protective jersey covers have been selected for their high quality and hygienic characteristics, assured by a special treatment named Sanitized®. The second zipped cover, included in the Technogel® box, assures a perfect feeling for your new pillow and can be easily washed (following the care instructions included).
  
• Hypo-allergenic: Technogel®, its protection film and all the textile used are hypo-allergenic and assure an hygienic surface where to rest your head.

“Makes short work of neck stiffness, bringing refreshing relief”

A restful night’s sleep has positive effects on your mind and body, it determines the quality of your life. Better nights mean better days. An appropriate pillow should be able to adapt to your body conformation and offer the maximum comfort; that’s why you cannot ignore, when choosing your new pillow, looking at high quality products that can enrich your sleeping experience.

The Technogel® pillow, made in Italy with particular care and attention to details, uses high technical and innovative materials that allow for a higher comfort performance.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and intermittent sleep problems that can significantly diminish health, alertness and safety. Untreated sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Sleep problems can take many forms and can involve too little sleep, too much sleep or inadequate quality of sleep (Source: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/sleep-studies).   

Based on these findings, it shows that products like the Technogel Anatomic pillow, as well as other products available at the Healthy Back Store can help make getting a good night's sleep possible. And, with summer in full swing, many of us find the longer days draining on our bodies.  If we can't get that much needed sleep at nighttime, we are not able to function properly the next day.  This is not only a disadvantage to ourselves, but our family.  Why not give the following sleep tips a try?  Hopefully you will be drifting off to sleep quickly and peacefully, only to wake feeling like $100 bucks. :-) 

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

There are many things you can do to help you get a good night’s sleep. Here are some ideas:

• Follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Try to avoid napping in the late afternoon or evening, as it may keep you awake at night.
• Develop a bedtime routine. Take time to relax before bedtime each night. Some people watch television, read a book, listen to soothing music, or soak in a warm bath.
• Keep your bedroom dark, not too hot or too cold, and as quiet as possible.
• Have a comfortable mattress, a pillow you like, and enough blankets for the season.
• Exercise at regular times each day but not within 3 hours of your bedtime.
• Make an effort to get outside in the sunlight each day.
• Be careful about when and how much you eat. Large meals close to bedtime may keep you awake, but a light snack in the evening can help you get a good night’s sleep.
• Stay away from caffeine late in the day. Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, soda, and hot chocolate) can keep you awake.
• Drink fewer beverages in the evening. Waking up to go to the bathroom and turning on a bright light break up your sleep.
• Remember that alcohol won’t help you sleep. Even small amounts make it harder to stay asleep.
• Use your bedroom only for sleeping. After turning off the light, give yourself about 20 minutes to fall asleep. If you’re still awake and not drowsy, get out of bed. When you feel sleepy, go back to bed.

 (Source: http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/good-nights-sleep)

In addition to these useful sleep tips, why not consider purchasing a new pillow, like the ones available at the Healthy Back Store?  This may be the underlying culprit on why you can't sleep well.  There is a reason why they have a variety of pillows on the market, including firm, soft, contoured, memory foam, down, feather, pillows for side sleepers, back sleepers, etc.  You will have to do your research and try out these types of the pillows before deciding on one that is right for you.  I know as I have gone through over a dozen pillows over the years, only to now have found the one that works best for, thanks in part to this review opportunity.

So, don't go another night tossing and turning.  Look at your sleep habits, pillow and sleep environment, and make the necessary changes to help make falling and staying asleep easier.  Don't expect things to change overnight -- but, in time, you will be feeling like your old self again, after you finally get the must-needed sleep your body deserves!

---BUY NOW---

Click here --- http://www.healthyback.com/ ---- to visit the Healthy Back Store, and check out their inventory of pillows and other sleep aids, along with back support products for work and home. The Technogel Anatomic Pillow I reviewed retails on this site for only $169.99.

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.