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Do travel pillows really relieve the neck?

2022-08-02T04:29:06.819Z


Comfort, warmth, support... Travel pillows have it all, but are they really safe for our necks? Two professionals help us see things more clearly.


Who says long journey, often says painful arrival with tensions and aches all over the body.

In an attempt to minimize damage during a journey by train, car or plane, and to improve comfort, the travel cushion appeals.

Inflatable, rigid, in microbeads or with shape memory, it is available in all materials to meet everyone's desires.

As comfortable as it is during travel, is this accessory really beneficial for neck support and posture in general?

Answer with Nicolas Rodet, osteopath, and Jean-Christophe Guillaumot, masseur-physiotherapist.

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An accessory to hold the head and neck

Unsurprisingly, professionals both agree on the need for the cushion when traveling.

The latter would allow to benefit from a good maintenance of the head in transport.

“When you start to dive, your head tends to tilt forward and unbalance the cervical area, at the back of the neck,” explains osteopath Nicolas Rodet.

If not well controlled, this muscle relaxation can lead to spasms, according to masseur-physiotherapist Jean-Christophe Guillaumot.

Even, in the long term, more disabling disorders such as torticollis, migraines or dizziness.

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Not too tight and adapted to its environment

A few criteria should be taken into account to choose the best cushion.

The sine qua non is comfort.

From very firm to extra-soft support, everyone will have their preferences.

On the other hand, be careful not to feel too tight during the fitting.

“Too much compression can block blood circulation,” says Nicolas Rodet.

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While specialists emphasize the effectiveness of travel cushions, both agree that certain models are more suitable for certain travel conditions.

For lovers of backpacking trips, it is better to favor the inflatable cushion, with minimum bulk.

On the other hand, for a long-haul trip, the best solution remains the shape memory cushion.

"It will fit the person's anatomy as well as possible and will deliver a feeling of warmth to prevent frequent air currents at altitude", confirms osteopath Nicolas Rodet.

By train or bus, travelers will rather appreciate the circular pillow called "donut cushion", which can be used both to rest the head back, but also to relieve the buttocks while sitting on an uncomfortable seat.

Finally,

Last important factor before going to checkout: the budget.

Each purse will find something to enjoy with inflatable models from 4 euros, microbead pillows around 5 euros, "donut cushions" around 15 euros and shape memory comforters oscillating around 70 euros.

The alternatives

If however the investment in a cushion is still only at the project stage, other gestures make it possible to limit the muscular pains.

In the case of a trip by bus or car, we will take advantage of a break on the highway to take a few steps and move the pelvis.

"You have to avoid staying frozen all the way, because it blocks circulation", insists the osteopath.

If it is impossible to get up, like on a plane for example, you can also stretch your neck from your seat.

In practice, we move our head back so as to draw a double chin, then we inhale and exhale deeply.

"This allows you to relax the trapezius muscles and warm up the muscles", explains the masseur-physiotherapist.

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*Originally published in July 2019, this article has been updated.

Source: lefigaro

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