Side sleeping is the best way to keep your spine aligned, but many who try it are troubled by annoying pressure points at the knees, hips or shoulders. For side sleepers who can't adapt to bulky pillows or bolsters the Avana Side Sleeper is an essential aid. It's sized just right to comfortably cushion the knees without spreading your legs, or to support the hollow of the waist to relieve hip or shoulder discomfort. The Avana Side Sleeper's premium 5# memory foam contours on contact with to your body's natural warmth, embracing and supporting joints and muscles. Erect pile microfiber cover promotes circulation is machine washable and available in your choice of designer colors. Measures: 24" x 12" x 3"

Ask Dr. B on the Side Sleeper

Why do you recommend sleeping on your side?
If you get a full night's sleep and awaken feeling fine, there's no need to change the way you sleep. However, we know that roughly 85% of all adults suffer disabling back problems at some time, and many of these become recurrent. Many people awaken repeatedly during the night and many experience morning back discomfort. It is obvious that if you awaken with back pain, you should consider what has transpired over night. Anatomically, the lower back may be put under stress in the full prone (face down) or supine (face up) positions. Side sleep can relieve these stresses, allowing the vertebral column to remain in its anatomic position. In order to maintain this position, padding between boney prominences of the knees and ankles is helpful. This is the function of the Side Sleeper.

Why is the Side Sleeper shaped that way?
The Side Sleeper is designed to fit from knees to ankles, accommodate slight angles between the legs, conform and caress the limbs with highest quality memory foam in a stimulating tactile envelope. This provides a surface which helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep in an anatomically preferred position.

Why do you make long and short side sleep products?
Sleep styles vary. We want to offer products that work with peoples preferences and personal needs. Most people know whether they prefer a longer device which allows trunk, chest and arm support in addition to leg protection.

Do we really need all 6-8 hours of sleep every night?
Just how much sleep you need varies with age, health and waking activity; adults typically function best with at least 6 hours per night. Getting less than that impairs productivity, motor control and concentration. It can make you depressed, it can aggravate the perception of pain, and it's linked to higher rates of heart disease, obesity, and depression. Everyone has a "sleep bank." Waking activities are like withdrawals; good sleep acts like a deposit. To be fully restorative physically and mentally, complete sleep cycles, including REM are best. Long term sleep deficits (withdrawals) may require compensatory "deposits," which take many nights to recover.

Why is side sleeping so good for you?
Body support in the side position maintains ideal spinal alignment. The Avana™ Body Rest and Avana™ Side Sleeper cradle the ankles and knees to eliminate tossing and turning so your perfect sleep remains undisturbed. The Avana Pillow or Avana Contour Pillow complete the job by protecting the head and neck. Improved circulation and proper spinal alignment in the side position refresh the body while you sleep.

Is osteoarthritis permanent?
Osteoarthritis is far and away the most common type of arthritis. Most often it results from wear and tear secondary to repeated heavy loads, although surface damage from local injury can cause it even in young people. That's why it tends to affect the weight bearing joints, like the hip, knees and spine. Surprisingly, because of their small contact surfaces, the last joint of the fingers, especially the index finger, are subjected to high pressures and are among the most common site for osteoarthritis. Since the condition involves degeneration of cartilage, a tissue with very limited ability for repair, it is not reversible with medical means. Treatment is relatively straight forward, with medication, pressure relief and physical therapy as mainstays. When conservative treatments are inadequate, surgery can provide a permanent solution. Since pain tends to increase at night, comfort positioning in the so-called position of function makes sleep easier. The Berkie System, OneUp Leg Rest, Avana™ Body Rest and Avana™ Side Sleeper are excellent aids.

My shoulder hurts mostly at night. Is it arthritis?
There are many causes of shoulder pain. Perhaps the most common is usually called bursitis by laymen. Doctors refer to this as impingement syndrome, which covers the spectrum of tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff disease and arthritis of the outer end of the collar bone (clavicle). This condition commonly is painful when lying in bed, especially when rolling toward the affected side. Elevation of the torso with The Avana™ Slant can relieve much of the pain of shoulder injuries, surgery and impingement syndrome, and can improve sleep and lessen the need for medication. If you're a side sleeper, sleeping on the opposite side is a must, and works especially well on a memory foam mattress topper. You'll find that the Avana Contour Pillow, and either the Avana Side Sleeper or Avana Body Rest are invaluable aids.

True arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, large joint of the shoulder, is less common. Gout and rheumatiod arthritis can cause arthritis of the shoulder, but rarely affect this joint alone. Infection in the shoulder is rare unless there has been surgery or a penetrating injury.