Mattress Base

Isotonic Extra Loft Memory Foam Pillow

Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow Standard Size

It finally happened. My beloved Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow Standard Size bit the dust. And it didn’t die in a natural way. I had brought it downstairs to use while I lied on the couch and inadvertently left it there. My little 12 pound Jack Russell Terrier decided it was his new bed and refused to get off of it even with the lure of a piece of steak. I’m a sucker for that little dog and he really loved that pillow. He was so comfortable that I gave up and gave him the gift of proper head alignment for his whole body.

The pillow was older anyway so I decided to just replace it. When I saw that the medical supply place where I bought my first Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow sold the Isotonic Extra Loft Memory Foam Pillow, I decided to get it. My other one was great but an extra inch of foam would be more like a real pillow yet still cradle my neck.

Or so I thought …

About This Pillow

Visco-elastic memory foam equalizes pressure and reduces tension. Contoured pillow has 3-position design for total comfort on your side, back or stomach. Cover has 7 oz. of built-in Rely antimicrobial fibers. Plush contoured design adapts to all sleep positions. Cradles your neck and head for back sleepers. Stomach sleepers can invert the pillow and create a relaxing incline.

4-lb. density. Hypoallergenic. Pillow has removable zippered velour cover; washable cotton/polyester. Spot clean foam. Colored cord trim. 16×22x6″H. 6″ loft. 15-yr. mfr.’s limited warranty. USA of imported materials.

www.jcpenney.com

My Use

According to the many charts published for choosing Isotonic pillows, my height of 5′5″ and weight of 118 pounds falls into the petite to standard range for pillow loft. I didn’t realize that loft - or height of the “hump”, had to do with weight and height. I just figured I could get a little bit of a higher pillow and still get the cervical benefits.

This pillow measures 16″x 22″x 6″. It is an inch wider, longer, and higher than my standard pillow.

The pillow came with a plush terrycloth zippered liner which can be used as a pillowcase or as an extra layer of protection for the foam inside.

The foam has “memory” meaning you can press on it and the foam will spring right back to its original position.

The pillow is made so that you can lay your head on it and your neck will be supported. Your head, neck, and shoulders will be aligned while you sleep. Regular pillows tend to crook your neck higher or lower than shoulder level and can result in pain and stiffness.

After I sustained a neck injury, I had to learn to use a flatter, “humped” pillow. It took a while but it became the only pillow I could use without pain. I took it everywhere I went when I traveled and never missed a night sleeping on it.

The first night I got the extra loft version, I was happy to have a replacement pillow and a little excited about sleeping on a slightly higher pillow. I used to sleep on at least two pillows before my neck injury and, while I was used to my Isotonic, I thought it would be cool to sleep on a higher pillow while still getting all the benefits of a contoured one.

The pillow was encased in plastic and needed no special preparation. I just ripped off the plastic, put a pillowcase over the terrycloth covering, and got ready for a good night’s sleep.

Just as my regular Isotonic, this pillow has slight grooves on the underside to keep it from slipping and a slightly lower hump on one side to accommodate a variety of shoulder and neck sizes. You can turn it over if you sleep on your stomach and have the perfect incline for your neck.

The idea is to lie on the pillow with the contour bump directly under your neck. Your head is cradled so that it is aligned with the rest of your body. Once you get used to a contour pillow, it’s nearly impossible to go back to regular ones, at least for me. I couldn’t do it. My neck would scream in pain if I tried.

When I slept on the Isotonic Extra Loft Memory Foam Pillow, I was a bit uncomfortable. My neck was cradled but my head wasn’t flush with my body. Instead, my neck was lifted a bit higher than my shoulders and my head was in a valley rather than flat.

I woke up in pain. I wasn’t expecting that. I tried it again the next night and, even with the slightly lower side facing me, my neck hurt the next day.

My cool idea about sleeping on a higher pillow and still getting contouring benefits wasn’t so cool after all.

I found myself wanting to push down the foam an inch or so to correctly align my neck.

After night three, and day three of pain, I called the medical supply store and explained my problem. They told me that the Isotonic Extra Loft Memory Foam Pillow, was made for those people of my height who weigh over 250 pounds! The lowest weight a person should be while using this pillow is 150 pounds and that would be someone 6′5″ tall!

I had inadvertently chosen a pillow that was most definitely not made for my proportions.

A little bit of whining later, the medical supply store agreed to swap pillows with me for a 10% surcharge.

I readily agreed and got a new Isotonic Standard Size Memory Foam Pillow.

My head and neck thanked me the first night. It was like coming home again.

I haven’t slept without it since and, in fact, am writing this from a hotel room where my own Isotonic pillow replaces those marshmallows that hotel chains call pillows.

Different Sizes for Different People

These pillows come in petite, standard, and extra loft. Those who are very short and somewhat heavy or up to 5′6″ and very, very thin should use the petite size which is 4″ high. Most people fall into the standard 5″ loft size. If you are short and very heavy or very tall, you should get the extra loft pillow. Most places that sell the pillow have an easy to read chart. The little place where I bought my pillow had one but I didn’t realize that an inch one way or the other could make such a dramatic difference in my comfort level.

Trust me, it can and does. If you plan to buy one of these pillows, please pay attention to the size chart. The pillows are expensive and you may be stuck with a one that isn’t comfortable. The wrong size loft will not give your neck the support it needs and will end up causing you discomfort rather than easing stiffness and pain.

Buying Info

This pillow is available at a number of medical supply stores and is now available at many stores on and offline that sell pillows of all kinds. JC Penney carries this pillow now and several other large department stores do as well. It seems, since I got my last Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow, they have gotten more mainstream and are available more readily.

The prices haven’t gone down though. I paid $74.00 for this pillow. The standard was $10.00 less but the surcharge for returning the extra loft pillow ate that up. The petite size is quite a bit cheaper, probably because far fewer people fit into the category of those who should use the lower loft pillow.

The price is high but the right pillow will make you a believer. Just be sure to get the right size loft for you and give it a couple weeks for your neck to realize it isn’t being abused every night any longer and you won’t sleep without the pillow.

It will last for many years - if you don’t give it to your dog, of course.

Conclusion

This pillow is a wonderful one - for the right sized person. For me, it was a pain in the neck for real. However, as far as the memory foam, workmanship, and all around quality goes, it was just fine. This pillow would be great for those who fit into the height and weight range for its loft. I can’t downgrade the pillow based on the fact that I chose the wrong size.

It is a 5 star pillow for the right people. For me, it didn’t work out because I was trying to sneak in a higher pillow without consulting with my neck. My neck expressed its displeasure with the fast one I tried to pull and revolted.

Now that I have the right loft height for me, I am comfortable and pain free once again and sleeping like a baby.

Those who choose this pillow and fit into the right height and weight requirements will find that they, too, will sleep better, feel better, and have less or no neck pain after getting used to a new way of sleeping.

I give this pillow 5 stars as long as the right sized person uses it. It’s made very well and it is a lifesaver for those who need support and are taller or heavier than the average person.

Isotonic beats Tempurpedic in value Isotonic Sleep System Mattress I was thinking about a visco-elastic memory foam mattress ever since I saw the first ad for a new pro...

I gave my kid the cheap pillow and kept the good one. Oh, the guilt! Personal Expressions Memory Foam Contour Pillow I swear by my Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow Standard Size and my younger son had been hounding me for ...

I ache if I can’t sleep with you every night, my one and only Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow Standard Size I had a serious neck injury last year and my whole world seemed clouded by pain. Waking up was the wo...

Isotonic Extraordinaire Sleep System Queen Size ReviewsIsotonic foam mattress and foundation Positive Excellent sales pitchCons: Very uncomfortable. The foam softened rapidl...

Awesome Bed Nautilus Sleep Systems Ultimate Series Mattress I have my bed for over a year now, and have had only one problem which they took care of so quick it ...

Simmons Beautyrest Thera Foam Mattress Pad ~ Ummm…Cushy! Simmons Beautyrest Thera Foam Mattress Pad A few years ago we purchased an Isotonic mattress, and have been very pleased with it so far. The on...

Isotonic Sleep System Mattress

A Pillow That Won’t Swallow Your Head Isotonic Memory Foam Pillow Standard Size