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    Supporting Caregivers: Comfort Strategies for National Family Caregivers Month

    Supporting Caregivers: Comfort Strategies for National Family Caregivers Month

    Protecting Caregiver Sleep and Reducing Musculoskeletal Strain

    Caregivers balance many physical and emotional demands. Interrupted sleep plus repetitive lifting, transferring, or prolonged sitting increases the risk of pain, fatigue, and burnout (Lynch, Driscoll, & Walker-Bone, 2022). Improving sleep posture, taking short movement breaks, and using a properly fitted pillow are simple, high-impact strategies that help both family caregivers and clinic staff feel better and function more effectively.

    The Critical Role of Sleep in Caregiver Health 

    Good sleep supports immune function, lowers stress hormones, and sharpens decision-making — all essential for safe, sustained caregiving (Besedovsky, Lange, & Born, 2019; Irwin, 2019). For caregivers who nap or have irregular sleep windows, keeping neck support consistent during rest periods makes those breaks far more restorative.

    How Hands-On Therapies Support Resilience

    • Chiropractic and physical therapy can reduce pain, restore movement and improve posture, lowering the physical load of daily caregiving tasks (Gleberzon, Goldberg, & Todres-Masarsky, 2023; Lynch et al., 2022).
    • Massage therapy reduces cortisol and enhances lymphatic flow, which supports recovery between shifts or demanding care episodes (Rapaport, Schettler, & Bresee, 2012; Field, 2021).

    Everyday, Practical Tips for Caregivers

    • Use the same supportive pillow for naps and overnight sleep. A Pillowise custom-fit pillow keeps neck posture stable across short rest periods and different sleeping surfaces.
    • Schedule micro-breaks every 60–90 minutes: stand, roll the shoulders, and do 30–60 seconds of gentle neck mobility to reset posture and reduce cumulative strain.
    • Add a small lumbar roll or folded towel for seated care tasks to protect lower‑back mechanics.
    • Keep naps short and strategic (20–40 minutes) and, when possible, use your fitted pillow so the nap restores energy instead of causing new stiffness.

    Integrating Pillowise

    Pillowise cervical pillows can aid in reducing neck tension that accumulates from awkward sleeping or dozing positions. When comfort is explicitly treated as part of care, caregivers and patients both benefit.

    Resources

    References

    • Lynch, M., Driscoll, T., & Walker‑Bone, K. (2022). Physical therapy and immune function: A review of evidence and applications. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 52(7), 365–375.
    • Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., & Bresee, C. (2012). A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(8), 789–797.
    • Field, T. (2021). Massage therapy and immune function. International Journal of Neuroscience, 131(10), 937–942.
    • Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Born, J. (2019). Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 471(6), 1–18.
    • Gleberzon, B., Goldberg, B., & Todres‑Masarsky, M. (2023). The influence of chiropractic adjustments on immune function: A literature review. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 22(4), 268–274.