Pillow development story

My father's instructions on making handmade pillows

In 1972, Yamada Shuori's father, Hidemaru Kumagai, opened Naruse Orthopedics in Machida City, Tokyo. Since then, for 35 years, we have continued to consider the importance of pillows in relation to sleeping posture while dealing with patients suffering from neck pain and lower back pain every day, and have continued to provide handmade pillows tailored to the patient's body. .

His daughter, Shuori Yamada, who grew up watching these medical examinations, also became an orthopedic surgeon and continues to provide handmade pillows tailored to patients' bodies.

In 2002, we opened a "pillow outpatient clinic" to help more patients understand the importance of pillows, and in 2007, as the space became too small, we moved to Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. I opened No. 16 Orthopedic Surgery.

To many patients in need

Every day, patients come to the pillow outpatient clinic of Orthopedics No. 16 for complaints such as ``I can't turn my neck when I wake up,'' ``My shoulders are stiff in the morning,'' ``My custom-made pillow doesn't fit,'' and ``I wake up many times at night due to insomnia.'' Many patients come to the hospital. Why is that? We believe this is because correct knowledge about pillows is not widespread.

In our parent-child pillow research, we listen to patients' voices every day in a small clinic, teach them how to make pillows using materials they have at home (zabuton and towel blanket), and then provide feedback on how their symptoms have changed. It was the very work of a clinical site.

``I'm afraid to sleep at night.'' ``Do the doctors understand how painful it is to not be able to sleep easily?'' In the examination room, I heard many serious complaints from patients. I want to make things as easy as possible for these patients.

Pillow outpatient clinic: Handmade pillow instruction

The result is the culmination of information accumulated over 35 years.

1. Just the right size - perfectly tailored to each individual's physique

2.Flat structure ~ Does not inhibit tossing and turning

3. Permanent maintenance of pillows

This is the concept of three pillows. It is important to use a pillow that meets the above three points. We sincerely hope that patients choose pillows that protect the important physiological phenomenon of sleep, so that their symptoms can be alleviated, and those who are healthy can further improve their health.

What are pillows used for in the first place?

As humans walk upright, the average weight of our heads weighs 4 to 6 kg on our necks while we are awake. The only time you can truly rest your neck is when you sleep and take the weight off your head. You need a pillow to give your neck some rest under the right conditions. For patients admitted to orthopedic clinics with neck problems (for example, whiplash from traffic accidents, cervical disc herniation, etc.), a suitable pillow is an important treatment. Even ordinary people wake up in the morning with stiff shoulders, headaches, numb hands, wake up in the middle of the night with pain in their lowered shoulders, or feel uncomfortable in the middle of the night and have to remove the pillow or lie on their stomach. , sleeping with your hands on each other...have you ever had that experience? The most likely cause of these problems is the wrong pillow. It's a bad idea to sleep without a pillow. We believe that the right pillow can help treat insomnia, improve nighttime apnea and snoring, and reduce prone sleeping.

Why do we make and sell our own products?

I felt the limits of handmade pillows. Patients are asked to bring a wide variety of materials, making it difficult to provide guidance. What's more, as you continue to use it, it tends to wear out, and the ``just right'' height you've worked so hard to find will shift. Little by little, I started to feel a sense of responsibility that I had to take responsibility and spread the word about the right pillows, including the materials. In 2003, he established the Yamada Shuori Pillow Research Institute and began selling orthopedic pillows.

There has been some criticism of doctors establishing their own company and selling products, but I would rather spread the right pillows to the world than such criticism. We wanted to reduce the number of patients and customers suffering as much as possible. We have established a system for ``pillow diagnosticians'' which has its limitations in the medical field, and have taught the important method of measuring pillows, and many ``pillow diagnosticians'' are now working throughout the country.

Conditions for the correct “pillow”

This is very important, so please let me explain it again. What are the conditions for a proper "pillow"? Our conclusion is this.

Just size

Size to suit individual body differences. Do you choose the height according to your preference? When lying down at night to rest your neck, the height of your pillow is important. Through experience and research, we have found that there is an optimal pillow height for each person. There is only one pillow height that will suit you. You need to choose the right size pillow carefully and accurately.

flat structure

Natural rolling over and stability of the neck (cervical vertebrae) are determined by the material and shape. Do you choose materials according to your preference? The shape and material of the pillow are also important. If the material is such that your head sinks into it when you sleep, or the shape of your chin rises when you lie on your back, this will put strain on your neck while you sleep. The shape must be flat and the material must maintain the correct height.

maintenance

Pillows need to be reviewed as appropriate, depending on changes in pillows and changes in the physique of the person sleeping. Even if you get a pillow that is just the right size and has a flat structure, the environment surrounding pillows is constantly changing. Temperature and humidity, bedding and pajamas change depending on the season, and of course, your physique changes. Pillows can also change shape over time. Maintain and respond appropriately to such changes. This is also an important point.

To complete the world's first sleep posture theory

Forty years ago, there was no sleep position theory anywhere in the world. In order to save the patients in front of us, we will continue to take on challenges and build upon them.

We have received tremendous support from doctors who deal with patients suffering from stiff shoulders and other symptoms on a daily basis, and we have over 70 affiliated hospitals nationwide, and the circle of ``posture revolution'' is spreading throughout Japan. The photo shows Shuori Yamada giving a presentation to doctors at the Japanese Society for Musculoskeletal Pain.

Over 300 media outlets have asked for comments on the pillow.

Shuori Yamada, the representative of the Shuori Yamada Pillow Research Institute, has appeared on many TV programs as a pillow teacher. My days are busy with my work as a doctor and as a representative of my company, but I believe it is important for as many people as possible to know the importance of their precious pillows, so I will accept requests as much as possible without interfering with my work as a doctor. We will accept requests as long as possible. I have appeared on many TV programs such as TV Asahi's "Osamu Hayashi's Now! Lecture", Nippon Television's "ZIP!", TBS's "The Taikohan of the Great Doctor!", and Nippon Television's "World's Most Wanted Class".

Pillows loved by top athletes and celebrities

Orthopedic pillows are loved by athletes and celebrities, including professional baseball players, professional rugby players, and famous actresses. An orthopedic surgeon devised and developed this product for patients who suffer from the pain of waking up in the morning, and then manufactures and sells it himself. It is a comfortable bed that has been receiving high reviews from users one after another.

Custom-made pillows measured in store

Custom-made pillows that meet the conditions for a correct "pillow," select materials, provide measurement methods, and require a membership for maintenance are sold in stores as "orthopedic pillows."

It can be purchased at the Kanagawa Sagamihara Main Store, Tokyo Shibuya Branch, and affiliated hospitals nationwide. Sales amount: 31,900 yen (tax included) ~

Selling pillows that can be custom-made at home during the coronavirus era

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we want our customers to feel safe when purchasing pillows that cannot be purchased without visiting our store, but we felt that visiting our store was making them feel anxious. Therefore, we have started selling pillows that customers can purchase without visiting our store, although customers often have to do the measurement and maintenance themselves. That is the "Orthopedic Pillow Doctor's Pillow" .

Although you can purchase without visiting our store, you may be concerned about whether or not you will be able to get the pillow to the "just size". There is detailed information in the instruction manual on how to adjust this height so that you can adjust the height yourself.

1. How to determine the height using the height and weight guideline

2. How to determine the height using the height check method

3. How to use the automatic measurement system to suggest a recommended height by entering your height, weight, age, and gender.

I think one of the strengths of this pillow is that it can be adjusted to the height of your usual futon or bed. We also offer telephone support if you contact us by phone after purchasing. Additionally, in the unlikely event that this pillow doesn't suit you, we also offer a 20-day return guarantee. You will only be responsible for the return shipping costs, but please be assured that you will receive a full refund at the time of purchase.

Why even offer a return guarantee?

This is because we want to alleviate any concerns you may have when purchasing pillows online without visiting our store. Of course, there is a pillow height that is suitable for each person, so we are confident in selling orthopedic pillow doctor's pillows, but there is still a certain amount of anxiety involved in purchasing, so please do not worry even a little. I would like to purchase it.