By Eveline Erni, P.T.

In addition to bringing color into your living room or bedroom, a pillow is a structural support device that is supposed to help you maintain neutral spinal alignment while sitting up or lying down. Support comes from the kind of material used as filler. The three most popular fillers are feather, foam, and husks (Yes, husks. What do you think a "Bucky" pillow is made from?). So how do you decide what is the best kind of pillow for you? Test, test, and test! Preferably over a couple of hours rather than a quick trial run, since things may be very different after spending the night together.

A pillow is judged on its malleability. In other words, how easily does the pillow shape to the contours of your body and once shaped, does it push back or lie there like a lump. Generally speaking, foam is the stiffest (with the most "push back"), husk pillows in the middle (with the most "lump") and feather pillows the softest (with less "lump" and a little more give). This is where personal preference plays a part. That foam pillow may become very uncomfortable after eight hours because it is not shaped exactly to your body's natural contour. On the other hand, the husk pillow, which, after the initial positioning, feels like a rock, is actually quite comfortable after eight hours despite its unyielding shape. Feather pillows are similar to the husk pillow because they will shape to your body, but the feathers may not be supportive enough for some.

Some cautionary advice: Those special contoured foam pillows are generally only a good fit for one particular position (e.g., back versus side lying). Unfortunately, if you switch from back to side or vice versa the foam will not fit your body in the new position. So be aware that you are limited in body position if you decide to buy one.

Personally, I really like feather and husk pillows. Feather, because I can crush it into whatever shape my body craves for that night's sleep. Husk, because it holds the shape I want but allows change when I shift my weight. A combination of these pillows has found a place of honor on my bed.