Positional Therapy Devices

Positional therapy devices change the way you sleep to help alleviate snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Since sleeping on your back is known to worsen the severity of — and in some cases cause — these conditions, most positional therapy devices work by encouraging you to sleep on your side. Other positional devices work by elevating your head or even moving your pillow to stimulate your throat muscles.

While some people can use positional therapy devices as a stand-alone treatment for snoring or certain types of mild OSA, most people with OSA find them most effective when used alongside another form of treatment such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. OSA that mostly occurs when you sleep on your back is a subtype of sleep apnea called positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA). You can work with your doctor to explore which sleep apnea treatment options will be most effective for your unique needs.

Positional therapy pillows for sleep apnea are meant to keep you in a position that helps alleviate OSA, while CPAP pillows are designed with curves and cut-outs that leave room for your CPAP mask. Some CPAP pillows include positional therapy features, but these may not be effective enough for people using positional therapy as a stand-alone treatment.

Positional therapy devices are almost always available without a prescription. However, it is still a good idea to talk to your doctor before using one to treat your snoring. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, which may need more treatment than a positional therapy device.

Some insurance providers, including Medicare, provide coverage for positional therapy devices used to treat sleep apnea. It is worth contacting your provider for more information since the specifics of this coverage will vary based on your provider and whether your doctor believes positional therapy is the right choice for your needs. While Sleep Doctor does not currently accept insurance payments, we will provide you with documentation you can submit to your provider for reimbursement.