Why 6 inch elevation?

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but couldn't find any info on that. Wondering why the elevation should be six inches. I would think even a little higher was be more beneficial for circulation?
I've tried it now for 2 nights and facial swelling is down tremendously, although that could be because I've been more active that usual the last couple days also. Hoping and waiting to see if migraines disappear!

It's not the six inches that's important it's the angle...so if your bed is longer than standard then maybe seven inches will give the five degree angle. It's at this angle that circulation benefits the most....more than this may be a bit strenuous on the body..but might work for some, you want to be comfortable enough to rest as well. It IS the incline benefitting...to say " although it could be something else" is a counterproductive mindset. I noticed on Timpones interviews with Fletcher...he kept saying he felt good on incline BUT does many things so cannot be sure. This is a big problem for us humans...as soon as something moves our chi we become slightly afraid...trust me you will benefit a lot. It's the inclined bed. Good luck.

Thanks Ozone for your reply and answer. I am at almost 5 degree angle with 6 inch risers. I was going to raise up another inch, but I will keep it where it is.
The inclined position theory makes a lot of sense, I have no doubt it can correct many ailments. But I also know that increasing physical activity can help too with certain things, and as I had increased physical activity probably more than 50% of normal for me for the last few days, thought that might have added to the reduction in facial swelling. Just wish I would have started when on my usual routine, just to be sure. Not counterproductive mindset at all because I will continue with it. And looking forward to more improvements. I’ll be sure experientially if edema continues to be reduced on a normal routine and if migraines become ‘a thing of the past’ for me, because no physical or dietary changes have significantly corrected migraines.

Don't you think the increased activity could also be due to sleeping inclined? I would wager it is. So you are right....the activity is also good. Best of luck.

I used a closed loop of tubing filled with water with a little coloured solution added to where the tube was joined. The joined part of the tube containing the coloured salt solution was placed at the head end of the bed to observe how circulation occurred. Up to a 4 inch raise on a standard double UK bed the downward flowing salt solution ran along the bottom of the tube in one side of the loop. The fresh water ran above it in the same side. In other words, two directional flow in one tube. When the bed was raised a further inch, the complete loop of tubing circulated. The coloured salt solution flowed down one side representing arterial blood flow and the clean water flowed up the other side representing the venous return.
Another inch was added to the bed, which did not appear to accelerate the flow and return circulation. The higher you raise your bed, the more discomfort and slipping you will experience.
After varicose veins went flat in 4 weeks using the six inch raise which produced a 5 degree angle, I knew we had achieved a positive change in circulation.
I then asked the curator of a Boston Museum to measure an Ancient Egyptian Inclined Bed and it too was elevated six inches higher at the head end.

Thank you Andrew for your explanation. Very much appreciated!

Andrew, how long exactly is a UK double bed long? I am finding beds of all sorts of lengths here in Africa.

Have added a FAQ article for UK Bed Sizes: www.inclinedbedtherapy.com/faq/113-what-size-is-my-bed

Thanks. From my calculations then it means basically one gets full benefit passing 4degree incline.... If I target 4.5 I am in the clear. 5 guaranteed. Just put my daughter to 4.8 degree on my inclinometer....doubling bed risers. Whole family is now almost 5 degree inclined.