How well are you sleeping at night? Do you wake up stiff and sore? Chances are you could benefit from one of the best pillows for shoulder pain. If you take the pressure off your shoulder and keep your spine aligned, you should notice a definite improvement in sleep quality.
There are several reasons why you could be experiencing shoulder pain. It’s a smart idea to consult with a doctor to discover the cause.
One of the most common sources is inflammation caused by a rotator cuff tear. But it could also result from tendinitis or arthritis. You don’t have to suffer a sports injury or overexert yourself. If you perform a lot of repetitive tasks during the day, it increases your risk. So can getting older and just sleeping on the same side for too long.
So, what’s the solution for shoulder pain while sleeping? It’s likely that your doctor will recommend a course of action like physical therapy, medication for the pain, and a different sleeping position. A new pillow could make all the difference.
When selecting a pillow for shoulder pain, take into account the position(s) in which you normally sleep. The object is to keep your spine aligned. If you sleep on your side most of the night, ensure that your head and neck don’t kink at an angle. This can put additional pressure on your shoulder.
Side sleepers will benefit from taller, firm pillows. Meanwhile, stomach and back sleepers need thin, softer pillows.
Other factors to consider include the fill and how easy it is to wash the pillow. Will you prefer solid memory foam, shredded memory foam, down, or hypoallergenic polyester? Will the pillow come with its own pillowcase, or can you use a standard size?
Top Pillows for Shoulder Pain
To help you find what you need to feel better as soon as possible, we selected the top pillows for shoulder pain. Check out the reviews below.
HOMCA Memory Foam Cervical Pillow for Sleeping + Neck and Shoulder Pain
First off, this isn’t a pillow in the strict sense. It’s a support for your torso the takes pressure off your shoulder and aligns your spine when you sleep on your side. It was clinically tested and shown to improve sleep by 20%. Moreover, it doubles as lumbar support for office chairs and airplane seats.
Be sure to select the proper size for your situation. Then once it arrives, place it 3 to 4 inches away from your pillow to leave a gap for your shoulder. It’s even possible to put it underneath the fitted sheet to keep it in place.
Sleep Yoga BP-SY02 Side Sleeper Arm Rest
Sleep Yoga makes it possible for side sleepers to relax and feel less pain. This special cushion is thick enough to support your free arm when you lay on your other side. It keeps your shoulder joint in alignment and protects your elbow and wrist, too. The comfortable Coolmax fabric is hypoallergenic and machine-washable.
MedCline LP Shoulder Relief Wedge and Body Pillow System | Shoulder Pressure Relief
Again, this isn’t a pillow for underneath your head. It’s an upper body support system with a cutout to take pressure off your shoulder and arm. When you sleep on either side, the slight incline relieves strain. Just insert your arm and get comfortable.
The wedge is primarily made from medical-grade foam so that it will last for years. The top surface is soft memory foam for cushioning. And it comes with a plush machine-washable cotton blend pillowcase.
Ebug Acid Reflux Relief Bed Wedge and Body Pillow System
Ebug also makes a wedge that reduces reflux. Instead of the 5-8 degrees incline of the shoulder wedge, this one ranges from 15 to 20°. If you’re dealing with GERD and a sore shoulder, try this product instead. It only takes up half of a queen-size bed. Additionally, it comes with a washable plush pillowcase.
Coop Home Goods – Eden Adjustable Pillow
Coop Home Goods engineered this contoured pillow to provide firm support when you sleep on your side. It stays cooler than the average memory foam pillow and resists odors, too. It’s perforated to allow air to flow and treated with natural materials to neutralize smells. Finally, it comes with a plush micro-filled microfiber cover that’s machine-washable.
Nest Bedding – The Easy Breather Pillow
Nest Bedding makes this adjustable Easy Breather pillow filled with CertiPUR shredded memory foam. It arrives overstuffed so you can leave it for extra-firm support, or remove some of the filling to lower the loft. The body of the pillow is hypoallergenic and breathable Tencel fabric. Furthermore, you can get this one in King, Queen, or Standard size.
Malouf  Z Gel Memory Foam L-Shape Pillow
Utah company Malouf created this L -shaped memory foam pillow for side sleeping. You can imagine how we can improve your experience if you tend to roll around during the night.
The gel dough is unique in that it feels cooler and softer than many other memory foam pillows do. It’s covered with a Tencel pillowcase that helps keep you cool and dry. In addition, the manufacturer offers a five-year warranty.
Zoey Sleep Side Sleeping Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief
The Zoey Sleep Side Pillow isn’t a regular pillow, either. You’ll need to add a cushion for your head. It’s built of memory foam in a wedge shape with a cutout for your arm and shoulder. You can choose from the front densities and sizes to suit your body and needs. And it comes with a washable case.
This is an American-made product that’s often recommended by medical professionals because it helps patients recovering from surgeries and shoulder injuries to sleep better at night.
Tempur-Pedic Ergo + Cooling Neck Pillow, Memory Foam, Ergonomic Design, Medium, Blue
The Tempur-Pedic Ergo isn’t a typical bed wedge. It’s a memory foam and polyurethane structure that cradles your upper body. You can lay on your side at a slight incline but you don’t need an additional pillow. It takes pressure off your shoulder while it supports your neck and head. Also, it includes a luxurious cooling cover that you can wash in the machine.
Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow
Therapeutica’s pillow was designed by an ergonomics expert along with a chiropractor. It’s made of foam and it’s firm. Let us repeat that–it’s very firm indeed. If it’s too rock-hard for you, the company suggests putting it inside a pillowcase and stepping up and down on it to break in faster.
The pillow is available in different sizes and comes with a custom pillowcase. Be sure to choose the best fit for your body. But once you have a match, it allows you to sleep on your side or your back in equal comfort. It promotes excellent posture.
Pregnancy Pillow, Full Body Maternity Pillow with Contoured U-Shape by Bluestone
Some people suffering from shoulder pain find relief when they sleep with a pregnancy pillow. It cradles your whole body. This one from Bluestone is filled with polyester and it molds into a variety of positions so that you can even use it while sitting up or nursing a baby.
When you lay on your side, it supports your neck, free arm, and leg. Some customers dealing with shoulder injuries report success getting better sleep with it. The package includes a machine-washable zippered cotton cover.
Z Shoulder Zoned Dough Memory Foam Pillow by MALOUF
Malouf also makes this contoured memory foam pillow with a recess for your shoulder. It consists of perforated (zoned) memory foam infused with bamboo charcoal. As a result, it stays cool and fresh and doesn’t pick up odors. Plus, it comes with a temperature-regulating Tencel pillowcase.
The memory foam is CertiPUR-US-certified to be free of heavy metals, formaldehyde, and other toxins. The pillow itself is covered by a five-year warranty.
Tempur-Pedic Adapt Symphony Pillow Luxury Soft Feel
Tempur-Pedic offers this x-shaped pillow for stomach sleepers. It’s thin and soft and enclosed in a quilted cotton cover. Although you can’t wash the pillow, you can remove and wash the case. Some people with shoulder pain find that sleeping on their stomachs brings them relief. Therefore, a pillow like this protects a stomach-sleeper’s neck from pain.
Duro-Med Side Sleeper Contour Pillow
The Duro-Med contour pillow has a hole for your ear. It makes it much more comfortable to lay on your side because it doesn’t feel as hot and it doesn’t put pressure on your ear. The u-shape cradles your neck and head as well as your arms depending on how you use it. It’s stuffed with polyester fiberfill for medium firm support.
Core Products D-Core Cervical Support Pillow
The Core Products D-Core cervical pillow makes it possible to sleep on your side or back and keep your spine aligned. It features a contoured edge with a dip in the center. It has a hypoallergenic polyester filling. If you tend to roll around at night, this may be an easy solution. Plus, you can use a standard pillowcase with it.
Conclusion
Don’t put up with things stiff and sore in the morning. There are several pillows for shoulder pain that can bring you relief. Just consider what size and what material will work best for you. We’d love to know which one you chose.
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