Using A Pillow While Sleeping On The Stomach
Sleeping on the stomach is the most stressful position for the back and neck. Patients may be advised by their doctors to avoid sleeping on the stomach if they have certain spine conditions, or following spine surgery.
If sleeping or resting on the stomach is preferred, the pillow should be relatively flat, or the head should rest directly on the mattress, so the head and neck aren’t strained. In this position, it is often best to place another relatively flat pillow under the abdomen or pelvis to help the lower back keep its natural alignment.
I Am Unable To Sleep Can The Medcline Shoulder Relief System Help
If youre experiencing lasting general shoulder pain or discomfort as the result of an injury, sleeping comfortably can become a serious challenge, especially if you sleep on your side. When you use a regular pillow, pressure is automatically applied to whichever shoulder youre sleeping on, which can intensify pain while you sleep and even make symptoms worse over time. The MedCline Shoulder Relief System is specially designed for shoulder pain. By gently lifting your body, you can take the pressure off of your shoulder, and in turn, alleviate nighttime shoulder pain. Better than side-sleeping pillows, which just elevate your head away from your shoulder, MedClines three-component Sleep System actually removes pressure from your down side arm and shoulder.
These Bestselling Pillows From Amazon
Amazon
Fill: Down alternative fill | Trial period: 30-day return policy | Adjustable: No
Amazons bestselling pillow has gel memory foam filling and a rectangular shape that offer an ideal combo for side sleepers. Its important to have a pillow that contours to the head and neck, and this pillow does just that. Its no-shift design makes it ideal for the side sleepers who switch sides during the night and dont want to constantly adjust to find that perfect angle for a quality nights sleep.
What the reviews say: With more than 155,000 reviews,happy sleepers agree that the Beckham pillows are the ideal balance of firm and soft. When you lay down on them your head sinks into the pillow but is still supported enough to stay slightly elevated, writes one 5-star reviewer. For side sleeping, this is one of the very few pillows where it is just the right height and I don’t have to use a second pillow with it, writes another.
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Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow
Price: $$
Customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This handmade pillow has a curved side and is tall enough to help you avoid hunching your shoulder up too close to your ear. This helps maintain neutral spinal alignment during sleep. The ribbon edging helps the pillow resist bunching and sagging so that it maintains its height and shape.
It has a hidden zipper along one seam, so you can adjust the amount of fill youre comfortable sleeping on. The fill is made from copper-infused foam and micro-gel fiber, which helps maintain a cool temperature.
Its made in the United States by the Honeydew Sleep Company . Users like their good customer service and the 60-day risk-free trial with free return shipping.
Some users complain that the pillow has a smell for several days after opening. Others dislike the need to only buy pillowcases made specifically for this pillow.
Best Pillow For Shoulder Pain
While sleep can be a time of relief and relaxation, its tense and uncomfortable for those with shoulder pain. Many find shoulder pain is exacerbated at nighttime, so it might be wise to invest in the best pillow for shoulder pain. After all, the wrong pillow can throw your spine out of alignment and fail to support those pain points. To help you on your journey, weve created this roundup for the best pillows for shoulder pain in 2022.
Disclaimer: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldnt take the place of advice or treatment from your physician or medical professional. This review is meant to be an informative guide for those looking to maintain healthy posture while they sleep. User experiences and needs will vary. If you experience lasting pain, soreness, or discomfort while sleeping, its always a good idea to seek out a healthcare professional in person.
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What Else Should Side Sleepers Look For In A Pillow
No one is expecting you to switch pillows every time you change sleeping positions. But if you know you’re a diehard side sleeper for a decent portion of your eight hours, or you’re a pregnant person who must now navigate doctor’s orders to sleep on your side, shopping with these features in mind could decrease your middle-of-the-night fluff and flip sessions.
Once you find a good loft and firmness, you can start shopping based on personal preference:
The prices listed are the starting prices for each pillow, but know that most of these will increase if you buy a bigger pillow . Here are the best pillows for side sleepers and side binge-watchers in 2022:
Why Does My Shoulder Ache At Night In Bed
If your shoulder pain worsens in bed, it might be time to purchase a new mattress or pillow. A mattress without the proper support or pressure relief can contribute to shoulder pain. The same goes for a pillow if your spine is misaligned and if your head is improperly supported, shoulder pain can worsen.
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How Can I Use A Body Pillow To Relieve Shoulder Pain
A recent small study of eight people found that using a body pillow to sleep on their left-hand side reduces body pressure on the hips, shoulders, and across the body.
However, this was a small-scale study, so more research is necessary to investigate the benefits of body pillows for relieving shoulder pain.
Shoulder Pain And Sleep
According to Ruben Gobezie, M.D., founding director and chief of surgery at the Cleveland Shoulder Institute, discomfort in bed and sleep problems are common issues for people with shoulder pain. Patients frequently feel discomfort regardless of which sleep position they employ. Some also feel numbness, tingling, and muscle spasms.
While any of the conditions listed above could contribute to shoulder pain-related sleep problems, Dr. Gobezie notes three specific conditions are the most common culprits:
- Bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa sacs that cushion bones around joints in the body. Inflamed bursa produce more liquid which can lead to painful swelling.
- Biceps tendinopathy, a condition that occurs due to prolonged deterioration of the biceps tendon that connects shoulder bones and muscles. Tendinopathy is characterized by sharp pains around the tendon.
- Tears and other injuries to the rotator cuff, a grouping of muscles that cushions and stabilizes the shoulder joint.
Before seeing medical attention for any of these conditions, Dr. Gobezie recommends taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also try sleeping in a recliner, applying ice or heat to the pain-affected areas, or wearing a compression sleeve.
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A Pillow That Can Be Customized To Your Side Sleeping Needs
Coop Home Goods
Fill: Shredded memory foam | Trial period: 100-night sleep trial | Adjustable: Yes
The pillow thats right for someone else might not be perfect for youthats why Coops pillow is adjustable. You can remove or add the foam fill until you find the firmness level thats just right for you. Its also GreenGuard Gold certified and contains no toxic or harmful chemicals. Also worth noting: The cover and fill are machine-washable, so you can keep both your pillow cases and your actual pillow super clean.
What the reviews Say: With nearly 50,000 ratings, the vast majority of which gives five stars, its a winner for lots of folks: I am a side sleeper who desires a great deal of support. Because this pillow has pieces of memory foam instead of a solid piece, it does not condense and it is airy, providing airflow keeping it cool. My highest recommendation!
Best For Back Sleepers
- People who frequently wake up with soreness in their neck and shoulders
- Side and back sleepers
Sweet Nights Original Pillow is a great option if youre looking for an adjustable pillow. Available in standard, queen, and king sizes, the pillow uses fill consisting of shredded, gel-infused memory foam blended with shredded polyfoam. Our testers reported that this combination created a plush yet supportive surface for the head and neck with even contouring around these areas.
You can unzip the cover to add or remove the fill and adjust the pillows loft and feel. We recommend a thicker, fuller loft for side sleepers. Back sleepers may need to remove some of the initial fill to lower the loft and sleep comfortably. Each order includes a bag of additional fill.
A Tencel-blend cover is both breathable and moisture wicking, making the pillow a good option for hot sleepers, people who sweat in their sleep, and those who live in exceptionally warm or humid places. The shell can be removed and machine-washed, though Sweet Night suggests hand-washing the fabric to extend its lifespan.
The Original Pillow comes at an affordable price-point, and Sweet Night offers free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S., though certain remote regions will be charged an extra delivery fee. The sleep trial runs for 30 nights, during which you can decide whether to return the pillow or keep it. Those who choose the latter receive a 3-year manufacturers warranty.
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What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow For Neck Pain
Most people dont give much thought to their pillow, beyond choosing a pillow thats nice and squishy for immediate comfort. This means that when we do realize our pillow may be contributing to our neck pain, we may not know how to go about choosing the best pillow. If youre in this position, you may be susceptible to misleading marketing and end up choosing a pillow thats ill-suited for your needs.
To help you get started, weve made a list of the most important factors. Focusing on these factors and having a basic understanding of pillow features and construction can help you find the pillow that works best for you.
Other Pillows We Tested
From $49 at Garnet Hill
We loved the Garnet Hill Heirloom European White Goose Down Pillow, so its no surprise we also liked their down-alternative pillow as well. Its more plush and supportive than most other synthetic fill pillows we tested and keeps its shape throughout the night. Its washable and comes in three firmness levels. Garnet Hill also has a 90-day return policy.
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Can I Buy The Medcline Shoulder Pain Relief System Wedge On Its Own
We currently do not offer the wedge component of the MedCline Shoulder Pain Relief System on its own. Each system includes the wedge, an insert pillow for comfort, the body pillow, and a set of cases for each. The three pillow components are meant to work together to provide pain relief as well as comfort. We encourage you to try the system as a whole.
How We Chose These Products
Everyone needs a pillow, but not all of them target shoulder pain. We relied on physical therapy experts like Scantalides to share their short list of tried-and-tested brands that accommodate those with sleep-deprived joint and muscle issues. We took the most popular and highly reviewed pillows for a test-spin to check them out in person and see how they impacted our sleep, while also keeping characteristics like fabric quality and eco-conscious efforts in mind.
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Why We Love The Tempur
- It comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. This allows you to select the loft that matches your needs.
- The cover is hypoallergenic, removable, and machine-washable.
- The proprietary memory foam is molded into a wave-like shape, supporting the bodys natural curve.
Price: $119$159, with a five-year warranty and free shipping.
Read our full TEMPUR-Neck pillow review.
A Luxurious Option That Helps Relieve Strain
Parachute
Fill: Down | Trial period: 60-day return policy and 3-year warranty | Adjustable: No
This Parachute Down Sleeper Pillow has a special design with a 3.5-inch gusset that takes the strain off your neck and shoulders so you sleepand wake uppain free. The medium-density pillow is constructed with luxurious 750 fill power European white down stuffed inside a 100% cotton sateen shell that’s woven extra tight so no feathers poke through.
What the reviews say: Reviewers rave about this pick, with one person gushing: This pillow has changed my life…I now sleep through the night, wake with no neck or back pain and feel rested and happy!
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What Were Looking For:
Loft: The loft, or height, of your pillow is a crucial factor for side sleepers to consider. Dr. Toussaint-Keshinro explains that keeping your head, neck, and shoulders in a neutral and even position is most important. If a pillow is too flat or too high, it can create an uneven muscle tone in the neck and shoulders, leading to spasms over time. While there isnt a formula to figure out the ideal loft of your pillow, Dr. Dennis Colonello, celebrity and professional-athlete chiropractor at Peak Wellness and all33 co-founder, suggests that your pillow be around four inches off of your mattress. But dont go breaking out your ruler just yet, as there is wiggle room with this number. For taller people with broader shoulders, a higher loft may be more comfortable, and conversely, a petite person with more narrow shoulders will likely rest comfortably with a lower loft.
Firmness: All of our experts agreed that medium-firm pillows tend to be the best option for people sleeping on their side. While there is room for personal preference here, a medium-firm pillow helps your head stay in the right position without sinking while you sleep. For people who like to dream on a bed that feels like fresh brioche buns instead of a firmer surface, gusseted-down and down-alternative pillows can be a plush compromise. Additionally, Cushner and Foley suggest memory foam pillows, as they sort of mimic the softness of down by contouring to your body, while still providing support.
Side Sleeping And Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is one of the largest, most movable, and complex joints in the human body. It is made up of the clavicle , scapula , and humerus . The shoulder joint has a wide range of motion, therefore, making it more vulnerable to injury. This, in turn, unsurprisingly, relates to published data that shows the prevalence of shoulder pain in the UK population at an estimated 7%.
Sleep disturbance and poor sleep quality resulting from shoulder pain due to many different shoulder conditions are well recognised. Although the causes of shoulder pain vary widely, the most causes of shoulder pain at night, according to the Cleveland Health Clinic, are:
- Rotator cuff injuries: Overuse of the rotator cuff can result in tendonitis, strains, and tears of the tendons.
- Rotator cuff tears: Tears of the rotator cuff can happen as a result of an accident or happen over time as a result of a repeated motion.
- Osteoarthritis: As a result of cartilage degrading over time.
Did you know?Shoulder disorders are the third most common musculoskeletal condition presented to doctors in UK primary care
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How We Chose The Best Pillows
Choosing where to rest your head for the next few years is a big decision. Heres how we narrowed down the best of the best:
- Reviews. You know a pillow is good when people are lining up to rave about it without getting anything free for doing it. We sifted through the piles of pillows and pages of reviews to find products that real customers genuinely love.
- Variety. Side sleeper? Back sleeper? Regular neck pain? Whether you need to accommodate that crick in your neck or breastfeed your bb, we have options that will take you through all walks of life, from day to night.
- Company rep. Is this company legit? We only feature companies that make it through our vetting process, which is designed to catch unsupported health claims, safety concerns, or shady business practices.
- Warranty and sleep trial. This is one sitch where trying before you buy is clutch. We prioritized products that let you sleep on your purchase , often for months before you commit. We also looked for products that offer warranties in case anything goes wrong.
- Height: 7, 10, or 12 inches
- Size: 24 x 24 in.
- Fill: memory foam
- Firmness: medium-firm
Back sleepers, rejoice: A pillow shaped like a wedge of cheese just might offer the restful slumber you need.
You get 30 days to try it at home, which is shorter than others out there but it also doesnt cost as much as competitors.
What Pillow Materials Are Best For Neck Pain
The best pillow for neck and shoulder pain is firm enough to hold your head at a healthy angle, but soft enough to alleviate pressure points. Most sleepers find success with either a memory foam, latex, buckwheat, or feather pillow, as these materials offer the best balance of support and pressure relief.
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