Shoulder Pillow Is A System To Relieve Shoulder Pain While Sleeping
Using a unique design specifically for shoulder problems, the shoulder pillow is three pillows in one. There is a gradual incline piece that raises to a level where the shoulder is not under any compressive pressure, combined with a special shaped pillow for comfort.
Functional pillows can relieve shoulder pain while sleeping with shoulder cutouts, however, the shoulder still rests on the surface. This system for shoulder relief eliminates compression while elevating just enough to remove this pressure. The shoulder fits in a special recess specifically designed to accommodate the shoulder and maintain comfort while side sleeping.
The arm pocket at the top is symmetrical for sleeping on the right or left side. There is an adjustable small insert pillow within the arm pocket that is filled with shredded memory foam adjustability and comfort. The flexible nature of the design allows precise placement of the shoulder to find the most comfortable arm position.
There is a full length body pillow that supports the legs and back in a pressure relieving and ergonomically sound posture filled with shredded memory foam. It employs medical grade materials for superior quality, support and durability. The support wedge is constructed with 4 types of medical grade foam, strategically layered and placed to obtain maximum support and comfort. The top layer is memory foam.
The shoulder relief pillow is a system that comes with a washable 80/20 Cotton/Poly pillow case.
Can be helpful for:
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.
Best Pillow For Stomach Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros: The low loft is great for stomach sleepers, easy-to-clean cover, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not recommended for side or back sleepers, short trial, you can’t adjust the loft
At 2.5 inches, the Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow offers the lowest loft of the pillows we tested, making it ideal for stomach sleepers. While you can’t adjust the loft, the gel memory foam is pliable enough to fold in half to get extra lift if you occasionally shift to your side.
Insider Reviews senior reporter Owen Burke suffers from neck pain and has tested several thin pillows designed for stomach sleepers but was never impressed by them. At times, he’d even give up and rest his head on his shoulder without a pillow.
Right away, Burke appreciated the Belly Sleeper’s ability to gently adapt to the curvature of his head and neck. He also found the machine-washable cover was particularly soothing under his usual pillowcase. “Overall, I’m sleeping far better, longer, and much more comfortably than any other time in recent memory,” he said.
I also tested the Belly Sleep pillow. I found it comfortable enough when falling asleep on my stomach, but when I wanted to shift to my preferred side-sleeping position, it did not provide enough loft. When I folded the pillow, it just felt too awkward. You may want to choose a different pillow if you don’t primarily sleep on your stomach.
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What Pillows Will Reduce Neck Pain
Both of the physical therapists I talked to, Karena Wu, PT, DPT, owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and Mumbai, and Colleen Louw, PT, a therapeutic pain specialist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, recommended cervical neck pillows.
These pillows take a variety of forms, but Wu and Louw recommended pillows that have a lower loft in the middle and larger bumps along each length. The Tempur-Pedic Neck was the only pillow of this style that I tested, and I found it didn’t fit the curvature of my neck right. Wu mentioned having a similar problem. “I had the Tempur-Pedic pillow, and it was too small for me,” she said.
For future updates to this guide, we hope to test more cervical pillows to find one we can recommend.
Wu and Louw also liked the MyPillow because you can adjust it to fit the contours of your head and neck region. However, in our testing, we found there were better options that are more easily moldable and adjustable.
The bottom line is you need to find a pillow no matter the style that fits the contours of your head, neck, and shoulders to provide comfortable support throughout the night. This is why adjustability and a good return policy are important.
How We Choose Products
Medical News Today chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria where possible:
- Certifications:MNT will choose products that feature CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that these products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill:MNT selects products comprising different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
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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.
Buckwheat Alternative Wool Puffs
The Sleep & Beyond Dual Side Pillow is filled with the highly adjustable pearl-sized puffs of soft and springy 100% natural Shropshire wool, encased in 100% natural cotton sateen cover.
This 100% natural side sleeper pillow is fully adjustable to any loft youd like and is ergonomically contoured to align the spine while you sleep.
Get Your Free PDF The Complete Guide to Low Back Pain Relief at Home!
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How Common Is Side
Research shows that a whopping 74 percent of Americans prefer to slumber on their sides, making it the most common sleep position in the country. .
As comfortable as side-sleeping can be, however, it can also cause issues in the neck and shoulder departments. Thats why having one of the best pillows for side-sleepers is a necessity, if youre among the vast majority of people who sleep on their sides.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros: Comfortable for all sleep positions, especially side sleeping precise adjustability machine-washable cover
Cons: Relatively short trial period, removing fill can get messy
Only two pillows we tested were deemed comfortable by multiple neck pain sufferers in our tests: our top pick and the Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow. The Eli & Elm pillow is unique because its U shape helps keep your shoulder and neck in a supported position. It’s filled with polyester and latex that you can remove to get a custom loft and feel. We recommend only removing a little at a time to avoid making a mess.
The Eli & Elm pillow fits into a standard pillowcase despite the shape. If you’re interested in a more precise fit, you can purchase the pillow with a case. I tried the pillow with the Eli & Elm pillowcase and a standard pillowcase and didn’t notice a difference in comfort.
My first night on the Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper, I slept better than I’d slept in months. I found the loft was just right for my side sleeping, so I didn’t remove any. While testing the pillow, I didn’t experience any neck pain.
After a week, my wife took the Eli & Elm pillow and refused to give it back. She mainly sleeps on her back with a bit of side sleeping. The U shape kept her from unconsciously shifting to a position that didn’t keep her spine aligned.
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Can Sleeping On My Side Cause Shoulder Pain
No Need To Shoulder The Pain
If you want to find the perfect pillow to help you relieve your shoulder pain, it’s important to know exactly what your expectations are. Are you only suffering from shoulder pain, or do you want to keep your neck, head and upper back comfortable as well? Do you mostly sleep on your side, back or stomach? Do you want to be able to take your pillow with you when you travel? Whatever your demands, we believe these pillows are some of the best around.
What would your ideal pillow be like? Let us know in the comments below, or find us on and !
- Orthopedic pillow for neck and shoulder pain
- Designed as a spinal alignment and sleep comfort pillow
- Can be used as a pillow for side sleeping
- Non allergenic and non toxic materials for safe sleep
- Orthopaedic pillow recommended for neck pain and support
- Supports the neck to reduce shoulder, upper back and neck pain
- Comfortable pillow for back, side and stomach sleepers
- Available in five different sizes to suit your precise requirements
- Contoured pillow with ergonomic shape for neck support
- Corrects spinal alignment for more comfortable sleeping
- Reduces pressure on neck, shoulders, and ears
- Ideal for both side sleepers and back sleepers
- Helps relieve postural neck and shoulder pain
- Includes washable poly-cotton cover
- To be placed inside an existing pillowcase
- Can improve sleep quality and spine health
- Ability to sleep on side or back
- Relief for shoulder, neck and back pain
- Supports the natural curve of the upper spine.
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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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How To Choose A Pillow As A Side Sleeper
To best keep your head, neck, and back in neutral alignment, look for a medium-firm to extra-firm pillow that keeps your head around 3 to 4 inches above the mattress. Pillows that have wide side gussets are better at maintaining this height over time.
You may also want to look for a pillow that wont go flat over time.
If youre looking to avoid certain chemicals, like volatile organic compounds , look for brands whose pillows use CertiPUR-US or Greenguard Gold certified materials to narrow down your options.
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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 arent 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.
Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow
Price: $
Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Side sleepers may benefit from sleeping with an extra pillow between their knees. This can help better align the spine.
This adjustable knee pillow is ergonomically shaped for comfort. Its designed to help side sleepers create more space between the legs. More space helps reduce hip pressure and maintain proper spinal alignment.
The pillow cover is made from polyester and bamboo-derived rayon and can be hand-washed. The fill is all CertiPUR-US certified polyurethane memory foam. Its hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.
This pillow comes with a removable foam insert, so you can control the pillows thickness and density. You cant wash the fill or the insert.
The manufacturer provides a 100-night sleep trial and return window if the pillow doesnt work for you, as well as a 5-year limited warranty.
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How Can You Prevent Shoulder Pain From Sleeping On Your Side
There are several ways to minimizing the time you sleep on your painful shoulder.
How We Chose The Best Pillows For Neck Pain
To choose the best pillows for neck pain, we did a deep-dive into dozens of the top brands on the market and rounded up their top-selling pillow models. Next, we narrowed down the field using factors like customer reviews, comfort ratings and overall value. We also spoke with a physical therapist, who confirmed the qualities we should be looking for in the best pillows for neck pain. Finally, several of our staffers shared their own personal experiences and favorite purchases, helping us to further narrow the field of top contenders.
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Best Pillows For Shoulder Pain 2022
Eugene
A good night’s sleep is something most of us take for granted, and it’s only when we have to deal with the lack of it that we realise what an important role it plays in our lives. If you often wake up during the night due to shoulder pain, it’s more likely than not that you’re using the wrong pillow for your sleep style, causing a misalignment of your neck, spine and shoulders.
This image shows how the correct pillow can align your shoulders and spine while sleeping
While shoulder pain while sleeping is most common among side-sleepers, as the image above suggests, it can result from any sleep style that doesn’t align your spine. To optimise your comfort at night, orthopaedic pillows are usually the best option, but it can be difficult to decide between the vast array that are available. To help you along, we’ve had our product experts select five of our best pillows to get rid of shoulder pain.
Neck Pain Pillow Glossary
CertiPUR-US certified: This is a standard for polyurethane foams, including memory foam. Pillows that are CertiPUR-US certified are made without heavy metals, flame retardants, ozone depleters, phthalates, and formaldehyde. They also have low VOC emissions.
Hypoallergenic: Pillows that are less likely to cause allergic reactions are called “hypoallergenic.” In general, hypoallergenic pillows are made of synthetic materials, like foam or polyester. Bedding filled with down or other animal products is more likely to cause an allergic reaction. Currently, there is no certification process that a manufacturer must go through in order to call its pillows hypoallergenic.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pillows For Shoulder Pain
Can the wrong pillow make shoulder pain worse?
Absolutely. If a pillow does not provide enough support for the head and neck, then youre more likely to feel new or worsening shoulder pain. A less durable pillow that flattens or loses shape over time can mean more pain, as well. The best pillow for shoulder pain should properly support the head and neck, promote spinal alignment, and stabilize the affected shoulder.
What is the most important consideration when choosing a pillow for shoulder pain?
The most important factors when choosing a pillow for shoulder pain include loft , firmness, shape, and fill material. Since everyone has different pillow preferences, we suggest trying different models to see which ones alleviate pain. As youre starting out, consider pillows that offer sleep trials with free or mostly free returns. Youll be able to test out these models without financially committing to them at first.
What is the worst pillow type for shoulder pain? Down, down alternative, and feather pillows are generally considered the worst pillows for shoulder pain because they provide the least support and tend to flatten during the night.
Can a mattress topper help with shoulder pain?
