How to choose the Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain Relief and 5 pillow recommendations

Best for Effective Contouring — Dreamcloud Contour Pillow

If you have chronic shoulder pain, you might need a pillow that would be able to relieve it on a daily basis. And this model by Dreamcloud can do just that. Its contoured design prevents strains in your neck and shoulder and supports natural spine alignment in any position.

The 7-inch loft feels right for most back and side sleepers. However, you can adjust the pillow by removing or adding one or several memory foam inserts.

The cradling effect makes the Dreamcloud one of the best pillows for shoulder pain. It’s possible thanks to the soft and responsive memory foam that instantly molds to your body and quickly adjusts as you’re shifting between positions. The foam is pretty dense, too, so you can expect a long lifespan.

Finally, the pillow is easy to maintain. To refresh it, you should simply take away the cover and wash it on a gentle cycle, then dry on the lowest setting. The cover feels soft to the touch and seems pretty well-made, so it can withstand years of active use.

Overall, the Dreamcloud would be perfect for mixed side and back sleepers who may have stiff shoulders. It can instantly relieve the stiffness and promote deep relaxation and faster doze-off.

Best for Ergonomic Design – Level Sleep Restore Pillow

Does Your Sleep Position Affect Shoulder Pain?

The way you sleep can either give you the best shut-eye in your life or turn you into an aching and grumpy human being. When it comes to choosing a good pillow for shoulder pain relief, your sleeping position should be the first thing to consider.

So, let me briefly explain to you how each sleeping position affects your shoulders:

• Back sleeping. This sleeping position is considered the healthiest for your spine, as it helps maintain proper alignment and relax all the muscles. Speaking of shoulder pain, sleeping in the supine position on a slightly elevated surface — say, by using a wedge-shaped pillow — may decrease the pressure on the scapulae and reduce shoulder pain, even if they are caused by arthritis or another chronic condition. The optimal firmness level for back sleepers with shoulder pain is medium.
• Side sleeping. There’s a hypothesis that the lateral sleeping position is the most detrimental to your shoulders. When you sleep on your side, you literally put your body weight on the shoulder. And if you’re a large sleeper — or, if your mattress is on the firmer side — your shoulder will have to withstand even more pressure. The good news is, if you choose a thick and firm pillow, the impact of the body weight on your shoulder belt will decrease, helping you sleep comfortably. Note that the width of your shoulder’s matters — your pillow should fill the space between your head and the mattress surface completely.
• Stomach sleeping. This position has a highly negative impact on your lower back and neck. Since overstrained neck muscles and pinched nerves in the cervical spine may indirectly affect shoulders, it’s better to avoid stomach sleeping at all. If you can’t do so, at least use a thin and moldable pillow to ensure that your neck won’t be awkwardly curved.

Mixed sleepers can monitor what sleeping positions they choose more often and choose the pillow based on that.

Best and Worst Types of Pillows for Shoulder Pain Reviewed

Most of the manufacturers today update their pillow line-up from time to time, which can turn the process of finding the best pillow for shoulder pain into a daunting task.

I’ve got a pro tip for you.

Start with defining the materials!

That’s what never changes. Here are the most common materials used in pillows, listed starting from the one that works for shoulder pain most effectively:

• Solid latex. A solid chunk of latex may offer the right amount of comfort and support for your head and neck, and it’s actually claimed the best pillow for neck and scapular pain relief, according to a recent study.
• Solid memory foam. Solid memory foam is cradling and comfortable. Such pillows are particularly great for those sleeping on the side. Although most of them have a fixed height, some models come with removable inserts, which allows you to adjust the loft for your comfort.
• Memory foam shreds. Standard viscoelastic or gel-infused shredded foam is the most popular filling for pillows. There are several reasons for that: this material has all the advantages of the standard memory foam, such as pressure relief and moldability, but it won’t disappoint you with poor thermoregulation. Also, shredded memory foam is fluffier and can adjust to your head shape better than the solid foam chunk.
• Latex shreds. Very similar to the previous material, latex shreds can be made either from natural latex or latex blends. The latter is not so different from the standard memory foam and has roughly the same features and downsides. Natural latex shreds, on the other hand, can offer you much cooler sleep, as well as better durability and moldability, which could be a plus for individuals with chronic shoulder pain or those who are prone to hot sleeping.
• Buckwheat hulls. Odorless, hypoallergenic, and breathable, buckwheat hulls can mold to your head and neck and give you great pain relief. It may take time to get used to their specific feel, as the hulls may seem a bit too rigid at first. Not everyone likes this.
• Natural down and fiberfill down alternatives. Natural and synthetic down pillows are incredibly lightweight and fluffy. They create a soft cocoon around your head and neck, adapting to your body temperature so that you wouldn’t sleep hot. However, studies found that feather and down pillows might be the least effective for users with shoulder and neck pain because they’re too soft and moldable and may not provide the needed support.

Bottom line?

I’d recommend you go for shredded memory foam or latex. You will be able to easily fluff such a pillow and adjust it to get the comfort and shoulder pain relief you want.

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Suitable Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Finally, let’s add some final touches to the idea of your perfect pillow, which you have probably formed in your mind by now. 

Here are a few more things you should consider tailoring your choice to your sleeping needs:

• Adjustable loft. Pillows with the regulated height and firmness level are the best, in my opinion. You can adjust them to any sleeping preferences in minutes, which lowers the chances of waking up with shoulder pain. 
• Gusset. A gusset is a piece of fabric around the perimeter that allows you to make the pillow higher. This may result in better pain relief for side sleepers who are more prone to experiencing shoulder pain. Pillows with a gusset can also distribute your head’s weight better. Aside from that, they often come with an adjustable height. You may want to choose models with mesh gussets for additional air circulation during sleep.
• Firmness. Now, I have mentioned how your sleep position could be connected with your pillow’s firmness level earlier. But let’s sum it up. Side sleepers typically need a firmer pillow that won’t give in under their head’s weight, causing misalignment. Stomach sleepers benefit the most from a thin, soft pillow that won’t create awkward curves in their neck, thus straining shoulder muscles. Back sleepers are recommended to use medium firmness to keep their shoulders relaxed.
• Thermoregulation. Low temperatures make sleep more restorative, which can help you heal faster and reduce shoulder pain, especially if it was caused by an injury. Give your preference to natural materials or choose gel-infused synthetic foams that have a better cooling effect than non-infused ones.

FAQ

Conclusion

A properly chosen pillow may help you significantly reduce or completely alleviate shoulder pain and bring back painless sleep into your life.

To make the most of your purchase, make sure to choose a pillow made of latex or memory foam, preferably with solid filling, or the one with an adjustable loft. Cooling gel infusions and a breathable cover will also improve your sleeping experience.

As for me, I already know what pillow I would love to use every single night – the Comfort Classic Pillow by Amerisleep. This model feels super adaptive and does a great job of relieving tension, which is crucial for effective pain alleviation. Plus, it uses plant-based foam, which is safer than traditional memory foam (and much more breathable). And I have a feeling the Comfort Classic Pillow would work for a wide range of sleepers thanks to its adaptive feel.

How about you? Have you picked your personal favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below!