The Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain
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Do you have trouble falling asleep due to stiffness or pain in your shoulders? Or you wake up feeling sore and aching?
A good quality pillow for shoulder pain can do wonders for the quality of your sleep, as well as for longer-term pain relief.
Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain
We have selected the top pillows for shoulder pain for you – of all types, for all sleeping positions, and for all budgets.
Features to look for when buying a pillow for shoulder pain
Only people who haven’t suffered from pain, tension, or stiffness in the shoulders do not know how important a good pillow is for getting a good night’s sleep and for easing the pain.
Unfortunately, since we are all different, not every pillow works and helps in the same way for everyone.
If you are wondering how to choose the perfect pillow for shoulder pain for your needs, here are some of the features to look for and some tips to keep in mind:
The pillow shape
As you can see from our list, the pillows for shoulder pain come in an extensive variety of shapes and forms.
Typically, orthopedic pillows for pain in the upper back are either even in form or contoured.
The contoured ones typically have a lower and a high side so that you can find the best position for your neck.
You can also pick a wedge-shaped pillow which will elevate your entire upper back like a recliner.
Pick a pillow that has a shape suitable for your specific ailment or problem, as well as in accordance with your preferred sleeping position and your body type and weight.
The pillow loft
This is the thickness of the pillow when no weight is being put on it. The loft of the pillows for shoulder pain can be several types: low loft under 3 inches, medium loft from 3 to 5 inches, and high loft over 5 inches.
Most of the pillows we have picked can be adjusted in height and in firmness, so you can customize the loft according to your preferences.
Plus, the majority of the contoured ones have two different lofts on both sides.
Your preferred sleep position
You should always check the recommendations of the manufacturer for the suitable sleeping positions for their pillow. You should opt for one which suits your preferences if you want it to be effective and to help you relieve the shoulder pain and tension.
Side sleepers usually find medium or high loft pillows more comfortable so that the edge of the pillow can will the space between their heads and their shoulder.
Back sleepers often choose medium loft ones, in many cases of the softer type, which allows for the head to be cradled or sink deeper in the pillow. Sleeping on your back is the top-recommended position for dealing with shoulder pain, as it allows for the neck and upper body to remain perfectly aligned with the spine.
Stomach sleepers do best with low loft pillows because while they do tend to want a softer surface for their heads, they rarely like lifting their heads up to an unnatural position, unaligned with their spines, especially with shoulder and neck problems. For people with such issues, doctors recommend choosing one of the other possible sleeping positions, which are much more suitable for achieving a properly aligned and pain-free position.
The materials
The most popular materials used for orthopedic and chiropractic pillows include high-density memory foam, various types of latex, as well as natural buckwheat hull.
You should be careful when picking the material, if you are susceptible to allergies, as some of the materials are more prone to dust mites and other microorganisms than others.
Also, choose the material of the pillow cover in accordance with your preference for the softness, breathability, and hypoallergenic features it offers.
It is always a good idea to pick a pillow with a removable and machine-washable pillowcase.
Is it medically approved?
If you suffer from a diagnosed medical condition or an injury that requires special treatment and care, then it is recommended that you look for a pillow that has been designed by and approved by doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedists or other medical experts.
Some of the pillows for shoulder pain have been approved as medical devices.
It is essential that you choose such a pillow if your condition requires more serious care.
Final words
Hopefully, you have found the perfect pillow to help resolve your shoulder pain from our list. We wish you good luck with your purchase and hope that you enjoy relaxing and pain-free nights with your new pillow for shoulder pain.
Related reading: best cooling memory foam pillow and best mattress toppers for back pain.
