Pillow for Shoulder Pain: Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Use

Shoulder pain is a common issue that can be quite upsetting. While some pillows can make your shoulder ache, others can help you feel better. This article will explain what makes a pillow good for shoulder pain, explore the different types of pillows available, and discuss their benefits and potential drawbacks. We’ll also look at the latest research and guide you on how to choose the best shoulder pain product.

What is a pillow for shoulder pain?

If you often experience shoulder pain, sleeping on a regular pillow might make you toss and turn at night.

A pillow for shoulder pain is specially designed to support your head and neck while you sleep.

It doesn’t matter if you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. Your pillow should promote neutral alignment throughout your head and spine. And that's exactly what a pillow for shoulder pain can do for you.

It helps relieve pain and pressure in your shoulders and surrounding areas so you can have a more restful night’s sleep.

Types of pillows for shoulder pain

There’s a wide variety of pillows available for shoulder pain, both in local stores and online. They come in all sorts of shapes, materials, and qualities. Here’s an example of some types you might come across:

Latex pillow

Latex derives from rubber trees or synthetic materials. Latex is great at keeping its shape, and when you change positions, it quickly adapts and returns to its original form, ensuring ongoing support and relieving pressure on your shoulders.

Memory foam pillow

Memory foam is a synthetic material made from viscoelastic polyurethane. It molds to your body shape, giving that cushioning feel. This can help relieve pain in areas we put the most pressure on during sleep, such as the shoulders.

Buckwheat pillow

Buckwheat pillows are great if you like to rest your head on a firmer surface. They offer good support for the head and neck and let you adjust the loft by adding or removing hulls.

Down and down alternatives

Down pillows are filled with the soft inner feathers of ducks and geese. Unlike traditional pillows, a down pillow countors the body, alleviating pressure on the shoulders. Down alternatives are similar, synthetic materials, which are cheaper but not as supportive.

Feather pillow

These pillows are made with duck and goose outer feathers. They are typically soft but still offer good support.

Body pillow

A body pillow is a long, narrow pillow you can cuddle up while you sleep. This type of pillow is a great option for stomach or side sleepers as it helps promote proper spinal alignment.

U-shaped pillow

Curved pillows help keep the spine aligned, relieving shoulder pain. Some pillows have a notch at the bottom edge where you can rest your shoulders without sacrificing head and neck support.

Adjustable pillow

Some pillows have different compartments on which you can add or remove fill to customize the level of cushioning for specific areas such as the head, neck, and shoulders.

Reviewing the benefits of pillow for shoulder pain

If you’re having poor sleep and waking up tired with a stiff neck and shoulders, it could be due to an uncomfortable sleep posture. The spine has a natural curve that should be maintained during sleep. If your head and neck are not properly supported during sleep, your cervical spine can become misaligned, which can result in shoulder pain and stiffness. Pillows for shoulder pain provide firm support that keeps the head, neck, and shoulders properly aligned, which can help:

• Optimize your sleeping posture
• Facilitate good-quality rest
• Reduce strain and pressure on the shoulders

And if you value comfort, some pillows for shoulder pain have ergonomic designs that adapt to your body for a cozier sleep.

What are the downsides of using pillows for shoulder pain?

Although there’s limited information or reports of adverse events related to using pillows for shoulder pain, some materials used in their manufacturing have been associated with potential side effects. The most common are:

• Allergies. Pillows filled with materials like memory foam, latex, down, feathers, and buckwheat can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms can range from redness, itchy skin, and sneezing to something more serious, such as anaphylactic shock. Therefore, it's important to check the pillow's composition and consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
• Bad smell. Some synthetic latex and memory foam products contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which can give off a bad smell, especially when they are new. This off-gassing may cause some people to experience headaches, trouble breathing, nausea, and eye and throat irritation. The smell usually goes away within a few weeks, but if you are sensitive or have asthma or allergies, go for a low-VOC option.
• Heat discomfort. Materials like down and memory foam can retain heat, which might make the pillow less comfortable for people who sleep hot or in warmer climates.

The effectiveness of a pillow for shoulder pain: does it work?

Shoulder pain is a common concern affecting around 16% of individuals. Sometimes, shoulder pain may require painkillers, physical therapy, surgery, or other forms of treatment.

But day-to-day pain can often be alleviated with simple measures like switching your pillow, for example.

People with shoulder pain have resorted to specially designed pillows, which provide adequate support for the head and neck while maintaining the spine aligned during sleep. These pillows help relieve pressure and reduce shoulder pain.

While there is limited information on whether these pillows actually work, studies suggest they may help preserve the natural curvature of the cervical spine, potentially reducing pain and improving sleep quality.

Alternatives of pillow for shoulder pain

If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, investing in a high-quality pillow can make a huge difference in how you feel.

You can also try natural remedies to ease the pain, such as massage, heat therapy, cold compresses, and shoulder exercises and stretches.

Changing your sleeping position might also help ease shoulder pain, as side sleeping has been linked to shoulder discomfort in some people.

Some individuals find relief from mild shoulder pain with over-the-counter medications like aspirin or ibuprofen. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) don’t require a prescription and can help reduce pain and inflammation.

How to choose the best pillow for shoulder pain

If you are looking for a pillow for shoulder pain, these criteria can help you find the most suitable product.

• Design. Look for designs that could support proper spine alignment. Choosing a pillow based on your sleeping position can help reduce pressure on your shoulders.
• Material. Different materials can impact how supportive a pillow is. It is also important to consider any allergies or sensitivities you may have before purchasing your new pillow.
• Preferences. It is important to pick a pillow that you find comfortable — including choosing the suitable firmness level, pillow height, and material.
• Adjustability. An adjustable pillow can be a great option as it allows you to change the loft and firmness level to match your comfort needs.

📝Healthnews editor's top picks

We have also conducted an in-depth review of the best pillow for shoulder pain. Below is a summarized shortlist.

1. Derila — best pillow for snorers with shoulder pain

• Removable cover
• Molds to your shape
• Great for all types of sleepers
• More affordable than its competitors

Try Derila now

What we liked about Derila is its use of memory foam that adapts to the contours of your head and neck, potentially aiding in spine alignment. For extra comfort, it also features butterfly support wings, making it suitable for back, side, and stomach sleepers, as well as a cooling outer layer for temperature regulation.

2. MedCline — best pillow for rotator cuff pain

• Washable cases
• Can be used for left or right-side sleeping
• Made with hypoallergenic, high-quality materials
• Certi-PUR® certified foam

Try MedCline now

Our team also picked MedCline because of its specialized design tailored to relieve shoulder pain. Designed for side sleepers, it has an arm pocket that reduces shoulder pressure while your other arm rests comfortably on the body pillow, keeping your arm in a neutral position.

3. Eli & Elm — best pillow for shoulder and neck pain

• Custom firmness
• Removable cover
• OEKO-TEX® certified
• Breathable cotton cover

Try Eli & Elm now

This pillow’s U-shaped design offers exceptional support for side sleepers, helping to maintain proper spinal alignment and ease shoulder and neck pain. We also like that Eli & Elm is crafted with removable latex and polyester filling, making the firmness adjustable to your preference.

4. Sweet ZZZ — best vegan-friendly pillow for shoulder pain

• OEKO-TEX® certified
• Safe for people with sensitive skin
• Cotton cover
• 50-day return policy

Try Sweet ZZZ now

Our team chose the Sweet ZZZ Plant-Based Pillow for its blend of comfort and eco-friendliness. Made from 100% vegan, feather-free down fill and covered in 100% natural cotton, this pillow is both sustainable and gentle on sensitive skin.

Diving into the latest research on pillows for shoulder pain

Only a few studies have looked at the effects of ergonomic pillows on shoulder pain, as most have focused on neck pain and other sleep-related parameters.

A systematic review found that certain pillow parameters, such as latex material, contoured design, and a 7–11-centimeter height of the unloaded central part of the pillow, are linked to better spinal alignment and sleep quality.

In a 2020 study, 332 participants completed a questionnaire about their sleeping habits, sleep problems, and pillow preferences. Those who used functional pillows, designed with extra support for the head and neck, reported greater support in the shoulder compared to users of other pillow types.

Participants using U-shaped pillows found them most comfortable for their shoulders. Additionally, side sleepers experienced less shoulder pain when using functional pillows.

Regarding filling materials, the study found that pillows filled with plastic capsules, memory foam, and latex caused less neck fatigue than those filled with cotton and feathers.

Since proper neck support is needed to keep your spine aligned, a pillow made of these materials could also help with shoulder pain.

Another study, published in 2019, looked at 30 elderly patients in a senior care hospital who used buckwheat and latex pillows for two weeks each, with a week break between trying each pillow. The study showed that buckwheat pillows reduced neck and shoulder pain. Latex pillows also reduced neck pain but had no significant effect on shoulder pain. Therefore, buckwheat was considered a better option for decreasing shoulder pain in these patients.