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Best pillow for shoulder pain
What is a pillow for shoulder pain?
Pillows designed to combat shoulder pain are contoured to support the neck. The shape of these pillows is designed to provide better support to the neck and shoulders and to help align the spine throughout the night.
Often these pillows have a ‘cervical’ structure. They have a raised ridge that supports the neck. At the same time, a concave center allows the head to lay flat.
They’re often filled with memory foam, shredded memory foam, or microfiber. They can provide the right level of firmness for the user to help alleviate pain and promote a good body posture during sleep.
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Our Number 1, and best rated, pillow for shoulder pain
Why we rate this the best pillow for shoulder pain
Designed specifically to cradle the neck, reducing pressure on the shoulders and alleviating neck pain.
Breathable, to help regulate body temperature. No need to turn it over to get the cool side.
The foam provides firm support, while also contouring to the curvature of your neck. It helps promote good health and proper alignment of the body.
Encased in organic cotton. This product isn’t just comfy, it’s environmentally friendly too.
The inner cover is hypoallergenic and dust mite-proof. You can be sure of a healthy and comfortable night.
It comes with a complimentary eye mask. The manufacturers have gone the extra mile to ensure you snooze in comfort.
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This is rated our best value for money pillow for shoulder pain
What you need to know
It has indents on either side of the headrest so that your arm won’t be trapped beneath the weight of your head.
Made of 60 density, high-quality memory foam so is medium firm. It’s a great compromise for people who want a good compromise between support and softness.
The downward slope keeps your neck elevated slightly, aligning your spine. It also prevents your head from rolling out of place in the night.
The case is skin-friendly, and can also be removed and is machine-washable. You’ll have no issues keeping it fresh and hygienic.
The CertiPur certification means you can rest easy in the knowledge that it doesn’t contain any hazardous materials.
The honeycomb texture of the case helps to regulate temperature during sleep. You won’t overheat in the night while using this neck pillow.
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The best of the rest
What you need to know
Available in two heights, one for back sleepers and one for side sleepers. No matter your preference, you’ll be able to support your head and reduce neck pain.
The central indent cradles the head and conforms to the user. It also stops it rolling out during sleep.
Constructed around a high-density foam core, the memory foam offers gentle support, while the inner foam stabilizes the cushion.
The removable, machine-washable cover makes it easy to keep clean and healthy.
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Ventilation holes reach to the core of the cushioning. The unique design will ensure your temperature is regulated while you sleep.
The ridges of the pillow offer neck support but are less restrictive than a cervical pillow.
The unique design of this product supports the neck while allowing the head to rest at a lower height. This keeps the neck and spine in alignment.
Suitable if you’re a back sleeper, side sleeper, or front sleeper, due to the open and unrestrictive design.
This product is infused with bamboo charcoal in order to offer extra pressure absorption.
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What you need to know
The design is a combination of an indented cervical pillow, and a more open, ridged pillow. Great for giving the stability of a cervical pillow, and the freedom of an open pillow.
Available in four different sizes. You can be sure of finding the perfect fit for supporting your neck and promoting the correct alignment of the body.
This product is designed not to lose its filling after many uses.
The outer cover is removable and washable. The inner cover is breathable for a perfect night’s sleep.
The pillow can be arranged in many ways depending on what position you like to sleep in. It can bring shoulder relief and alleviate back pain no matter your preferences.
The hollow center allows you to sink gently into the cushioning. This relieves pressure on the neck in a side-on sleeping position.
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The cover is made of a bamboo-polyester mix. It’s both hypoallergenic and ultra-soft.
The contoured shape makes it perfect if you sleep on your back. Turn it upside to make it ideal if you’re side sleepers.
Designed and tested by an experienced chiropractor to ensure the spine is aligned and helping with pain relief.
Available in three varying thicknesses. You can choose the right one for your needs.
The cover is also vented. This helps it to keep you cool throughout the night.
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Its unique ‘butterfly’ shape combines a number of possible pillow heights. Position how you want to best combat your neck pain and aid your health and comfort. It’s a great choice for side sleeping.
This pillow is built to be odorless, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic.
The pillow is highly breathable, meaning it will stay cool and fresh while you sleep.
The padded cover makes it extra luxurious to sleep on.
Designed to be compatible with a standard king-sized pillowcase.
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The case dissipates heat through the pillow. No more turning your pillow over to get the cool side.
Two different sizes are available. You won’t have to compromise on keeping your sleep posture correct.
The indent and hollowed center spread pressure throughout the pillow. This reduces pressure on the neck and helps with pain relief.
Made with 100% slow rebound memory foam. This pillow conforms perfectly to the back of the head and neck.
Sleep with peace of mind – this pillow comes with a 2-year guarantee and a 30 day no quibble return policy.
One of the best pillows for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers alike.
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A great compromise between the neck support of a cervical and the restrictive design of an open contour pillow.
This product has a medium-firm rating, making it perfect for anyone who wants softness without compromising on support.
The memory foam core is made to rebound slowly. The pillow won’t lose its shape when you move around during sleep, meaning you get support for your neck and shoulders if you’re used to sleeping on .
It comes with a carry case. It’s easy to take this pillow on holidays and trips away. It’s also handy for keeping it clean and safe while in storage.
The cases can easily be removed and washed. You’ll have no trouble keeping it fresh and hygienic.
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The wedge extension cradles the neck and helps to align the thoracic spine.
Less deep than some alternative support pillows, so it takes up less space on the mattress.
The lower indentations allow space for the arms to rest up near your face. This makes it a great choice for side sleepers.
The outer case is made of polyester and bamboo rayon. This makes it comfortable and easy to clean.
The foam core is breathable and resistant to mites and mold.
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The cooling gel layer distributes heat away from the body. You won’t overheat during sleep.
The stuffing is antibacterial, making for an especially hygienic sleeping experience.
The luxury bamboo case is super-soft. It’s also removable and easy to machine-wash.
The cut-out around the shoulder cradles the head and neck gently while providing comfortable support.
The memory foam absorbs pressure from the head’s weight and dissipates it through the pillow, minimizing the risk of exacerbating neck and shoulder pain and making it one of the best side sleeper pillow options.
The materials used are also hypoallergenic, so allergies shouldn’t be an issue with this product.
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It can be compressed for travel. This makes it easy to take with you on holiday or business trips to ensure a great night’s sleep.
The cover is 40% bamboo and 60% polyester. This makes it hypoallergenic, antibacterial, cooler, and more breathable than some cotton covers.
The dense filling takes the head’s weight and distributes the pressure through the pillow. This helps to reduce pressure on the neck and shoulders to minimize neck and shoulder pain.
The memory foam is also designed to keep its shape for longer. This makes it durable, ensuring you can sleep soundly again and again.
The cover can be removed and machine-washed. It’s very easy to keep this product clean and fresh without any issues.
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The high-density memory foam core is CertiPur certified. You can rest easy knowing it contains no toxic or harmful materials.
The shape of this product is a great compromise between a contoured pillow and a cervical pillow.
It comes with two pillowcases to alternate between. One has a cooling design, perfect for summer. The other is made of high thread count cotton, making it great for winter.
The shape of the pillow adapts to the shape of the cervical spine. This makes it great for providing shoulder support and giving you better sleep, particularly if you tend to sleep on your side.
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What you need to know
The contours of the pillow cradle the skull, reducing pressure on the neck and back. This makes it a good choice if you experience neck and shoulder pain.
It’s designed to stay firm and keep its shape all year round.
The pillowcase can be removed and washed with ease.
Position this pillow in different arrangements to make it perfectly suit your posture.
The build of this product makes it a comfortable option for side sleepers.
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Who would use a pillow for shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can become a more frequent problem as we grow older. It can arise from a variety of causes. Poor posture, tendinitis, and over-doing it in the gym can all contribute to shoulder pain.
It can be something we tend to ignore. However, shrugging it off can lead it to get worse and worse. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper or front sleeper is important when considering which best pillow is for you. You may have already tried memory foam pillows, but might find more success with one purpose-built for shoulder support.
Given that we spend so much time in our beds, the pillows we use can make a big difference to things like shoulder pain. The best pillow, designed to combat shoulder pain, can reduce strain on your neck and help joints and muscles in the neck and shoulders to repair.
If you’re someone who frequently experiences neck and shoulder pain, a body pillow like this could be a great choice for you. Equally, if you experience shoulder pain less frequently, this could help prevent aches and pains developing in the long term. It also helps that they’re super comfortable!
What features should you look for when buying a pillow for shoulder pain?
Shape
When considering what pillows are the best, it’s important to take a look at the shape of the product you’re buying. Pillows for shoulder pain come in two main shapes.
The cervical-shaped pillows have a ridge to support the neck. They also have a concave area in the center – this allows the neck to lie flat and helps with spinal alignment. These provide good support, but may not be ideal if you tend to roll around in the night.
If that’s the case, consider getting hold of a simple contoured pillow. These are similar to the cervical pillows, but without the central indent, allowing the head to move around more freely. Some others come in slightly different shapes, but they’re mostly variations on these two.
The best one for you will depend on the support you need and what will provide the most comfort. Also, consider your usual sleep position. A pillow that helps with alignment in someone who is used to side sleeping might not be ideal for a front sleeper.
Materials
The main thing materials will affect is the firmness, the best pillow will be different for everyone. Memory foam will be firmer, while microfibre and down will be softer.
Shredded memory foam, on the other hand, is usually medium-firm. Check the stuffing and the pillow’s firmness before you buy to make sure you get one that matches up with the support you need for your neck and shoulders. Some products also contain cooling gel, intended to help regulate the user’s temperature during the night.
The fabric used to cover these pillows is usually cotton or polyester. This won’t make a difference to many people, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you have allergies. Plus, some people might prefer the feel of one or the other. So what are the best pillows? It depends on your budget and your preferences.
Firmness
The firmness you need will depend on the support you require for your neck and shoulders, the best option will be different for each person.
Most pillows for shoulder pain are on the more supportive side. They tend to be either firm or medium-firm so that they can hold their firmness and offer support for the shoulders.
However, softer options are available. Usually, a pillow’s firmness will be specified. But if it isn’t, the stuffing used should give you an idea. A pillow filled with memory foam is going to be firmer, while one filled with microfibre will be softer. The right choice for you will depend on what you need for your health, comfort, and pain relief.
Finally, the price question.
What does a cheap pillow for shoulder pain cost?
The cost of one of these pillows is going to depend on a few factors. A key one is materials. For instance, pillows filled with memory foam tend to cost more. For a lower budget, you can pick up a cheaper one for around $20.
What does the best pillow for shoulder pain cost?
On the other hand, the most expensive pillows available tend to come in around the $80 mark. Check out some of the best pillows available below. Whether you’re a side sleeper, or you prefer sleeping on your front or back, there’s something to recommend for you.
A helpful video for you
Want to learn more? Well here is a useful video that provides you with more useful information when looking to make a purchase.
Meet the author
Ben Robinson
Ben is the husband of Jane Robinson, the owner of the site. Ben supports Jane with the review of products and the creation of the articles that you see across the site. As a part time writer, Ben also writes a travel blog where he recalls some of the travels he did after college.
