Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain (Top 5 Brands)

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At times we are compensated for the links you click at no cost to you. Learn more about why you should trust our reviews and view our disclosure page.

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We’ve all been there – laid our heads to rest and woke up with the most excruciating shoulder pain which more often than not is also accompanied by neck pain. If you’re fairly certain you didn’t sleep on concrete, your pillow may just be the culprit. Time to chuck it out and choose a pillow from our best pillow for shoulder pain list. Our Editor’s Choice is the Saatva Latex pillow.

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Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain Top Picks

1. Saatva Latex Pillow – editor’s choice
2. Nolah Squishy Pillow – best cooling pillow
3. Medcline Shoulder Relief System – best therapeutic body pillow
4. Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow – best for all sleeper types
5. Layla Kapok Pillow – best for heavier individuals

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#1. Saatva Latex Pillow

Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice

Pros

• Cooling
• Responsive head and neck support
• Helps relieve shoulder pain

Cons

• Pretty pricey
• Can be a little too soft for some sleep positions

Our experience with Saatva Latex Pillow

Well regarded for their hotel quality mattresses and bed frames, Saatva also offers premium quality pillows and their Latex pillow is the most premium of them all. This is why you will find that the Saatva Latex pillow tops most of the best pillow lists of today.

But the Saatva Latex pillow is not just made from latex, it also features a a down-like microdenier fiber which gives the pillow a unique down-like pillow feel that’s also very responsive – thanks to its shredded latex inner core.

Comfort

We found the Saatva Latex pillow to be mid-plush when it comes to firmness, which can help ease neck and shoulder pain. Side sleepers, in particular, would appreciate the Latex pillow’s responsive plushiness since it won’t dig into their shoulders. It also has a medium loft. However, those who sleep strictly on their backs and those who have a bigger head (yes, this is a thing) might find the Saatva Latex pillow to be a little too soft to give them the elevated support that they would need in order to achieve proper spinal alignment.

You know how some mattresses can make you sleep hot? The same goes for certain types of pillows, especially ones made from traditional memory foam but latex is naturally cooling. This makes the Saatva Latex pillow a great choice for hot sleepers. Not only is it a cooling pillow but it is also good for those who suffer from seasonal allergies because latex is also naturally hypoallergenic.

Construction

The pillow cover of the Saatva Latex pillow is made from Fair Trade certified cotton. The breathable cotton cover is also moisture-wicking which is excellent for those who experience night sweats. The pillow cover is also removable and machine-washable.

Unlike most traditional pillows, the Saatva Latex pillow is actually made up of 2 layers. The pillow itself is filled with organic cotton and the afore-mentioned down-like microdenier fiber which gives it that plush, down pillow-like feel. The second layer is the inner core which is made up of shredded natural latex that can help offer the ultimate head and neck support.

Sizes

• Queen
• King

Warranty

Saatva does not offer a sleep trial for their pillows but they do offer a 45-day money back guarantee on returns for their Latex pillow. It also comes backed by a 1 year limited warranty. Saatva pillows also come with free shipping within the United States.

Buy: Saatva Latex Pillow

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#2. Nolah Squishy Pillow

Check Current Price | Best Cooling Pillow

Pros

• Active cooling
• Customizable loft and firmness
• Good for all sleeper types, especially back and side sleepers
• Helps reduce shoulder pain

Cons

• Not suitable for those who want a more responsive pillow
• Slight off gassing
• Comes in only one size

Our experience with Nolah Squishy Pillow

Sleeping position plays a big part when it comes to neck and shoulder pain and a pillow like Nolah’s Squishy pillow that’s suitable for all types of sleeping positions is one way to help avoid shoulder pain.

Dn’t be fooled by the name – yes, it’s squishy but it’s far from being flat making it an excellent choice for even the staunchest of back and stomach sleepers. Made from Nolah’s own active cooling proprietary shredded foam and featuring a breathable cover made from organic bamboo, it’s great for hot sleepers as well.

Comfort

When you first receive the Nolah Squishy pillow, don’t be surprised when it comes overstuffed which can give it a very high loft. You can adjust both the firmness and loft simply by adding or removing the shredded foam infill. Pretty convenient, huh?

An adjustable pillow like the Nolah Squishy pillow helps those who suffer from chronic shoulder pain adjust the loft and firmness level should they need to switch to a more comfortable sleeping position.

Although Nolah does not outright say that the foam they used in their squishy pillow is memory foam, to us it has that same body contouring memory foam feel that’s perfect for pain relief. However, this may pose a problem for those who prefer a more responsive pillow.

Construction

Differing slightly from the standard sheet foam that most pillows come in, the Nolah Squishy pillow is filled with cube cut shredded foam. Aside from being easier to adjust, shredded foam is also more breathable than one solid slab of foam and allows for more air to flow through, helping you sleep cool and dry.

The Nolah Squishy pillow’s cover is made from a breathable bamboo blend that also helps with cooling. The pillow cover is removable and machine-washable for easier cleaning.

We did experience a tiny bit of off-gassing when we first got the pillow but this is normal especially when it comes to polyfoam. Airing out the pillow for a few hours in a well-ventilated room usually helps do away with the smell.

Sizes

• Queen

Warranty

Nolah does not offer a sleep trial for their pillows and bedding but the Nolah Squishy pillow comes backed by a 2 year warranty.

Buy: Nolah Squishy Pillow

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#3. Medcline Shoulder Relief System

Check Current Price | Best Therapeutic Body Pillow

Pros

• Great for those who suffer from chronic shoulder pain and those recovering from injury or surgery
• Offers flexible arm positions
• Recommended for those who have rotator cuff injuries
• Three component sleep system

Cons

• Strictly not recommended for those who suffer from back or lumbar issues
• Expensive
• Takes up a lot of space
• Only for side sleeping

Our experience with Medcline Shoulder Relief System

If you think a body pillow’s purpose is mostly for cuddling, think again. Body pillows like the Shoulder Relief system from Medcline are specifically designed to help ease shoulder pain while offering support for both the head and neck. Not a lot of brands offer pillows for shoulder pain specifically and the Medcline system comes highly recommended by orthopedics and sleep specialists.

Your sleeping posture affects how comfortably you can rest if you suffer from shoulder pain, whether chronic or temporary. Most experts recommended the side sleeping posture to help alleviate shoulder pain. The Medcline sleep system is a side sleeper pillow that provides exactly that.

Comfort

The Medcline pillow isn’t a traditional body pillow – it features an ergonomic shape that completely keeps any pressure off your arm when you sleep on your side. How, you might ask?

Well, the shoulder positioning wedge has a patented arm pocket on either side, just enough for your arm to fit through. And if that sounds like it would be uncomfortable let me stop you right there – it’s one of the most comfortable pillows we’ve ever tried.

There’s no pressure whatsoever on your upper arm bone, downside arm, hands, wrists or shoulders. This makes it perfect for those who have sustained injuries on their arm and especially those who have undergone surgery.

You essentially get three pillows in one and each one is designed to work perfectly with the other: you get the shoulder positioning wedge pillow with the patented arm holes that we’ve mentioned previously, an insert pillow that acts as a supportive pillow and a therapeutic body pillow that helps alleviate pressure relief.

Made from 4 types of cooling-gel infused memory foam, the Medcline pillow is also a good option for those who tend to sleep hot. As for firmness, the therapeutic body pillow comes with adjustable stuffing, so you can take out or add on to get the loft and firmness that you need.

Bear in mind though that the Medcline pillow will only allow you to sleep on your side and this may take some getting used to for strict back and stomach sleepers.

Construction

Each component of the 3 part system of the Medcline pillow is made from cooling-gel infused foam that’s CertiPUR-US certified. This means it’s free from toxins and other harmful chemicals. The cooling gel foam also helps do away with heat retention. Not only that but every component of the Medcline Shoulder Relief system is made from medical grade materials.

With all three components in place, you get a 10 degree elevation which is the perfect height to keep pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to rest comfortably despite any shoulder pain. The body pillow was also pliable but supportive enough to keep our shoulder blades in such as position that helps relieve pressure.

The Medcline pillow system comes with pre-installed covers that are removable and machine-washable. We experienced a tiny bit of off-gassing with the Medcline Sleep system but this dissipated within 72 hours.

One thing of note though is that because of the pillow’s design, it takes up around 1/2 of a Queen size bed so if you share a bed with partner, this might be an issue.

Sizes

The Medcline Sleep system comes in two sizes and a drop-down menu on their website helps you decide which size to choose based on your height, which we think is a nice touch.

• Small/Medium
• Large

Warranty

Medcline does not offer any sleep trial for their sleep system but it comes backed by a 1 year limited warranty. They also have a return policy of 30 days.

Buy: Medcline Shoulder Relief System

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#4. Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

Check Current Price | Best for All Sleeper Types

Pros

• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Cooling
• Contouring
• Comes with sleep trial
• Greenguard Gold certified

Cons

• Can be a little pricey for some
• Not suitable for those who prefer a more responsive pillow

Our experience with Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

If you want a pillow without all the bells and whistles (read: traditional) that still packs a punch then the Tuft & Needle Original foam pillow might just be the right one for you.

Yes, it might be your traditional foam slab type of pillow but the similarity to a standard pillow ends there. Made from Tuft & Needle’s own proprietary Adaptive foam – a memory foam alternative that’s infused with graphite and cooling gel – the Original Foam pillow contours to the curves of your head and shoulders, helping both alleviate pressure and shoulder pain.

Comfort

Imagine laying your head on a molded memory foam pillow that’s seems as though it was made just for you – that’s how the Tuft & Needle Original Foam pillow feels like. And although it’s not made from shredded memory foam but one entire slab, we found the Original Foam pillow to be both cooling and temperature regulating, thanks to the blend of graphite and cooling gel. This makes the Tuft & Needle Original foam pillow a good option for hot sleepers.

When it comes to pain and pressure relief, the pillow contours to the curves of your neck and shoulders, no matter what position you sleep in, making it suitable for all sleeping positions, including those who are strict side sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain.

Construction

The Tuft & Needle Original pillow is made from the same foam that’s found in all of Tuft & Needle’s mattresses, the Adaptive foam. Trademarked by Tuft & Needle, the Adaptive foam is a memory foam alternative that provides the same contouring and pressure relief as traditional memory foam but without the dreaded heat retention. This is because it is infused with both graphite and cooling gel, both excellent at keeping heat off the pillow.

The Adaptive foam is also certified by both CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold, ensuring the safety and quality of the Tuft & Needle Original Foam pillow. We did not experience any instances of off-gassing with the Tuft & Needle pillow.

The pillow cover is made up of Micro Polyamide and polyester and it is removable and machine-washable but the foam insert is not washable.

Sizes

• Standard
• King

Warranty

Tuft & Needle offers a 100 night sleep trial for their Original Foam pillow as well as free shipping and returns. The pillow also comes with a 3 year warranty.

Buy: Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

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#5. Layla Kapok Pillow

Check Current Price | Best for Heavier Individuals

Pros

• Adjustable loft
• Cooling
• Great for heavier individuals

Cons

• Slight off-gassing
• May be too firm for more petite individuals

Our experience with Layla Kapok Pillow

Body weight does come into play even when it comes to pillows and especially if you suffer from any shoulder pain. Heavier individuals need a higher loft pillow to get both support and pressure relief. The Layla Kapok pillow features a very high loft but what’s more, it’s also adjustable, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Comfort

Kapok has long been used in Asia as an alternative to foam and cotton fill for both bedding and upholstery. Light and airy, laying on a kapok fiber-filled pillow feels like sleeping on a soft, fluffy cloud. Firm enough to be supportive for even those of heavier than average body types yet plush enough to offer pressure relief while also helping alleviate pain.

When it comes to sleeping positions, the Layla Kapok pillow is suitable for all types of sleepers, from back sleepers to stomach sleepers. Those who prefer stomach sleeping actually need a pillow with a lower loft but because you can adjust the Layla pillow’s loft, you won’t need to worry.

While the Layla Kapok pillow is suitable for a wide range of body types, those who are lighter than average may find it to be a little too firm. A firm pillow may exacerbate shoulder pain so if you belong in that weight bracket, you might want to find something softer.

We noticed that the Layla pillow kept its shape even when we took out most of its fill to adjust its loft. This means the pillow is well-made and will last for a very long time with proper use.

Construction

Encased in the same hexagonal design, breathable cover as Layla’s line of mattresses, the Layla Kapok pillow is also cooling and this is due to the fact that kapok is airy and its fibers help wick away moisture. The Layla pillow also contains premium shredded memory foam that’s open-celled which means it won’t retain any heat.

Memory foam pillows like the Layla Kapok pillow cradle the upper body’s curves which helps in easing shoulder pain while still providing ample support. All the foam pieces used in the Layla pillow are CertiPUR-US certified and are free from any toxins or harmful chemicals.

When you first received the Layla Kapok pillow, it will get to you over stuffed but of course all you have to do is unzip the cover and take out some off the fill until you get your preferred loft. The pillow cover is removable and machine washable but its fill should never come into contact with any type of liquid.

We experienced a small amount of off-gassing when we first unboxed the Layla Kapok pillow. We suggest airing it out in a well-ventilated room for 24-48 hours prior to first use.

Sizes

• Queen
• King

Warranty

Layla offers a 120 night sleep trial for their Kapok pillow and it comes backed by a 5 year warranty. Layla also offers free shipping within the continental United States.

Buy: Layla Kapok Pillow

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Quick view and comparison

Brand	Saatva Latex Pillow	Nolah Squishy Pillow	Medcline Shoulder Relief System	Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow	Layla Kapok Pillow
Sizes	2	2	2	2	2
Loft (inches)	6	5.5	7	5	6
Sleeping Position	All sleeper types	All sleeper types	Side sleepers	Stomach and side sleepes	All sleeper types
Trial (nights)	45	N/A	30	100	120
Warranty	1	2	1	2	5
Link to buy	Buy Saatva Latex Pillow	Buy Nolah Squishy Pillow	Buy Medcline Shoulder Relief System	Buy Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow	Buy Layla Kapok Pillow

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How to choose a pillow for shoulder pain relief

Whether your shoulder pain is caused by a chronic condition or you just slept in a weird position, choosing the best pillow to help alleviate that pain is key. There are more than a few factors to consider when choosing a pillow for shoulder pain relief and we’ve listed them all down for you below:

Loft

Choosing the right pillow loft depends on your body type and sleeping position. Heavier individuals who sleep on their sides would getter better support and pain relief from a higher loft pillow while average weight stomach sleepers and back sleepers should choose a mid to low loft.

Support

A supportive pillow is crucial when it comes to choosing the right pillows for shoulder pain. Choose a pillow that fully supports both your head and neck as well as your shoulder joint and upper body. A good, supportive pillow also helps provide proper spinal alignment thus improving your overall sleep quality.

Firmness level

Like with a pillow’s loft, choosing the right firmness level also depends on your body type as well as your preferred sleeping position. Back and stomach sleepers should choose a medium-firm pillow while side sleepers would get more pressure relief with choosing a plushier pillow.

Cost

Pillows that are specifically designed to help treat neck and shoulder pain can cost more than the average pillow and if you feel as though you really need it, then by all means splurge. But there are a lot of standard type pillows that can still provide the same pain and pressure relief for a lesser price. How much you are willing to shell out is entirely up to you.

Pressure relief

Softer, plushier pillows are the ones that provide the most pressure relief but make sure to choose one that is pretty supportive as well. A soft pillow that provides no support whatsoever can only worsen your condition.

Materials

According to sleep specialists, latex foam and memory foam are found to be the best types of pillow materials to help alleviate shoulder pain. Latex foam is slightly more responsive than memory foam while memory foam conforms to your body, essentially cradling you.

Shape

Choose a pillow that spans the entire width of your upper body so you may get ample support that’s spread evenly throughout.

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Types of shoulder pain pillows

Just like traditional pillows, pillows that are great for shoulder pain relief come in many different types of materials. Depending on your body type, sleeping position, budget and personal preferences, the choice is entirely up to you.

Memory foam

Highly regarded by chiropractors and sleep specialists alike, memory foam pillows are excellent for shoulder pain since they conform to your body while offering enough support for correct sleep posture. But there are a few downsides to memory foam such as heat retention and sinkage but most mattress brands nowadays have come up with their own proprietary memory foam alternatives that help with both heat retention and sinkage.

Latex

Sharing similar benefits to memory foam when it comes to pressure and pain relief, latex foam is more responsive and allows you to move around better without feeling stuck. Latex is also naturally cooling and hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for both hot sleepers and those who suffer from seasonal allergies. The only caveat is, memory foam tends to be a bit more expensive than any other pillow type.

Down

Real down is soft, plush and very, very fluffy. Because it is very malleable, it would only suit side sleepers and stomach sleepers the best. Also, if you follow a strict vegan lifestyle then down pillows are probably not the best choice for you.

Down alternative

Most down alternative pillows are made from microdenier fibers or foam fillers and offer the same plushiness as real down bit with more support. This means down alternative pillows would be suitable for all sleeper types.

Polyfoam

Polyfoam tends to be firmer and denser than any other type of foam and may not be able to provide those who suffer from shoulder pain much relief.

Buckwheat

Pillows filled with buckwheat tend to be firmer and a firm pillow would not do much in the form of pain relief, especially if you are a strict side sleeper.

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How to position a pillow for shoulder pain

There are a number of positions you can do to help ease shoulder pain while you sleep. Remember, it’s important to use the right type of pillow for your body weight and sleeping position or else none of these positions would do much good in the long run.

On your back with pillow in armpit

Raising your arm while you sleep helps loosen you shoulder joint which in return may help alleviate any shoulder pain.

On your side with pillow in armpit

Sleeping on the side usually eats into one shoulder, especially when paired with the wrong pillow. But some people find that they experience more pain relief when sleeping on their sides with their arm raised.

On your side with pillow under back

This position not only helps with shoulder pain but with upper back pain as well. Make sure to also keep a pillow under your knees for proper spinal alignment.

On your side with pillow between knees

A variation of the fetal position (which science has proven to have a lot of benefits), sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees may help alleviate shoulder pain, especially when paired with a higher loft, plushy pillow.

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About shoulder pain

There can be many reasons why shoulders may hurt. Often they are caused by injuries and accidents but sometimes sleeping in the wrong position or using the wrong type of pillow for your body type and sleeping position can also cause shoulder pain.

What causes shoulder pain

• Injury or accident – Consult immediately with a healthcare professional if this happens.
• Sleeping in the wrong position for too long – Sometimes, if you’ve slept in one position for a long time, this can cause your muscles to strain or nerves to become cramped, therefore causing pain. Try to switch positions often.
• Using the wrong pillow firmness and loft for your preferred sleeping position – Always make sure to use the correct pillow firmness and loft for your preferred sleeping position.
• Stress – Try to avoid stress as much as you can as this can also be the cause of any unexplained shoulder pain.

Can a pillow cause shoulder pain

A pillow can most definitely cause shoulder pain so always choose the correct type of pillow for your preferred sleeping position as well as body type.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

Shoulder pain can be alleviated by using the correct type of pillow for your body type, preferred sleeping position and/or health condition.

Nowadays, there are so many types of pain and pressure relieving pillows to choose from that can suit any type of budget and preference.

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Next step: Try out the Saatva Latex Pillow. We like it because it’s cooling, comfortable, and helps relieve shoulder pain. If you aren’t sure which brand to choose, go with Saatva. It’s the best pillow for shoulder pain relief.

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