Sleep Without Pain! Find The Best Pillow For Shoulder Pain
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Sleeping is one of the most important parts of our daily lives.
It reenergizes us, rejuvenates us, and relaxes us - unless we keep waking up to shoulder pain.
Some sources suggest adults need between 7.5 and 8 hours of sleep a night; the CDC says adults need 7 or more hours. If shoulder pain wakes you up, that can be hard to reach.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint complaints. One estimate puts it at 20% of the population at some point in life, and it can be extremely debilitating.
Fortunately, the right pillow can help you get more comfortable at night.
A supportive pillow won't heal an injury, but it can take some pressure off a sore shoulder.
We've reviewed the best pillows for shoulder pain so you can get relief during the night and sleep easily.
What Causes Shoulder Pain When Sleeping?
There could be a few reasons that you're experiencing shoulder pain at night.
One of the most common is that you have an issue with your rotator cuff.
This is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint.
The tendons can become inflamed (tendinitis), and so can the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions them (bursitis). Tendons can also tear.
An injury to the rotator cuff can cause a dull, achy pain that may be mild during the day.
MedlinePlus notes that rotator cuff problems often cause pain at night, such as when lying on the affected shoulder.
Sometimes it will hurt you no matter what side you sleep on.
How Can the Right Pillow Fix This?
If you suspect you have an injury to your rotator cuff or are experiencing consistent shoulder pain be sure to see your healthcare professional and follow their recommendations.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include rest, physical therapy, medicine or injections. Ask whether a different sleep position or pillow could help, too.
The right pillow can reduce discomfort by keeping so much of your body weight off your shoulder.
The majority of people that experience shoulder pain that worsens during the night will probably be side sleepers. Side sleeping is the most common position; one survey put it at 65% of the US population.
Sleeping on your side, much of your body weight is concentrated on your shoulder. A pillow that helps redistribute the weight can make a huge difference.
What Makes a Good Shoulder Pain Pillow?
The broadest answer to this question is that a good pillow means you don’t wake up with shoulder pain, but how does that work?
Well, first off, as discussed above, the pillow must provide some support since part of the problem comes from you sleeping on your side with your weight on your shoulder.
The best pillows for shoulder pain should be designed specifically to help with shoulder pain.
Features such as being hypoallergenic, using memory foam, or any other features for comfort make these products even better for customers.
Another important feature is how long the pillow lasts. Specialty pillows, such as ones for injuries or pains, can be expensive.
Something that takes an expensive product above and beyond is durability.
If you're going to spend more than usual, you deserve a superior product that will last longer.
The last, most important – and possibly the most obvious – feature of a pillow is general comfort.
Supporting your shoulder is only half the job. These things are all linked, so you have to be able to rest your head comfortably on a pillow for it to be a good one.
BioSense 2-in-1 Shoulder Pillow for Side Sleepers
BioSense’s 2-in-1 Shoulder Pillow is our pick for side sleepers with shoulder pain.
This pillow has a memory foam core, and the maker describes its cover as ultra-plush.
This allows it to be soft, as well as conform to your specific body shape.
It's firm too, so it offers ample support to protect you from the pain of lying with all your weight on your rotator cuff all night.
The BioSense shoulder pillow also has many of the features mentioned above that take it from good to great.
For one, it's hypoallergenic, so you can still use it when you're worried about your allergies acting up.
This pillow is also a good long term investment.
One of the biggest reasons to replace a pillow is that it loses its shape. Memory foam generally holds its shape longer than polyester fill, though every pillow wears out eventually.
Pros and Cons
So, let’s get down to the specifics.
What’s good and what’s bad about this pillow?
First, let’s get the bad news over with.
The main con is that of preference. Some users complained that the pillow was too firm for them and hurt their neck.
However, this pillow is made for support, so it's meant to be firm.
This means some users don't find it comfortable, but ultimately the goal of the pillow is support and to take the weight off your shoulder- a softer pillow would not be effective to do this.
Now, onto the good news.
As mentioned before, the pillow is hypoallergenic, so it protects against allergens.
It's also perforated for ventilation, keeping it cool through the night and further helping you avoid being uncomfortable.
Lastly, it's machine washable, keeping it easy to maintain as well.
Conclusion
Sleeping is supposed to rejuvenate you, and there's nothing worse than a night spent tossing and turning, unable to focus on anything but the nagging pain in your shoulder.
Trust me, I've been there!
See a doctor if shoulder pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, follows an injury, or comes with weakness or trouble lifting your arm. A pillow that takes pressure off your shoulder can then help you rest while you heal.
Sources
- Rotator cuff problems, MedlinePlus
- About Sleep, CDC
