Dealing With Shoulder Pain With A Side Sleeping Pillow

Like many people, I am a side sleeper. I may toss and turn and switch between a lot of different positions during the night, but typically, I end up on my side.

The problem with being a side sleeper is that it puts a lot of stress on the arm, the shoulder, the hips, and your spine. Many side sleepers report interrupted sleep because of this, or may wake up feeling stiff and sore.

Side sleeping becomes especially difficult if you suffer from a shoulder injury such as frozen shoulder syndrome, a rotator cuff injury, tendonitis, bursitis, impingement, arthritis, or even a torn muscle. It becomes very difficult and painful to sleep on your side with a shoulder injury.  For those of you who are accustomed to sleeping on your side, it can be a very difficult adjustment if your doctor or physical therapist suggests that you sleep on your back instead.

The alternative is to make use of specially designed pillows for people who prefer to sleep on their side. Using memory foam and innovative designs, engineers and sleep specialists have devised a number of very clever pillows.

Typically, a specially designed side sleeper pillow will be made out of memory foam. This is a special type of material that is head activated and conforms to the shape of your head, shoulders, and body. But it can also be rather thick and heavy, especially if you sleep with your arm under the pillow.  The most advanced pillows for side sleepers will have strategically placed channels, contours, and shelves. These channels and indentations allow room for your shoulder to tuck under a ledge without pressure while your head is supported further back. Some pillows even have channels for your arm to rest underneath or wrap around the side.