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The right pillow can help you relieve pain and get better quality sleep. Your bedding setup, including your pillows and the mattress, are crucial to keep your body properly aligned while you’re asleep, and keep you from sleeping in a manner that will cause further discomfort. You need to consider certain factors when picking the best pillow for back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain. The most important ones are your sleeping position and pillow materials. Back and side sleeping are recommended as the ideal positions for pain relief, but there are options for stomach sleepers seeking aid too. 

Abby Kamagate/EyeEm/Getty Images

We get into the important details below, including my best pillows for pain recommendations and what you should know when shopping for a pillow to relieve your pain. 

Best pillow for neck pain 

Mattress price scale:

$ = Budget: $799 and below

$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699

$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up

These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.

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The Eli &amp; Elm side sleeper pillow is shaped to contour around your shoulders.&nbsp;

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Eli &amp; Elm side sleeper pillow is shaped to contour around your shoulders.&nbsp;

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Eli &amp; Elm side sleeper pillow is shaped to contour around your shoulders.&nbsp;

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When considering the best pillow for neck pain, side sleepers need a lofty, tall pillow that properly supports the neck without going flat. Feather pillows are (usually) not your friend. The Eli & Elm Pillow is around five inches tall and measures 17 by 29 inches. You can get yours with extra fill if you want it even firmer. 

Conversely, you can take fill out to adjust its firmness level to your liking. It’s also ergonomically shaped to contour around your shoulder and has the right loftiness to keep your neck in alignment with your spine. 

The inside is made with soft polyester fibers and bouncy latex shreds; Eli & Elm call them noodles. It provides a good balance between soft and supportive. Latex foam is bouncy and pressure relieving, but doesn’t lose its shape and durability, an ideal trait when you’re looking for the best pillow for neck pain. 

Eli & Elm | Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow with Adjustable Filler to Get The Perfect Contour Curved Pillow for A Neck Pain Relief Sleep – Removable Latex and Polyester Filling- 17″ X 29″

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The contour model of the True Temp pillow is a good pillow for back sleepers with neck pain.&nbsp;

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The contour model of the True Temp pillow is a good pillow for back sleepers with neck pain.&nbsp;

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The contour model of the True Temp pillow is a good pillow for back sleepers with neck pain.&nbsp;

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The pillow on the bottom of the stack is the ultimate model. It has three removable inserts to adjust its firmness and loft.&nbsp;

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The pillow on the bottom of the stack is the ultimate model. It has three removable inserts to adjust its firmness and loft.&nbsp;

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The pillow on the bottom of the stack is the ultimate model. It has three removable inserts to adjust its firmness and loft.&nbsp;

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Best pillow for back pain

Amazon

The Layla Kapok pillow is an eco-friendly pillow made with natural fill sourced from the fibers of kapok tree seed pods. Alongside Layla’s shredded memory foam fill, it makes for a plush, cushy and supportive pillow that supports the cervical spine while promoting a proper “C-shaped” curve for back sleepers with back pain. 

The Layla Kapok, like a few others on our best pillow for pain list, is adjustable. You can remove the filling to size the loft to your preference. I also appreciate the price of this pillow, as it’s one of the more affordable options in our best pillow for back pain list. 

Brooklyn Bedding

Stomach sleeping isn’t recommended for people with back pain, but having an accommodating, low-loft pillow is better if you can’t make the switch. You want to keep your neck in alignment with your spine to avoid hurting your back more, but your pillow should properly support your neck. 

The Talalay latex pillow from Brooklyn Bedding has a low loft option that accommodates a stomach sleeper without losing its shape. It’s also a very environmentally friendly pillow, made with a Talalay latex slab sourced from a rubber tree’s sap. Outside, the cover is made from soft, organic cotton. 

Its perforated latex construction makes it a breathable, temperature-regulating pillow if you’re a sleeper who gets hot during the night. Last but not least, it has one of the most affordable price tags on our list. 

Casper

The only down pillow mentioned on my best pillow for pain list, the Casper Down uses ethically sourced feathers and a five-chamber design to deliver fluffiness that doesn’t go completely flat when you lay your head down. The inner chambers are supportive and firm, while the outer chambers feel light and airy. It will require fluffing every day or two to keep its shape. 

When you’re living with shoulder pain, sleeping on your back with the Casper Down pillow supporting the neck and between the shoulders is a comfortable way to gently relieve pressure around the shoulders while keeping your back in line with your neck and head. 

My dad had shoulder surgery and I recommended this pillow to him. He said it was so good he bought two, and my mom even ended up buying one for herself. 

Casper Sleep Down Pillow for Sleeping, Standard, White

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If you’re a side sleeper, the Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is one of the best pillows for pain.&nbsp;

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If you’re a side sleeper, the Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is one of the best pillows for pain.&nbsp;

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If you’re a side sleeper, the Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is one of the best pillows for pain.&nbsp;

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How we tested pillows

CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. We are still testing the best pillow for shoulder pain in side sleepers and will update the article accordingly. 

Loft: Regarding pillows, the word “loft” refers to their height. Different sleeping positions require a different pillow height. The goal is to have a pillow that supports the head and neck and keeps your spine in a straight alignment. 

Firmness: The firmer the pillow, the more supportive it is. I looked for pillows that had a firm, supportive feel that still relieved tension around the joints. Softer, flat pillows may not be ideal when dealing with back, shoulder or neck pain. 

Adjustability: Many pillows these days are made to be adjustable because brands know that pillows aren’t a “one size fits all” deal. This way, you can remove filling or inserts to adjust the firmness and loft to your specific needs. It also makes pillows accommodating for different body types — the larger your build, the taller and firmer your pillow should be. 

Price: Some people have the budget to invest in an expensive pillow that helps relieve pain, but others need pain relief without spending over $100 on a pillow. I wanted to include a fair share of both options so most people can afford a comfortable night’s sleep. 

Materials and comfort: Memory foam and latex foam tend to make the best pillows for pain relief. They offer pressure relief, contouring and support without losing shape or requiring regular fluffing. Some down pillows are beneficial for pain relief, especially when placed under the lumbar region or in between limbs. 

What to consider when choosing the best pillow for pain

Sleeping position

Side sleeping has been shown to reduce pain in the neck and spine. Side sleepers can lie with a tall pillow supporting their neck and head, keeping it in a straight line with their spine. Keep a supportive pillow between the knees to maintain the hips in alignment and reduce pressure on your hips and joints. Check out our top picks for the best pillows for side sleepers for even more help with pain relief. 

Back sleepers benefit from small to medium loft pillows that keep the neck or cervical spine in a proper C-shaped curve. Back sleeping is ideal for minimizing pain because it distributes pressure evenly across your body and reduces pressure on the spine. 

Stomach sleepers report the greatest amount of neck pain during the day, and stomach sleeping can put added pressure on your back and shoulders. It’s not recommended as a good sleeping position when dealing with pain. That said, you can sleep with a pillow under your hips to promote better spinal alignment if you can’t switch to your side or back. 

Pain type

Sleeping with shoulder pain is most comfortable when you sleep on your back or non-injured shoulder. Back sleeping is recommended because it evenly distributes weight without disturbing either of your shoulders. Still, you can also sleep on your side with a pillow beneath your armpit to relieve pressure. 

Sleeping with back pain is most comfortable when you’re on your back so you ensure straight spine and neck alignment. You can also place a pillow under your knees to relieve more pressure off your spine. 

Sleeping with neck pain is most comfortable on the side or back, but your pillow must keep your cervical spine in neutral alignment to avoid increased pressure on the neck. Back sleepers with shoulder pain should sleep with their pillow supporting their shoulders and neck, and another underneath their knees to relieve pressure off the spine.

Materials

Certain materials are better at keeping their shape, propping your head up and cradling your neck and shoulders. The best pillow for back pain, shoulder pain or neck pain will have a good balance between pressure relief and support, with a decent firmness. 

Loft

The loft of your pillow is important when you’re dealing with pain. Your pillow’s height should accommodate your specific sleeping position to keep your spine, neck and head in alignment. 

Side sleepers benefit from taller, loftier pillows that support their head. Stomach sleepers benefit from thin pillows that cradle the head, and back sleepers need a medium loft that promotes a proper C-shaped curve. 

Best pillow materials for back, neck and shoulder pain 

Memory foam

Memory foam is known for its pressure-relieving properties and is a good choice for support and comfort. This is why several of our best pillow for back pain picks include memory foam. It’ll contour around your shoulders and head while never going flat. 

Latex foam

Latex foam is an airy, durable and supportive foam that’s also squishy at the same time. Many brands use organic latex foam, making their pillows eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. Latex foam has similar pressure-relieving characteristics to those of memory foam but is much bouncier. 

Down

Down pillows act as a good added cushion around the body when trying to support your knees, shoulders or lower back. As long as the down pillow has a supportive design, it can also benefit back and stomach sleepers who need small to medium loft. 

Poly foam 

Polyurethane foam is cheaper to make than memory or latex foam, meaning these types of pillows are more affordable. It’s more responsive than memory foam and more like traditional soft foam than latex foam. To put things in perspective, comfy couches are made with polyurethane foam.

Best pillow for pain FAQs

<div id="576e7812-130c-407a-aca0-00ba07209e4b" data-cy="shortcodeFaq" heading="What pillows do Chiropractors recommend?" description="

Many chiropractors suggest memory or latex foam because of their supportive and pressure-relieving qualities. These foams contour around your curves, keep the neck and head propped up and promote a straight spinal alignment.&nbsp;

” page-position can-collapse=”true” collapse-on-page-load=”false” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”false” questions=”[]” ng-block=”{"id":"lsnze1b3zasori9","type":"faq"}” edition=”us” class=”c-shortcodeFaq g-container-rounded-small”>

Many chiropractors suggest memory or latex foam because of their supportive and pressure-relieving qualities. These foams contour around your curves, keep the neck and head propped up and promote a straight spinal alignment. 

<div id="20491071-5fa1-43ab-81e0-a30af1974460" data-cy="shortcodeFaq" heading="Can pillows cause back, shoulder or neck pain?" description="

Yes, your pillow plays a key part in preventing added pressure to the neck and spine. If your pillow doesn’t accommodate your sleeping position, you risk improper spinal alignment and increased pain.&nbsp;

” page-position can-collapse=”true” collapse-on-page-load=”false” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”false” questions=”[]” ng-block=”{"id":"zp5nyze96xusrzu","type":"faq"}” edition=”us” class=”c-shortcodeFaq g-container-rounded-small”>

Yes, your pillow plays a key part in preventing added pressure to the neck and spine. If your pillow doesn’t accommodate your sleeping position, you risk improper spinal alignment and increased pain. 

<div id="f59762ac-e3c1-43e5-90bf-18a82e09b00e" data-cy="shortcodeFaq" heading="What sleeping position gives you back pain?" description="

Stomach sleeping is the most unrecommended position when dealing with back, shoulder and neck pain. This position adds more pressure on your spine and can also contribute to neck pain because you have to keep your head kinked to the side during sleep.&nbsp;

” page-position can-collapse=”true” collapse-on-page-load=”false” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”false” questions=”[]” ng-block=”{"id":"68m0hxri86y1p73","type":"faq"}” edition=”us” class=”c-shortcodeFaq g-container-rounded-small”>

Stomach sleeping is the most unrecommended position when dealing with back, shoulder and neck pain. This position adds more pressure on your spine and can also contribute to neck pain because you have to keep your head kinked to the side during sleep. 

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