Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain (2020): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Many of us have experienced shoulder pain at one time or another. Maybe you overexerted yourself or sat in a slumped position for too long. Sometimes, you might wake up with shoulder pain if you slept in an awkward position.

For many of us, shoulder pain is a temporary inconvenience. For others, it’s a permanent condition. If you’re unsure of the cause, a doctor’s visit can help you determine how severe your shoulder pain is.

No matter the cause, the pain can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. The right mattress can make all the difference and help you regain a good night’s rest.

That’s why we compiled a list of the best mattresses for shoulder pain. If your current mattress has gone bad, a new mattress might be all that’s needed to soothe a sore shoulder.

1. Amerisleep AS4

Side sleepers who want a softer mattress for aching joints may find the perfect solution is an Amerisleep AS4 mattress. This bed is the company’s medium-soft mattress. There are three layers of foam inside the AS4.

The AS4 contains 4 inches of unique Bio-Pur® material, a plant-based foam. This foam molds to your curves for pressure relief, which helps you maintain a healthy sleeping posture. Bio-Pur® is bouncier and breathable than traditional memory foam.

Amerisleep’s AS4 mattress contains more Bio-Pur® foam than any other Amerisleep mattress. A thicker comfort layer helps to promote a softer feel.

Underneath the Bio-Pur® is an inch-thick Affinity layer with HIVE® Technology. HIVE® separates the foam into a head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet section through hexagonal cutouts. The cutouts are further apart in the shoulder and hip areas for more pressure relief. In the head, backs, and feet sections, the cutouts are closer together to create uncompromising support.

The mattress’s third layer is 7 inches of Bio-Core® foam, a durable foam that promotes mattress longevity. Bio-Core® is resilient enough for Amerisleep to feel confident in offering a 20-year warranty with every mattress.

Under Amerisleep’s 20-year mattress warranty, you’re fully protected for the first 10 years. During the warranty’s second half, you will bear partial for any repairs or replacements.

Every Amerisleep mattress also includes free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and a 100-day sleep trial with free returns.

2. Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid

Many sleepers experience morning shoulder pain when their mattresses aren’t soft enough. If you’re a side sleeper with a too-firm mattress, you might want to upgrade to Amerisleep’s AS5 Hybrid mattress. It’s the softest mattress Amerisleep offers.

The 14-inch mattress has four layers wrapped in a soft, breathable cover. On top is 3 inches of responsive and breathable Bio-Pur® foam. You might wonder how Amerisleep creates a softer mattress by using less Bio-Pur® foam than in the AS4. Well, the secret is in the bed’s second layer.

The AS5 Hybrid has a transition layer that’s 2 inches of a unique material known as Active Flex. Active Flex is a springy material that keeps your bed from feeling so soft that it’s unresponsive.  You don’t have to worry about sinking too far in your mattress or finding it difficult to move across the surface. Active Flex accomplishes this without compromising the bed’s plush feel.

The bed’s support core is 8 inches of pocketed coils on a firm foam base. Amerisleep divides the coils into three zones. At the mattress’s head and foot, the coils feel soft, reducing pressure points. The coils in the midsection are firm for better back support. This firmness promotes neutral spine alignment.

You have 100 days to try out the AS5 Hybrid, with a 20-year warranty backing its quality.

3. Zoma Mattress

The foams inside the Zoma Mattress are designed to promote recovery while you rest. The bed is marketed primarily toward athletes and other physically active people. However, anyone can benefit from a Zoma Mattress, no matter what their lifestyle is. Its construction focuses on soothing aches and pains and limiting sleep interruptions.

The Zoma Mattress’s top layer is 2 inches of cooling gel memory foam, perfect for pressure and pain relief. The gels move body heat away from you, so you have less chance of waking up in the middle of the night sweating. This top layer has triangular cutouts in the shoulder and head area to increase pressure-soothing cushion. These cutouts form the bed’s Triangulex™ technology.

Underneath the gel foam is 2 inches of flexible Reactiv™ foam. Reactiv™ forms the bed’s transition layer, which keeps you from sinking so deep that you feel uncomfortable or even misalign your spine. The material’s bounce also saves you from feeling stuck when you move out of bed.

The base layer is 7 inches of Support+ foam. This sturdy poly-foam resists sagging and indentations. Support+ keeps the rest of the mattress in good shape, enabling you to sleep well at night.

When you buy a Zoma Mattress, you will receive a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Zoma makes returns easy by arranging an at-home pickup before offering a full refund.

4. Zoma Hybrid

Thanks to the growing popularity of hybrid mattresses, Zoma decided to release a bouncier counterpart. You’ll find the same restorative features and foams of the all-foam Zoma in the Zoma Hybrid, but in the hybrid they are resting on top of a pocketed coil support core.

The bed’s top foam layers are the same as the Zoma Mattress:

• First, there is a 2-inch gel memory foam comfort layer with Triangulex™ technology. Triangulex™ ensures the bed feels softer where you want it and firmer where you need it.
• Next, there is a 2-inch transition layer of Reactiv™ foam. Reactiv™ adapts to your movements, increasing comfort.

However, the Zoma Hybrid has a different support system. Instead of resilient poly-foam, the bed contains 7 inches of pocketed coils on a firm foam base.

A Zoma Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

5. Vaya Mattress

The Vaya Mattress features 12 inches of pure comfort through its mix of bounce and support. It’s designed to accommodate all sleeping positions for better support and relaxation.

The Vaya company strives for affordability. A better night’s sleep should be accessible for everyone, after all. It’s our top recommendation for anyone on a tight budget.

The mattress has a two-layer design, with a breathable cover encasing the mattress. Both foams are certified safe by CertiPUR-US®.

The top foam is 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam, an airy and cool material that gives full-body pressure relief. The material is lighter than traditional memory foam, yet it relieves pressure in your shoulders and other areas just as well.

A Vaya Mattress is supported by 9 inches of durable base foam. You’ll feel lifted and your spine will remain in its neutral alignment, regardless of whether you prefer to sleep on your side, back, or stomach. This also makes a Vaya Bed an excellent mattress for combination sleepers.

A queen size mattress is $599, able to fit in most people’s budgets. You have 100 nights to try out your Vaya Mattress when it arrives, and a 10-year warranty should any defects arise.

6. Bear Hybrid

Every Bear mattress has a medium to medium-firm feel, falling into what Bear calls the “sweet spot” of mattress firmnesses. According to Bear, most sleepers find mattresses in this range feel comfortable and supportive. The spine is kept aligned without placing pressure on your hips and shoulders.

Like Zoma, Bear markets its mattresses toward people with an active lifestyle, its foams and features focused on recovery. While there are two other Bear mattresses to consider, our top recommendation is the Bear Hybrid. It has a bounce that Bear’s memory foam mattresses can’t match, helping you maintain a good sleep posture.

The Bear Hybrid has five layers that create a restorative sleep surface:

• A top layer of gel foam described as cooling and cloud-like
• A second layer of comfort foam that responds to your sleeping position and body type
• A breathable, pressure-relieving transition foam
• A bouncy coil layer
• A base of high-density foam for support and durability

All Bear Mattresses include a Celliant® mattress cover. Celliant® takes body heat and converts it into infrared energy, which your body then absorbs. When the infrared energy enters your body, it provides a temporary boost to local blood flow for quicker recovery.

The Bear Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

7. Purple Mattress

What sets the original Purple Mattress apart from other beds is its alternative to a memory foam comfort layer. Every Purple bed contains a top layer of Purple Grid™, a responsive material that is both soft and supportive to minimize pressure build-up. The Purple Grid™’s design has more than 1,800 air channels, guaranteeing a cool night’s rest.

When you lie down on the Purple Mattress, the grid yields to your hips and shoulders, cradling them for maximum pressure relief. The grid flexes less under your back to maintain support, ensuring a healthy spinal alignment. Two layers of poly-foam support the Purple Grid™, promoting a longer-lasting mattress.

The Purple Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

According to the Mayo Clinic, you may experience shoulder pain from any of the following:

• A broken arm or collarbone
• Heart attack
• Dislocated shoulder
• Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis. This is a condition where your shoulder joint grows stiff and painful.
• Osteoarthritis. This is when the cartilage cushioning your joints breaks down.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes swelling and stiffness in joints.
• Bursitis. This is when a fluid-filled sack between your bones and muscles swells and causes joint pain.
• An injury to your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is the muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint. This injury usually manifests as a dull ache that worsens when you move your arm away from your body.

Shoulder and neck pain are closely related, and sometimes you might experience shoulder pain because of an issue with your neck or vice versa. Douglas Krebs, DC, FACO of Chicago Spine and Sports stated that a recent study showed that up to 47.6% of shoulder pain was actually a neck issue. One example is cervical radiculopathy, where a pinched nerve root in the neck can manifest as shoulder pain.

While shoulder pain is often temporary and the result of an injury, it’s also possible for you to develop chronic shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is considered chronic if it persists for more than six months, and potential causes include rotator cuff disorders, a frozen shoulder, or arthritis.

Pregnant women may also experience shoulder pain, along with lower and upper back pain. While it may just be a consequence of side sleeping, stomach issues, or unbalanced weight in the abdomen, shoulder pain can also be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy and may require immediate medical attention.

Sleeping Positions for Shoulder Pain

Your sleeping position can determine whether or not you’re waking up with sore shoulders. If too much pressure builds up in your shoulder or nearby areas such as your back or neck, you’ll feel in poor condition when you wake up.

Every sleep position also has a suitable firmness level. Lying on a too-firm or too-soft mattress can keep you from experiencing quality sleep.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is arguably the healthiest sleeping position. It promotes a healthy heart and may reduce your risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. The position also reduces symptoms of snoring, sleep apnea, and acid reflux.

However, the position does increase the  risk of shoulder and hip pain. If these heavier parts of the body aren’t allowed room to sink in, side sleepers may experience morning pain. A mattress for side sleeping should have a medium to soft feel for optimal pressure relief.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping can be a good position for easing shoulder pain. When you lie on your back, your posture is similar to what it is when you stand up straight. This promotes a healthy spine alignment and evenly distributing weight across your body.

A mattress for back sleeping should feel firm and keep the spine aligned yet be conforming enough to meet the back’s curves. A medium-firm mattress is the right firmness for most back sleepers. Some may prefer a firm mattress or a medium bed with targeted back support.

Stomach Sleepers

While lying on your stomach may relieve any pain in your shoulder, we can’t recommend this position. Stomach sleepers often experience chronic back pain and neck pain from their position. Since stomach sleeping affects your spine alignment, you might even worsen shoulder pain.

When you lie on your stomach, gravity pushes your lower body into the mattress. This drags your spine out of neutral alignment. Stomach sleepers also have to twist their neck to the side for easier breathing. The unnatural angle leaves them with a sore neck in the morning.

If you’re a stomach sleeper who can’t fall asleep any other way, try a firm mattress to prevent sinkage.

Firmness Levels and Body Weight

Your sleeping position isn’t the only important factor when it comes to finding your perfect mattress firmness. Petite and heavy individuals need to consider their body weight when they shop, too. Mattresses often feel different when you weigh more or less than the average person.

Lightweight sleepers under 130 pounds should look for a softer mattress. When a petite sleeper lies down on a firmer mattress, it does not soften as it would for a person of average weight. If the mattress can’t soften up enough to conform to their bodies, then pressure on the body will turn into pain.

Heavy people usually benefit from sleeping on a firmer mattress. Firm mattresses are often better than soft beds at maintaining neutral spine alignment and enduring pressure. A soft mattress can be considered if it has added support features, like a responsive transition layer or targeted back support.

Best and Worst Mattress Types for Shoulder Pain

Many mattresses fall into one of four categories. There are memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses.

There are other less common types, such as futons and waterbeds. However, we will focus on the four types you will likely consider when shopping for a mattress.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are one of the top recommendations for anyone experiencing pain. The material reacts to heat and pressure. When you lie down memory foam molds to you for full-body support and pressure relief.

Traditional memory foam mattresses often retain too much body heat. Any overheating could cause a sleeper to wake up sweaty. However, many mattress companies add cooling materials to improve heat dispersion.

You can find memory foam mattresses at almost any price point.  The beds are also available in all firmnesses. With a little research, you can find a memory foam mattress for any sleep style.

Latex

Latex is another popular material when it comes to pain-relieving mattresses. This springy material contours to the body for support and pressure relief. However, it’s not quite as conforming as memory foam. Latex mattresses can feel firm, which is why many companies offer an optional pillow top.

A natural latex mattress is one of the more durable beds on the market, with some lasting more than 15 years. Natural latex is also a good choice if you’re shopping for an organic bed. Certified organic latex mattresses are subjected to rigorous standards. You can rest assured that your bed is not only durable but also free of harmful chemicals.

Innerspring

Traditional innerspring mattresses have been around for decades, and many sleepers still prefer them even as other mattress types become more prominent. The design creates an excellent cooling mattress, leaving room for air to freely circulate and wick away heat. Many innerspring mattresses are inexpensive, excellent for anyone shopping on a restricted budget.

However, we cannot recommend an innerspring mattress if you’re a shoulder pain sufferer or experience another type of chronic pain. Innerspring mattresses cannot distribute a person’s body weight as well as other types of mattresses, which allows pressure points to build up and cause pain. If you want a bouncy bed, a hybrid might be the better choice.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses are a fusion of innerspring and foam mattresses. On a hybrid, you can experience the benefits of a foam mattress yet enjoy the bounce of a classic innerspring. A true hybrid mattress has a coil support core with at least 2 to 3 inches of foam on top.

Some hybrid models have sleep technology for targeted support and pressure relief. These design features ensure a firmer feel under your back and softer feel under your shoulders and other sensitive areas.

However, many sleepers may be surprised by how much a quality hybrid can cost. Because their design contains a mix of high-quality materials, hybrid mattresses often have expensive prices. If you’re hunting for a quality mattress under $1000, you might have better luck finding a memory foam mattress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a mattress hurt your shoulder?

A mattress can hurt your shoulder if you’re a side sleeper lying on the wrong mattress firmness. Side sleepers need mattresses soft enough to conform around the shoulders and hips. When the mattress is too firm, pressure points build up, leading to pain.

How should you sleep if your shoulder hurts?

Try to avoid sleeping on a sore shoulder. Switch sides or sleep on your back, and consider sleeping with a firm body pillow so that you don’t roll over. If the pain is distracting, you might want to take an over-the-counter pain medication. Stay active during the day and stick to your normal sleep schedule for a quicker recovery.

How can I relieve my shoulder pain?

If you have a sore shoulder, you can treat it at home with a cold compress or a heating pad. You can also try a cold compression bandage or a shoulder wrap that’s snug without being too tight.

Shoulder stretches can keep your shoulders limber and healthy. Stretching may also help relieve shoulder pain. However, you should stop immediately if your shoulder pain only worsens.

How do I know if my shoulder pain is serious?

Minor shoulder injuries can usually be treated at home with rest and ice. If you can move your arm normally, it’s probably nothing serious. However, you should see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Intense pain
• Sudden swelling in your shoulder
• A weak or numb feeling in your hand or arm
• An inability to use your shoulder
• A deformed shoulder joint

Where do I put my arms when sleeping on my side?

You might want to try stretching out your arms as if you’re reaching for something. This is known as the yearner position. You may need a full size or larger mattress to feel comfortable sleeping this way. You can also try hugging a pillow as you drift off to sleep.

What do I do with my old mattress?

When you set up your new mattress, you might struggle with what you should do with your old bed. After all, it’s not as simple as throwing it out with the rest of your garbage.

If your old mattress is still in good condition, you might use it as a guest room mattress or donate it to a local charity. However, if it’s no longer fit for sleeping, you can try recycling it through a local program. If neither of these options is suitable, search for junk removal services in your area.

Conclusion

Shoulder pain can make it more difficult to sleep at night, whether it’s temporary or chronic. If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, your recovery may take longer and increase the pain you’re in. Finding the best mattress can make it easier to get a full night’s rest.