If you’re reading this, you’ve probably woken up with shoulder pain after sleeping at some point. It’s bothersome but unfortunately common. Your shoulders are a complex part of your body, with many bones, muscles, and tendons working together. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to relieve or even prevent this pain. In this article, I’ll provide you with some valuable advice and introduce an innovative solution: the Stellar mattress with an adjustable shoulder zone.

Causes of shoulder pain after sleeping

Shoulder pain after sleeping can stem from various factors, primarily due to excessive shoulder pressure. Here are some common causes:

  • Unhealthy sleeping position

Sleeping on your side puts more pressure on your shoulders, as the weight of your entire torso rests on one shoulder. It might help to sleep on your stomach or back to reduce the pressure.

  • Wrong or bad mattress

While side sleeping is generally healthy, excessive pressure on your shoulders may warrant a look at your mattress. Lack of space and pressure-relieving materials can cause pinching.

  • Unsuitable pillow

A pillow of incorrect height can strain your neck and shoulders. The cervical spine must align with the thoracic spine to create a natural sleeping position.

  • Medical conditions

Research from 2011 showed that out of 1000 patients visiting a doctor, 15 suffer from shoulder pain. Issues such as arthritis, pinched nerves, rotator cuff injuries, or other conditions can contribute to shoulder pain. Acute situations like tears and fractures are less relevant to this article but still worth mentioning.

Preventing shoulder pain after sleeping

As you age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain a good, healthy sleep environment. Most students won’t complain after a night on a couch, but the older you get, the more resistant your body becomes. Therefore, it’s crucial to know how to prevent or alleviate shoulder pain.

  1. Change your sleeping position

Adjusting your sleeping position can help reduce pressure on your shoulders. Although side sleeping is healthy, it can lead to shoulder pain in some cases. Don’t forget that your sleep environment, such as your mattress and pillow, plays a significant role. You might unconsciously return to the position causing the pain, so ensure your sleep setup is optimally adjusted.

  1. Choose the right pillow

A pillow that keeps your neck and head in a neutral position can make a big difference. Side sleepers usually benefit from a thicker pillow, while back and stomach sleepers do better with a thinner pillow. An adjustable pillow is highly recommended.

Check out our article with all the tips for buying the best pillow.

  1. Choose the right mattress

To reduce the risk of pain, it’s important that your body lies in a natural position. This helps lessen the pressure on muscles and tendons. Therefore, it’s essential that the mattress suits you. Differences in body shape, weight, and sleeping position mean everyone has different needs for their mattress setup.

  1. Consult a medical specialist

If you have persistent pain, it’s important to consult a doctor or physiotherapist. They can recommend specific exercises and treatments to alleviate the pain.

The innovative solution: Stellar mattress with adjustable shoulder zone

Because shoulder pain after sleeping is a common problem, we paid special attention to this when developing the Stellar mattress. As mentioned earlier, a mattress must be tailored to your body. Differences in sleeping positions and body shapes call for customization in the shoulder area.

When we decided that the Stellar mattress should be adjustable, adding an adjustable shoulder zone was a logical choice. By combining adjustable firmness with the adjustable shoulder zone, this mattress can truly be tailored to everyone’s needs, regardless of body type, shape, or sleeping position.

How the adjustment works

The adjustable shoulder zone allows you to choose more or less space in the shoulder area. You can easily adjust it by rotating the mattress horizontally. If you need more space around your shoulders, place the side with the largest cutouts at the head end, and vice versa.

Side sleepers and people with broad shoulders compared to their hips will particularly benefit from a spacious shoulder zone. The goal is to keep the spine aligned during sleep.