When it comes to shoulder surgery recovery, most patients are sent home in a traditional neck-strap sling — and for decades, it’s been considered the standard.

But what if that sling is doing more harm than good?

Let’s break down the problem — and a better way to support your recovery at night.

The Problem With Neck Strap Slings

While slings are important for immobilization during the early stages of healing, the neck strap design is outdated and often harmful in a few key ways:

• Neck and trap strain: The weight of the entire arm is distributed through one thin strap over the neck. This puts stress on the upper trapezius muscles and leads to tension, headaches, and new pain in areas unrelated to your surgery.

• Poor posture: Wearing a sling all day pulls your neck and shoulder forward, promoting slouched posture and muscle imbalances — especially if you’re already in pain.

• Nerve irritation: Pressure from the strap can compress nerves in the neck and shoulder, potentially leading to tingling, numbness, or increased discomfort.

• Lack of sleep support: When lying down, the sling provides little to no actual support. Many patients end up waking up in pain or accidentally rolling onto the surgical arm.

The Solution: Proper Shoulder Support During Sleep

That’s why we created the Shoulder Sleeper Pillow — a physical therapist–designed solution that supports the healing shoulder without relying on the neck.

This patent-pending pillow:

• Cradles the shoulder in a neutral position

• Prevents painful rolling or arm movement

• Reduces pressure on the surgical site

• Minimizes stress on the neck and traps

• Helps patients sleep more comfortably and confidently

“This pillow gave me more comfort than the sling ever did. I actually slept through the night for the first time post-surgery.”
— Verified Customer

Final Thoughts

We’re not saying to ditch your sling — your surgeon and PT will guide you through when and how to use it.

But if you’re relying on a neck strap for sleep support, it’s likely not doing the job.

The Shoulder Sleeper Pillow was designed to solve this overlooked problem — so you can sleep better, heal faster, and wake up with less pain.

Shop the Shoulder Sleeper Pillow

Join the thousands of recovering patients using the Shoulder Sleeper Pillow to take pressure off their neck and finally rest easy.

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