Understand Your Shoulder Pain When Sleeping and How To Get Relief!

April 25, 2024

Shoulder pain can be a real nuisance, especially when it creeps into your sleep, turning restful nights into restless battles with the pillow.

If you’ve experienced shoulder pain when sleeping, you know how it can impact your quality of life.

But shoulder pain can be complex, with various types and causes. Let’s explore what shoulder pain can do, its different origins, and how it can affect your daily life.

Types of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can manifest in many ways, from dull aches to sharp, stabbing pains. The type of pain you experience can give clues about its source:

Frozen Shoulder: This condition, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can cause stiffness and pain in the shoulder, limiting your range of motion.
AC Joint Pain: This is caused by injury or inflammation in the acromioclavicular joint, which connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade.
Bursitis: An inflamed bursa can lead to shoulder pain, often due to overuse or repetitive motion.
Dislocation: Dislocations occur when the shoulder joint pops out of place
Tendonitis: The inflammation of a tendon, which causes both intense pain and instability.
Rotator Cuff Pain: This common cause is often linked to injuries or surgeries affecting the rotator cuff tendons. If you’re lying on your back, your elbow can drop below your shoulder, pulling directly on the rotator cuff tendons. This stress leads to pain and discomfort.

Shoulder Pain When Sleeping

Shoulder pain when sleeping is a common issue, especially for those who have undergone rotator cuff surgery.

This pain is often caused by improper sleeping positions, leading to stress on the rotator cuff tendons.

To minimize this stress, it’s recommended to sleep in a recliner or at a 45-degree angle with additional support from pillows or wedges.

This position reduces the pull on the humorous, allowing the tendons to heal with less strain.

If you prefer sleeping in a bed, consider using more pillows to prop yourself up or investing in a wedge pillow.

These adjustments can greatly relieve shoulder pain when sleeping.

The Connection Between Neck and Shoulder Pain

Neck pain can be related to shoulder pain.

Since your body functions as a unit, when one muscle group is affected, it can overexert another muscle group to compensate.

For example, if you have a stiff neck, it might lead to shoulder tension as your body tries to balance itself.

This interconnectedness is why shoulder pain and neck pain often go hand-in-hand.

How Shoulder Pain Impacts Your Daily Life

Shoulder pain can affect your ability to perform daily activities, from brushing your teeth to reaching for a cup on a high shelf.

It can also impact your sleep quality, leading to fatigue and irritability during the day.

In severe cases, it can hinder your work performance, cause missed days, and even lead to stress and depression due to missing out on work and social life events.

Seeking Professional Help

If shoulder pain persists or intensifies, it may be time to seek professional help.

Untreated shoulder pain can lead to headaches, hypertension, and even spinal issues if the problem worsens over time.

Kriz Physical Therapy can help you find relief and get back to living a pain-free life.

Free Discovery Session and Telephone Consultation

If you’re unsure if physical therapy is right for you, Kriz PT offers a Free Discovery Session. This allows you to visit our clinic, meet the team, and discuss your concerns without any commitment.

Alternatively, you can arrange a Free Telephone Consultation if you’d prefer to talk to a PT on the phone. We’ll discuss your discomfort and determine the best course of action.

Don’t let shoulder pain disrupt your life. Contact us today at (239)-992-6700 or email krizptinfo@gmail.com to get started on your path to recovery and say goodbye to shoulder pain when sleeping.