Shoulder pain that disrupts your sleep is more than just a nightly annoyance. Poor sleep can impact your daily life, affecting your concentration, decision-making, and even your mood. It can also hinder your body's natural healing processes, potentially prolonging your discomfort. While finding a comfortable sleeping position is crucial, persistent shoulder pain could indicate a more significant underlying issue. This post explores the common causes of nighttime shoulder pain and offers practical solutions for relief.
Understanding Nighttime Shoulder Pain
Many people who sleep on their side experience shoulder pain. It's understandable how consistently placing the weight of your body on one shoulder can lead to discomfort. However, pain that worsens at night or persists even when you're not lying down could be a sign of a more serious condition.
During the day, we often unconsciously adjust our posture and movements to minimize discomfort. Our brains also play a role in managing pain signals, allowing us to focus on other tasks. At night, with fewer distractions and limited movement, these pain signals become more prominent. As our bodies relax and our brains enter a state of rest, they become less effective at suppressing these signals, making pain feel more intense.
What Causes Shoulder Pain When Sleeping?
While sleeping position is a common culprit, other factors can contribute to shoulder pain at night. Sleeping on your side can misalign your spine and place excessive pressure on your hips, lower back, and shoulders. However, if the pain persists regardless of sleeping position, it may be related to an underlying condition. Some potential causes include:
- Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease causes the cartilage in the shoulder joint to break down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Bursitis: This condition involves inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint. It can cause sharp pain, swelling, and tenderness.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: These injuries involve damage to the muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Symptoms include a dull ache, weakness, and difficulty lifting or rotating the arm.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): This condition causes stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder joint due to inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule.
- Shoulder Impingement: This occurs when tendons in the shoulder become compressed, leading to pain, especially when lifting the arm overhead.
Recognizing the Symptoms
It's important to recognize the specific symptoms associated with each condition:
- Osteoarthritis: Deep aching pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, clicking or grinding sensations.
- Bursitis: Sharp pain, swelling, tenderness, increased pain when lying on the affected side.
- Rotator Cuff Injury: Dull ache, weakness, difficulty sleeping on the affected side, crackling or grating sounds.
- Frozen Shoulder: Stiffness, restricted movement, pain that worsens at night.
- Shoulder Impingement: Pain in the top and outer side of the shoulder, worsening with overhead movements.
Finding Relief: Practical Solutions
If you're experiencing shoulder pain when sleeping, there are several strategies you can try:
- Adjusting Your Sleeping Position: If you're a side sleeper, try transitioning to sleeping on your back. This can help alleviate pressure on your shoulder and promote better spinal alignment.
- Using Supportive Pillows: When sleeping on your back, use a pillow under your knees to maintain spinal alignment. You can also place a small pillow under your lower back for added support.
- Regular Stretching and Exercise: Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve shoulder mobility and reduce pain. Avoid pushing through pain and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure which exercises are appropriate.
- Applying Heat or Cold Therapy: Ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain, while heat can soothe stiff muscles. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Use heat for similar durations.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage pain and inflammation. Always follow the recommended dosage.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your shoulder pain persists despite trying these self-care measures, or if you experience severe pain, weakness, or limited range of motion, it's important to consult a healthcare professional. They can diagnose the underlying cause of your pain and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include physical therapy, injections, or in some cases, surgery.
By understanding the causes of shoulder pain when sleeping and implementing appropriate strategies, you can improve your sleep quality and find relief from discomfort. Remember to consult a healthcare professional if your pain is persistent or severe.
For more information visit www.kNOwPAIN.com or call 941-371-7171 today.
Author
Dr. William J. Cole, Jr.
Dr. William J. Cole, Jr. is one of only five physicians in the world who is dual board certified in Interventional Pain Management and Regenerative Medicine. He has a passion for assisting patients with Long Covid. He sees patients from around the world in his clinics in Sarasota, Florida and Venice, Florida. Dr. Cole is dedicated to the mantra to "have the body, heal the body - naturally."
Dr. Cole lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife Lily, and their two teenage children.
