Have you ever tried to get to sleep only to find your sleep interrupted due to shoulder pain? What might be the reason for it? What are the options that you can do to fix it?

There are a variety of possible causes for shoulder pain that can occur when you’re asleep. This article will look at each one in greater detail , as well as the ways you can assist in getting a good night’s rest.

Do you know if your sleep position result in shoulder discomfort?

Certain positions, like sleeping on your back, could put extra strain to your shoulders. This is due to the fact that when you lie on your back the shoulder ends up being the primary bearer on the burden of your body.

One study of a small sample of patients who sought treatment for shoulder pain looked at the connection between sleep location in relation to shoulder pain. The study found that 67 percent of the Trusted Source of participants did not sleep on the same side where they experienced shoulder discomfort.

While your sleep position may cause shoulder pain, it’s certainly not the only factor. Other conditions, such as the ones below, may cause pain when trying to fall asleep. For each of these ailments sleep on the shoulder affected can cause more pain.

Rotator cuff injury

The rotator cuff of your shoulder is a set of tendons around the shoulder joint. It connects the top of your upper arm bone the shoulder blade, assisting to keep it within the socket.

Injuries to the rotator cuff occur when the muscles of the rotator cuff become inflamed , irritated and inflamed (known as tendinitis) or are even completely torn. It can be caused by:

A sprain, for example, being injured by falling from an outstretched hand or suddenly lifting something heavy

playing in sports that often require the shoulder joint, like tennis, baseball or rowing

often engage in activities that require lifting or the use of your arms like painting or construction

The symptoms can include:

an ache that isn’t as severe or deep within your shoulder

the pain gets worse as you engage in activities that require throwing, lifting as well as reaching your back

stiffness, or loss of motion

Sleep disturbances if you lie on the affected shoulder

The first treatment option could be more conservative. This could mean resting and icinging your shoulder that is affected. It is also possible to ease discomfort with prescription (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and aspirin.

Your physician may also suggest working with the help of a physical therapist. A physical therapist will assist you with exercises that will increase the strength and flexibility of your shoulder.

You’ll also need to perform regular exercises at home to ease the shoulder pain and improve the mobility.

In certain instances the doctor might give an injection of corticosteroid aid in reducing inflammation and pain. If you have injuries that are severe, or don’t respond to conventional treatment might necessitate surgery.

Bursitis of the shoulder

Bursae are small, swollen sacs that cushion the joint tissues. They are found throughout your body. Bursitis occurs when a bursa gets inflamed. The shoulder is among the most frequently affected areas for bursitis.

A common reason for shoulder bursitis is an injury that can affect the shoulder or results from repeated actions that overwork the joint of the shoulder. In certain cases however, the root cause is not known.

It is possible to identify the signs of shoulder pain may be:

Tenderness or pain in the shoulder area affected by the injury.

the pain gets worse as you the movement of the shoulder affected

discomfort occurs when pressure is placed on the area for example, when you’re lying on your back

stiffness of the shoulder in the affected area.

Redness and swelling

Initial treatment is typically more conservative. This could mean:

The shoulder is sat down, resting it.

using OTC anti-inflammatory medications to treat inflammation and pain.

exercising in physical therapy

The use of corticosteroid injections in a controlled manner can provide relief.

If the conservative methods are not working it is possible that you will require an operation to remove the bursa or eliminate the bursa affected.

Syndrome of shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition that occurs in the case that soft tissue surrounding your rotator cuff get caught or rub against nearby bone or tissue when you move your arm.

The friction or catching of soft tissue could result from:

Tenderness swelling around the tendons (tendinitis)

inflammation of the bursa (bursitis)

the presence of bone spurs which may develop in the course of aging

A bone found in the shoulder joint, known as the acromion. It’s curving or hooked, instead of being flat.

The signs and symptoms associated with shoulder impingement could be:

discomfort that’s located at the outer or top of your shoulder

discomfort that increases when moving your arm in particular when you lift it higher than your head

The pain can become more severe in the night, and disrupt your sleep, especially if you are prone to rolling onto your shoulder

an aching sensation in the shoulder area or arm

The initial treatment is likely to include relaxation, pain-relief, OTC anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as gentle exercises for the shoulder.

Corticosteroid injections can also be used to reduce swelling and pain. Surgery to expand the area around the rotator-cuff tendon may be required in certain instances.

Osteoarthritis of shoulder

Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when cartilage that cushions your bones, starts to degrade. It can affect joints throughout your body, including the shoulder.

Osteoarthritis in the shoulder is common with age. It may also occur due to injuries from the past which affected your shoulder, like an injury to the rotator-cuff, or a shoulder dislocated.

The signs of shoulder osteoarthritis be:

Pain that is initially more intense when you lift your shoulder, but it can also be experienced asleep or sitting at a desk.

stiffness, or loss of motion

clicking or grinding sounds that can be heard as you move your shoulder

Treatment may include the use of topical or oral pain relievers along with specific physical therapy exercises to treat shoulder arthritis.

Corticosteroid injections are also a great option to assist with inflammation. Surgery might be suggested in the event that nonsurgical methods fail to ease shoulder pain.

The frozen shoulder

A frozen shoulder is because the connective tissue inside the shoulder joint becomes thicker and can limit movement.

The exact cause of the cause of frozen shoulder is not known. The only thing we know is that the risk is higher when the shoulder is immobilized for long periods of time because of things such as recovery from surgery or injury. Diabetes-related conditions may have an impact on the risk of having this problem.

Acute symptoms like frozen shoulder manifest in three phases:

Freezing. It’s characterized by pain when moving and reduced mobility.

Frozen. It is painful, but the shoulder gets stiffer and it becomes difficult to move.

Thawing. Your range of motion starts to increase gradually.

If you suffer from pain due to the frozen shoulder area, you can be more severe in the evenings. It can cause sleep disruptions.

Therapy for frozen shoulder focuses on relieving pain as well as promoting flexibility. This can be achieved by using OTC pain relievers as well as physical therapy.

For more persistent cases, you may need injections of corticosteroid into the shoulder or shoulder manipulation surgery.

What’s the most effective way to sleep in case your shoulder hurts?

If you’re feeling pain when you lie at your back, a few of these suggestions could help you sleep more comfortably:

Avoid sleeping on the injured shoulder. Altering your position of sleep to either the other side, or towards your stomach or back could relieve pressure on an injured shoulder.

Utilize a pillow. We tend to change the positions we sleep in. If you’re worried about rolling on your shoulder pain Try placing your pillow in a position which will stop you from doing it.

Keep active. Regular exercise is a great way to boost the flow of blood and circulation. This can, in turn, assist the muscles and tendons in your shoulder recover faster after an injury. Also, doing gentle exercises or stretches for your shoulder can help ease the pain in your shoulder.

Know your limits. Beware of activities that can cause irritation to your shoulder.

Make use of OTC pain relief medications. Try using one OTC pain reliever like acetaminophen or Ibuprofen prior to going to bed.

Make sure you are practicing good sleep habits. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Switch off all televisions, computers, phones or other screens before getting to bed. Beware of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol after dinner.

Tips for prevention

There are actions you can take to ensure your shoulders are strong and healthy. They can also help keep you free of injury. Here are some tips:

Avoid repetitive movements whenever possible. The repetition of movements like throwing and lifting could put stress on your shoulder joint.

Pause for breaks. If you’re performing repetitive motions as a part of your job, or in a sport, ensure that you have regular breaks.

Exercise. Maintaining the muscles around a joint strong can to protect the joint from injuries. Make sure you stretch and warm up before you begin.

Make use of a wheelbarrow or dolly for heavier weights. This can ease the strain on your shoulders due to lifting or carrying heavy objects.

When do you need to visit Your Doctor

Consult your physician if you’re experiencing shoulder pain when you sleep or when you’re awake which includes:

abrupt or severe

Insistent, lasts longer than several weeks

disrupting your daily routine that can disrupt your day-to-day life, even disrupting your sleep

It is often accompanied with weakness or a loss of motion

that are a result of an injury

Bottom line

The pain you experience during sleep may be due to a variety of causes. The most frequent causes are rotator cuff injuries or bursitis. Other causes include osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis.

When you sleep on your side, you could put additional stress upon your shoulder leading to discomfort or pain. A shoulder that’s already injured or sore can cause pain to get worse.

If you’re experiencing pain in your shoulder in the night, you should alter your sleeping position so that you don’t rest directly onto your shoulders. Utilize pillows to stop yourself from rolling over onto your shoulder. OTC painkillers and regular sleep patterns can assist.

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that is disruptive or severe Be sure to visit your physician. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and suggest an appropriate treatment plan for you.