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Can You Get Shoulder Pain From Sleeping On Your Side?
Do you often wake up only to know that your shoulder hurts after sleeping? Well! Many people complain of experiencing extreme shoulder pain after sleeping, especially those who prefer side sleeping. Most adults need a good sleep of 7- 9 hours. When your shoulder hurts at night while sleeping, it means there is too much pressure on one side for a long period of time. Over time, this can lead to continuous shoulder joint pain at night, causing morning stiffness and lingering discomfort.
Can Sleeping On the Side Cause Shoulder Pain?
Yes! Side sleeping can cause shoulder pain as you put additional stress on your shoulder during the night. The reason is that when you sleep on your side, all the pressure from your Torso is put on your shoulder. A study of 87 patients to determine preferred sleeping position, 67% of the people who slept on one side experienced shoulder pain.
Over time, this excessive pressure on the shoulder compresses the muscles and tendons around your shoulder, causing shoulder pain after sleeping, or can even cause inflammation.
Why Your Shoulder Hurts After Sleeping On One Side?
There could be many possible reasons why your shoulder hurts after sleeping. However, some of the highlighted reasons can be:
Too Much Pressure on Rotator Cuff:
It is a group of muscles and tendons that keep your shoulder stable. Generally, when you sleep on your side, this area gets compressed. Over time, it reduces blood flow, causing pain or numbness in the shoulder.
Poor Quality Mattress:
A mattress that is too hard or too soft can cause misalignment in the shoulder. It happens when the mattress sinks too much, putting most of the pressure on your body's shoulders, causing a shoulder ache after sleeping.
Inappropriate Pillow Height:
A pillow too high or too low puts your neck and shoulders in an unnatural position. Eventually, this angle causes strain on the shoulder muscles.
Nerve Compression:
Sleeping in one position for a prolonged period can lead to nerve compression that travels through your shoulder and neck, causing extreme shoulder joint pain at night.
Are There Any Shoulder Conditions Linked to Side Sleeping Shoulder Pain?
Yes! Continuous side sleeping shoulder pain can also be caused by various underlying medical conditions that can exacerbate the pain. Some of the main conditions include:
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Shoulder Bursitis:
Inflammation of the Bursae. It is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint. Shoulder bursitis occurs when the bursae of the shoulder become irritated and give rise to inflammation. Some of the major symptoms of shoulder bursitis include: swelling, redness, stiffness in the shoulder, and worsening as you move the shoulder during side sleeping.
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Rotator Cuff Injury:
Injury to the rotator cuff usually happens when the tendons of the rotator cuff become inflamed and irritated (referred to as tendinitis) or even torn partially or completely. Side sleeping adds more to the rotator cuff injury symptoms that generally include:
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Consistent shoulder ache after sleeping.
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Feeling pain while lifting the arm.
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Stiffness or loss of range of motion
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Excessive pain while rotating the shoulder.
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Osteoarthritis:
Shoulder osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder, which is designed to cushion the bones, wears down and breaks down. Shoulder osteoarthritis can occur with age due to the natural aging process, but it can also develop from pre-existing or former trauma. Under this condition, some people often hear grinding or clicking sounds within the shoulder.
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Frozen Shoulder:
When your shoulder remains in an awkward position or experiences limited movement, it can cause adhesive capsulitis, which is another name for frozen shoulder. It usually arises when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes thick and tight, leading to stiffness and pain.
How To Prevent Shoulder Pain During Side Sleeping?
From incorrect body posture to underlying medical conditions, there can be many reasons why you experience shoulder pain after sleeping. However, there are also some effective ways to prevent shoulder ache after sleeping, if it happens every morning you wake up. Some of the treatments can be:
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Choose The Right Mattress
Go for medium-firm mattresses. This firmness provides adequate support to your shoulders and hips evenly. Choose between memory foam and latex, as they contour to your body. Don't choose soft mattresses that let your body sink unevenly.
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Adjust Sleeping Position
If you only prefer side sleeping, try to change sides to reduce pressure on one side. You can also place a small pillow beneath your upper arm to avoid compression.
Tip: Choose a pillow that completely fills the gap between your head and the mattress to maintain a neutral spine alignment.
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Use a Shoulder Relief System
Manufacturers now offer a complete shoulder relief system that includes a 3-part pillow design (wedge, body, and insert pillow). It aligns your spine in the right way and reduces pressure from your shoulders during side sleeping.
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Perform Shoulder Exercise
Stretching your body before going to bed can reduce shoulder tension and improve blood flow. Just perform basic movements like shoulder rolls, cross-body stretches, etc.
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Use Heat and Ice Packs
A simple home remedy is to apply heat and an ice pack to the affected area. If you are suffering from inflammation or swelling, use an ice pack to reduce swelling. However, for shoulder arthritis or osteoarthritis, you can use a heating pad to relax stiff joints.
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Consult The Doctor
Even after trying all these treatments, if your shoulder hurts at night continuously for weeks or months, it's time to seek medical advice.
Conclusion
So, if you experience continuous shoulder pain after sleeping, maybe it's your body’s way of saying something needs to be corrected. Although side sleeping shoulder pain is common, it can lead to long-term issues like joint stiffness, muscle imbalance, or even chronic inflammation if not taken care of. Poor body posture, unsupportive bedding, or other shoulder-related conditions can all contribute to shoulder joint pain at night.
From your side, you just need to invest in proper support and try to adjust your sleeping position if you are experiencing continuous shoulder pain. If nothing works, consult a doctor, follow the proper procedure, and who knows, after a few adjustments, you will finally wake up free from any discomfort or shoulder ache after sleeping.
Dealing with excessive shoulder pain every night you sleep? Choose the MedCline Shoulder Relief System and get rid of constant shoulder discomfort. Our product is specially designed to reduce pressure, support natural alignment, and promote pain-free sleep. Experience deep sleep, utmost comfort, and healthier shoulders every morning with Medcline’s patented shoulder relief system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is shoulder pain after sleeping more common inside sleepers?
Because when you sleep on one side, an excessive amount of pressure is put on the shoulder that can compress the shoulder tendons and nerves. This strain results in shoulder discomfort and stiffness, and inflammation of the side sleeping shoulder, which makes your shoulder hurt at night.
2. Why does my shoulder ache after sleeping every morning?
Several factors can be attributed to the causes of your shoulder pain upon waking up; these include poor sleep posture, hard sleeping beds, and compression of your nerves. The problems may result in unremitting shoulder joint pain during the night and morning.
3. How to minimize shoulder pain after sleeping on one side?
In order to minimize the occurrence of shoulder aches after sleeping, change sides often, use a supportive pillow, and stretch your shoulders before going to sleep. These activities ensure that the pressure does not build up and alleviate the pain in the shoulder joints at night.
4. Why does my shoulder joint pain at night when I sleep on my side seem to get worse?
Shoulder joint pain felt at night can be worse when sleeping on your side, as it compresses muscles and/ or tendons. Repeated compression over time increases shoulder pain when side sleeping, limits motion, and increases shoulder joint pain once you wake up.
5. What are some good things to try if my shoulder hurts at night consistently?
If your shoulder hurts at night frequently, try heat or ice packs; adjust the height of your pillow, and sleep on a medium-firm mattress. These remedies might help alleviate shoulder pain after sleeping and enhance relaxation.
