Are you struggling to sleep because of shoulder pain? If so, know that every night many others experience the same issue. As a result of this struggle, the solution for sleeping without shoulder pain is highly sought after.

So why is it that the shoulder can hurt more at night when trying to sleep…even when “not” doing anything? Well…sleep isn’t nothing. Even though you may not be reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling anything, the pressure of sleeping on a sore shoulder can be disruptive to sleep. I can hear the WHY being asked. The reason is position and pressure.

Most people have a preference for a sleeping position. When this position is lying on the same arm that is sore/painful, pain sleeping may be the result. You see, shoulders that are already sore do not like to be slept on. The pressure and/or position of the arm when lying on your side is too much. When lying on one’s side, the blood flow to that shoulder is reduced. As a result, the time for rest and healing (sleep) becomes disrupted and the cycle continues.

For some though, even lying on the opposite side can be problematic. Here again pressure is the culprit. When lying on the opposite side of the painful shoulder, often that arm will fall in front/across the body. In this position the shoulder joint is compressed. Ultimately the pressure can be too much for sore shoulders.

So, I can’t lay on either side without waking in pain, what can I do?

There are a couple of options to try though it may take a few days to get comfortable.

• Sleep on the opposite shoulder while placing a pillow under the painful shoulder. This will open the shoulder joint up reducing the compression. For many this reduction in pressure is enough to sleep better.
• Try sleeping on your back. Many people will say that is not possible, but by adjusting your pillows to help find comfort sleep will find you.
• If you must lay on the painful side try rolling a quarter turn back. This will put the pressure more on the shoulder blade as opposed to the shoulder joint. For some the reduction in pressure will be enough to get comfortable.

Modifying a person’s sleep position is never easy. That said, if the pain is keeping you up at night then the impetus for change just might appear. Chances are if the shoulder is waking you at night it is also bothersome during the day. Assuming as much, a consultation with a muscle and joint specialist is probably a good idea. Allow them to help troubleshoot the issues and guide you back to living and sleeping better without shoulder pain.

Got questions?

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