You join tens of thousands of Greater Vancouver residents who report disrupted sleep patterns. However, your issue is not (at least not directly) related to anxiety or stress, too much screen time, or noisy neighbors. Instead, your slumber is being disrupted by shoulder pain that is felt when you sleep on your preferred side. As a result, you have come online to search “why does my shoulder hurt when I sleep on it” and arrived at Vancouver and Burnaby BC’s top physiotherapy clinic. Keep reading!
Reasons for Why Your Shoulder Hurts Whenever You Sleep on It
Musculoskeletal Causes of Shoulder Pain While Sleeping
The musculoskeletal shoulder pain that an individual feels when sleeping on their side is primarily caused by compression of inflamed structures, such as the rotator cuff or bursa. Common causes include rotator cuff tears (
view here), bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, and frozen shoulder (
view more). You may not feel the pain and discomfort outside of the bedroom because the issue is exacerbated by reduced blood flow that accompanies sleep and nighttime inflammation. However, if left untreated, all of these musculoskeletal issues will likely manifest as shoulder pain later on during exercise, at work, or when doing any daily activity where upper torso movement is involved. It is therefore important to r
eceive an assessment from a physiotherapist to identify and treat the injury / malfunction to ensure a better sleep today, and to prevent other life-disrupting issues in the near future.
Should You Even Sleep on Your Side?
Yes, side sleeping is considered one of the healthiest and most common positions for adults. It is highly recommended for reducing snoring, improving breathing, mitigating acid reflux, and protecting musculoskeletal function, including spinal alignment. But yes, as per today;s discussion, it can cause shoulder pain which is why working with a physiotherapist is important. Beyond regular physio, consider switching to a medium-firm mattress (as applicable) and a supportive, thick pillow for your neck. Hugging a body pillow can keep the top shoulder from collapsing forward, while placing a pillow between your knees to align hips is also advised. And until you no longer feel shoulder pain and discomfort, sleep on the unaffected side.
How Physiotherapy Will Help
Treatment of shoulder pain related to musculoskeletal issues – experienced when sleeping or otherwise – is a speciality at our Burnaby BC physiotherapy clinic. We are staffed with registered massage therapists, TCM acupuncturists / IMS specialists, chiropractors, and kinesiologists who can alleviate and prevent shoulder pain.
Enjoy a better night’s rest from here on in after receiving treatment at our Burnaby BC physiotherapy clinic. Schedule assessment via your preferred form of contact below.
(Burnaby and Vancouver residents)
