Shoulder Pain From Sleeping? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

Shoulder pain after sleeping could stem from an injury or underlying conditions like arthritis.
Image Credit: laflor/iStock/GettyImages

A sore or throbbing shoulder can make it tough to fall asleep or wake you up in the middle of the night. Especially if simply turning over doesn't solve the problem.

Advertisement

Sometimes nighttime shoulder pain just comes from sleeping in a wonky position, says Brian Lee, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, California, and an orthopedic consultant for the PGA Tour.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Other times, the culprit is a shoulder injury that's getting irritated from sleeping on your side.

"Side-sleeping can sometimes increase pressure on the [injured] tendon or joint, leading to increased pain and inflammation," explains Trong Nguyen, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and the medical director of the Total Shoulder Replacement Program at MemorialCare Joint Replacement at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Advertisement

Here's how to tell what might be causing your shoulder pain when sleeping and what you can do to feel better (and catch some pain-free zzzs).

1. Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Strains or tears "are a common problem as we age, and many patients with rotator cuff problems feel increased pain at night," Dr. Lee says.

Advertisement

Rotator cuff injuries can happen from repeatedly making the same shoulder movement (like in baseball, tennis or basketball, or from overhead tasks like carpentry or painting). They're more common in adults over 60, per the Mayo Clinic.

The pain feels like a dull ache. You might also notice that your arm feels weak during the day and have trouble doing tasks like reaching overhead or brushing your hair.

Advertisement

Fix It

Rest, ice and physical therapy exercises are often enough to heal mild rotator cuff injuries. Steroid injections can also manage the pain. More severe injuries might require surgery to fully heal, the Mayo Clinic says.

2. Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis, or inflammation of the cushioning pad around the shoulder joints, can cause similar symptoms to a rotator cuff injury, says Dr. Lee. In addition to pain when you're lying on the affected shoulder, the area might feel stiff or achy when you try to move it, especially when you make an overhead motion.

Anyone can get shoulder bursitis, but you're more prone if you play sports like football, softball or lacrosse. Painters, builders and carpenters are also at higher risk, notes the Cleveland Clinic.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Fix It

Rest and ice can do the trick for a mild case of bursitis.

If you're still having pain, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or corticosteroid injections, or in rare instances, surgery.

3. Dislocated Shoulder

The shoulder can become dislocated when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. It can cause intense pain, including when lying on it, as well as swelling or bruising.

You may not be able to move the affected area and it could appear deformed or out of place, per the Mayo Clinic. Some people also feel pain or numbness radiating down their arm.

Advertisement

Shoulder dislocations are often caused by a sudden blow. Serious falls or contact sports like football or hockey are common culprits.

Fix It

Seek medical attention if you think you have a dislocated shoulder. Your provider may be able to manually maneuver the arm bone back into the shoulder socket. You'll need to wear a splint for a few weeks afterwards to keep your shoulder from moving while it heals.

4. Separated Shoulder

Severe direct falls and injuries from contact sports can cause a shoulder separation, where the ligaments between the collarbone and shoulder blade are torn, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Advertisement

Separated shoulders cause intense pain around the top of the shoulder, and the pain might be worse when you're lying on the affected area. You might also notice a bump around the painful area.

Fix It

Most separated shoulders heal on their own within 12 weeks, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You should wear a sling to keep the area immobilized and may need physical therapy to build back your strength. Severe separations may require surgery.

5. Impingement Syndrome

Also called rotator cuff tendonitis, impingement syndrome is another injury that can cause your shoulder to hurt when you're lying on it, Dr. Nguyen says.

Advertisement

The symptoms can be similar to a rotator cuff tear: Pain in the front of the shoulder that gets worse when you raise your arm, along with weakness or stiffness.

More severe injuries can also make it harder to do everyday activities where you raise your arm, like grabbing or reaching something high up.

Fix It

Rest and ice will help your rotator cuff heal within several weeks to months, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your doctor might also recommend physical therapy to rebuild your shoulder strength and flexibility.

If these measures don't help, surgery may be needed.

6. Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can happen when the capsule of connective tissue that encloses the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting the shoulder joint's movement. It can cause shoulder stiffness and pain that worsens at night, Dr. Lee says.

Advertisement

Experts don't fully understand why some people get frozen shoulder. But it's more common in adults over 40, people who've had a rotator cuff injury or shoulder surgery and people with health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's disease or an over- or underactive thyroid, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fix It

Frozen shoulder often gets better on its own within 18 months. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen can reduce your discomfort, while mobility exercises or physical therapy can help improve your range of motion.

If your symptoms don't ease up, your doctor might recommend steroid injections or surgery.

7. Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage cushioning around the joints deteriorates, can affect any joint in the body, including the shoulder. It can cause aching and stiffness that tends to worsen over time, and may be more noticeable at night when you're lying on it, Dr. Lee says. Only one shoulder may be affected.

Shoulder osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear, so it's more common in older adults, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Fix It

Stretching exercises guided by a physical therapist can help you preserve your range of motion and manage stiffness. Resting the area, applying ice or heat and using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can also help, Johns Hopkins Medicine says.

More severe pain can also be managed with corticosteroid injections.

8. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. This can cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling, including in the shoulders.

While osteoarthritis might affect just one shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect both shoulders as well as other joints throughout the body.

Older adults, particularly women, are more prone to developing RA. Genetics, smoking and obesity can also increase a person's risk, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fix It

RA is a progressive condition that requires medications (like methotrexate) to slow the condition and prevent further joint damage, the CDC says. Activities like regular exercise, stretching or physical therapy can also be helpful.

How to Relieve Shoulder Pain When You're Trying to Sleep

Nighttime shoulder pain caused by an injury will ease up as the affected area heals. In the meantime, changing the way you sleep might make a difference.

"Most people find that sleeping in an upright or semi-upright position can alleviate some of the pain," Dr. Lee says. "This can be as simple as sleeping in a recliner, or using pillows or a wedge in your bed to support the torso."

Advertisement

Stretching before bed may also be helpful. University Hospitals recommends shrugging your shoulders up and down and rolling your shoulders in a backward motion. You can also try wall stretches, where you walk your fingers as high up the wall as you can to stretch your shoulder and chest area.

Always check with your doctor before starting a new stretching regimen to make sure the exercises won't worsen your shoulder injury or condition.

When to See a Doctor About Shoulder Pain When Sleeping

You should seek medical attention if you've sustained a shoulder injury or have severe or persistent pain that's interfering with your everyday activities (including sleeping), Dr. Nguyen says.

Your provider might order an X-ray or MRI to diagnose the problem and determine the best way to treat it.

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top