Sleeping on your side can cause many issues in the shoulder. Hand In Hand OT can help find the best treatment plan for your shoulder complications.Sleeping on your side can keep your head in an uncomfortable position for hours at a time, causing neck pain when you awaken. It also pushes the upper arm bone away from the body, decreasing circulation to that area which may cause it to go numb. Finally, if one of your shoulders is higher than the other (usually because of a tight pectoral muscle) sleeping on that side can cause shoulder pain.
Sleeping on your back, with a standard pillow between your knees, often helps alleviate the pains associated with sleeping on your side. However, if you are still experiencing shoulder issues after trying this it may be beneficial to see a shoulder pain doctor. While many everyday activities may cause shoulder pain, a stiff neck caused by poor posture can also lead to shoulder pain. If you have been experiencing a stiff neck and a lack of mobility it may be time for a visit with your shoulder pain doctor to see if there is anything that can be done about this discomfort.
Risks:
In some cases sleeping on your side can cause more damage than it resolves. Sleeping on your side can prevent a full night's rest if you are waking up frequently because of pain. This, in turn, may lead to feelings of irritability during the day and affect the quality of one's work performance. Many people who do not sleep well at night tend to feel tired and run-down throughout the day, which may cause the individual to feel as if they are unable to complete their daily activities.
Remedies:
If you continue to sleep on your side and experience soreness, it may be beneficial to consider purchasing a body pillow. A body pillow can help keep your back straight while you sleep, which will often alleviate shoulder pain. The pillow can then be tucked between your legs to keep them separated, reducing pressure on your upper thighs. This alleviates the stress placed on the lower back and gives you a full night's rest as it can be difficult to sleep properly when you are not resting comfortably.
If you do still experience shoulder pain after trying to alleviate this discomfort by sleeping differently or using a body pillow, it may be beneficial to consult with a shoulder pain doctor. One side sleeping may cause serious damage to the muscles that support your shoulder depending on how much you do it and if your shoulders are at different levels. It could also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as arthritis or bursitis.
This condition causes pain to patients that affects patient’s bodies everyday of their life. We can help create a treatment plan that is specialized just for you. Call Hand and Hand OT today to get started!