Shoulder pain is a common health condition that affects every individual. Several factors will cause shoulder pain. When the shoulder pain hits, injuries or medical conditions will be considered, but have you ever imagined that sleep position is one among them? Let’s explore the connection between shoulder pain and sleep position.
What is shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain refers to discomfort or pain in or around the shoulder joint, this is one of the complex joint pains in the body. This pain can be caused by injury, overuse, inflammation, or other medical conditions. The bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work together in shoulder joints. If there are any defects in these parts of the shoulder, it will cause shoulder joint pain. Shoulder pain may also last for a few days or weeks, in the chronic stage, it leads for a month or longer.
What are the symptoms of shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain is a common problem that can impact daily activities. The symptoms may vary depending on the cause, from mild discomfort to severe pain. These symptoms can affect shoulder movement, strength, and functionality. Some of the symptoms are:
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Sharp or shooting pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness in the shoulder
- Pain in or around the shoulder joints
If you are facing these kinds of symptoms, visit the best ortho hospital in Coimbatore, to get desired outcomes.
What are the causes of shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can result from various causes and some common causes of shoulder pain include:
Injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries:
Tears or inflammation near the shoulder joints cause shoulder pain.
- Dislocations:
If the bone (upper arm) slips out of the shoulder, it causes pain in the shoulder.
- Fractures:
The breakdown of the collarbone or upper arm bone in the shoulder causes pain.
Overuse and repetitive strain
Repeated motions, such as weightlifting or throwing, can cause strain in shoulder muscles and lead to pain in the shoulder.
Sleep position
Sleep position can also causes of shoulder pain. Side sleeping puts pressure on one side of the shoulder. Causes of neck and shoulder pain after sleeping in a poor position are common.
What are the sleep positions that cause shoulder pain?
Certain sleep positions cause shoulder pain, especially when pressure on the shoulder results in discomfort or leads to improper alignment of the body. Sleep position and shoulder pain are connected. Here are the most common sleep positions that cause shoulder pain.
Sleeping on your side
This position puts direct pressure on the shoulder joint and compresses the nerves in the area. When this repeats, it causes pain in the shoulder or stiffness. If you are a side sleeper, try to sleep on the opposite shoulder and place a pillow for support, which keeps your body aligned and avoids shoulder pain.
Sleeping with your arm overhead
Sleeping with your arm raised above your head can put stress on the shoulder muscles. This leads to an increased risk of causing an existing shoulder issue. To avoid this, keep your arms relaxed and closer to your body while sleeping.
Sleeping with an unsupportive pillow
Like sleep position, pillows also play an important role in causing shoulder pain. If your pillow is too high, too flat, or doesn’t provide support, it can lead to poor neck alignment and strain on the shoulder.
Curled fetal position
The sleep position resembles the way a baby curls up in the womb. In this sleep position, an individual sleeps on one side with their legs up toward their chest and their arms close to their body. This sleep position will provide a sense of comfort and a warm feel. This sleep position will be naturally followed by everyone, especially when feeling stressed. But this sleep position causes restricted blood flow, curling too tight can reduce circulation to the shoulder and arms, which leads to shoulder pain and causes discomfort in movements, which affects daily activities.
What are the best sleep positions that are suggested to avoid shoulder pain?
The best sleep positions to avoid shoulder pain are those that minimize pressure on the shoulder and promote body alignment. If these sleep positions are not effective, reach out to the best orthopedic doctor in Coimbatore. Sleep positions to avoid shoulder pain are,
Sleeping on your back: Sleeping on your back is one of the best sleep positions to avoid shoulder pain because it evenly distributes your body weight and reduces pressure on the shoulder. This sleep position helps to keep your spine and neck aligned, reducing the risk of pain in the upper body.
Side sleeping on the opposite shoulder: If there is existing shoulder pain, side sleeping on the opposite shoulder helps to avoid the pressure on the same side of the shoulder. By lying on the unaffected shoulder side, you can prevent strain on tendons. Use body pillows to support your upper arm and prevent the top arm from pulling on the shoulder to reset.
Semi-fetal position: This sleep position is shoulder-friendly and can prevent shoulder pain. By loosening the curl of your body, you reduce strain on the muscles, joints, and nerves around the shoulder area.
Rotating Positions: This is an effective strategy to avoid shoulder pain, as it helps prevent pressure on any single shoulder. Sleeping for an extended period on the same shoulder leads to continuous pressure, so rotating positions can distribute the pressure evenly.
Conclusion
Sleep position is important in causing and preventing pain in the shoulder. By changing simple sleep habits, we can avoid pain and discomfort in the shoulder and prevent further issues. Using the right mattress and pillow supports proper alignment in the body. Performing stretching and strengthening your shoulder can avoid pain. Applying a heat pad or ice pack before sleeping reduces inflammation.
