“How should I sleep with shoulder pain?”
I am a 23 year old male. I want to know how should I sleep with shoulder pain?
10 Answers
Sleeping with shoulder pain can be tricky. Don’t sleep on your stomach as it is bad for your neck. Side sleeping and back sleeping are good sleeping positions, and in these positions the elbows should stay below the level of your shoulders - so your upper arms aren’t raised forward or out to the sides any higher than 90 degrees. You may need to adjust the pillow under your neck so the weight of your head isn’t weighing down the injured shoulder and irritating it. Also if you are side lying with the injured shoulder up, you may need to rest that arm on another pillow to position it comfortably. If you are side lying with the injured shoulder down, resting the up arm on a pillow will reduce the body weight imposed into the injured shoulder. Let your discomfort be your guide so you don’t injure it any further. Sometimes you have to sleep sitting up instead.
I hope you get well soon.
I hope you get well soon.
Short answer: find a position that allows you to sleep period. Without sleep there is no healing. Most of these I have found over the years are a problem because the person sleeps with their arm under their pillow. This creates an overuse injury to a specific tension in the lower neck and shoulder.
on your back or opposite side
Sleeping on your back or on the other side opposite of the side with the shoulder pain should help you fall asleep. Wedge some pillows beside you, so you don’t roll onto the painful shoulder while you sleeping.
The only way to sleep on your side with shoulder pain is to get chiropractic treatments to reset your shoulder. Then rehab/ strengthen your shoulder. This will help your shoulder be stronger to offset the weight. Also getting right pillow helps as well.
The most important question is: How do I heal my shoulder and get rid of my pain in the most natural way? Regarding your sleep -- sleep on your back with a low pillow so you are not bending your neck forward or the new name, especially when standing or sitting is "flex neck" which can also add to your pain by nerve compression. Now, the "do nots" -- do not sleep with the painful shoulder down if you like to sleep on your side -- sleep with the other shoulder down AND do not sleep on your stomach (face down). NOW! Depending on why is your shoulder hurting -- accident, fall, sports injury, etc., find a good chiropractor, especially a sports chiropractor, upper cervical chiropractor, or Applied Kinesiology (AK) chiropractor and find the cause of your pain and the proper and natural way to help return your body to optimum health.
Good morning,
If you are having shoulder pain, avoid sleeping on the side of the shoulder pain. You can sleep on opposite side, side lying or on your back and have a small pillow under the arm of the shoulder pain.
If you are having shoulder pain, avoid sleeping on the side of the shoulder pain. You can sleep on opposite side, side lying or on your back and have a small pillow under the arm of the shoulder pain.
Sleeping on your back is the best position. The mattress most directly supports your spine & is the most neutral posture. Sleeping on your back helps evenly distribute your weight & decreases the formation of uncomfortable or unnatural curves in your spine. Some people find they’re more comfortable in this position with the help of a small pillow under their knees. And, of course, using a proper supportive pillow for your head & neck. Many people prefer to sleep on their side in the fetal position. In general, this leaves the frame improperly supported. With shoulder issues (and the most likely cause of your pain), sleeping on the side may cause pressure on the shoulder, aggravating the condition. It’s a good idea to uncover the cause of your shoulder pain & sleep on your back. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable, apply ice for 20 min to your shoulder before lying down. Or use a topical analgesic such as Biofreeze or Salonpas.
I recommend sleeping on your back if you have shoulder pain. Sleeping on your sides may aggravate your pain.
It all depends on the cause of the shoulder pain. Evaluation of the neck, upper back, and shoulder is a good idea to best determine the underlying cause.
