How Should I Sleep with Shoulder Pain with Both Shoulders?

Shoulder pain can be a persistent and unwelcome companion, especially when it affects both shoulders. It not only hampers daily activities like reaching for objects or dressing but also wreaks havoc on our sleep. Many nights, you might find yourself tossing and turning, desperately seeking a position that offers relief. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation, making it nearly impossible to get comfortable. In this article, Fivali'll explore the various causes behind bilateral shoulder pain and, more importantly, offer practical tips on how to sleep better despite this discomfort so you can wake up feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.

Causes of Shoulder Pain During Sleep

Shoulder pain during sleep has various causes. Bad sleep posture is the first, long time lying on the side and shoulder pressure, muscle, joint tension, blocked blood circulation, and easy to trigger pain. An inadequate mattress is also common; a mattress that is too hard, lacks support, is too soft, or sinks excessively is not conducive to shoulder health. Shoulder diseases such as frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injury, and inflammation stimulate the surrounding tissues, and pain is more pronounced during sleep. There are also patients with cervical spondylosis, cervical spine lesions, and compression of nerves radiating to the shoulder, which will also trigger pain during sleep.

Say Goodbye to Shoulder Pain: A Guide to the Best Sleeping Position

Shoulder pain is a common problem that afflicts many people, and poor sleeping positions often exacerbate the pain. It is vital that you select the correct sleeping position if you want to have a comfortable night's sleep and say goodbye to shoulder pain.

 1. Supine

• This is the most spine-friendly sleeping position and helps maintain the natural curve of the spine.
• Putting a pillow under your knees will take pressure off your back and further relieve shoulder discomfort.
• Make sure the pillow is at the right height so that the head and neck are properly supported.

2. Lie on one's side

• Choose a pillow of the right height to keep your head, neck, and spine at the same level.
• Hold a pillow between your legs to keep your pelvis stable and reduce pressure on your spine.
• Avoid pressure on the painful shoulder and choose to sleep on your side towards the healthy side as much as possible.
• Alternate sides to avoid prolonged pressure on the same shoulder.

Pillow & Shoulder Support: Creating Your Own Sleep Oasis

When shoulder pain interferes with sleep, the proper use of pillows and a double shoulder brace is critical. Choosing the right pillow with the right height and material is key. It should be able to fit the curve of the neck, maintain the natural physiological cervical lordosis, and reduce the pressure on the shoulders. Memory foam pillows, for example, can deform according to the weight and shape of the head to provide good support. 

For shoulder support, a special shoulder support pad can play a big role. When sleeping on your side, place them underneath your shoulders to fill in the gaps between your shoulders and the mattress, allowing your shoulder muscles to relax and preventing pain from being exacerbated by the stress on your shoulders. When lying on your back, placing a thin towel roll under each shoulder also helps to distribute shoulder pressure. The reasonable use of pillows and a double shoulder brace for sleeping create comfortable conditions for sleep, gradually relieve shoulder pain, and improve sleep quality.

Relieve Shoulder Pain and Sleep Soundly Through the Night: The Nighttime Benefits of Shoulder Braces

Shoulder braces have a multifaceted role in relieving pain at night in the following ways:

1. Maintain Shoulder Stabilization: A shoulder brace can provide an external support structure for the shoulder, limiting excessive shoulder movement and abnormal joint displacement, keeping the shoulder joint in a relatively stable position, and reducing pain caused by joint friction and collision, etc. It is especially effective in relieving nighttime pain for patients with rotator cuff injuries and shoulder dislocation. 

2. Reduced Muscle Burden: During nighttime sleep, the shoulder muscles are supposed to be relaxed. However, if there is an injury or lesion in the shoulder, the muscles may be under constant tension from maintaining the shoulder position, aggravating the pain. A shoulder posture brace for sleeping can help relieve muscle fatigue and pain by sharing some of the weight of the shoulder and allowing the muscles to relax. 

3. Promote Blood Circulation: A proper shoulder brace can provide moderate pressure on the shoulder, promote local blood circulation, accelerate blood flow, help take away the inflammatory mediators and other substances that cause pain, and at the same time bring more nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues to promote repair, thus reducing pain.

Fivali is a brand that specializes in health care with a product line that covers a wide range of areas, including sports protection, rehabilitation and physical therapy. In response to the problem of shoulder pain during sleep, Fivali has launched specially designed shoulder sleep brace that aim to provide stabilizing support for the shoulder, reducing tossing and turning and stress during sleep, thus relieving shoulder pain.

Fivali Hot Sale Shoulder Brace:

✧ Double Shoulder Compression Sleeve

Soft and Comfortable Fabric Provides Stability During Physical Activity Helps Pain Relief and Injury Prevention Thin and Lightweight Design

✧ Double Shoulder Support Brace

Close-Fitting and Comfortable Detachable Compression Straps Secure Velcro Fastenings and Elastic Fabric Stability for Sports, Pain Relief, Injury Prevention

Shoulder Pain at Night No Longer Disturbs Sleep: A Variety of Techniques to Help You Sleep Soundly

In addition to wearing shoulder braces, there are a variety of other methods that can help with nighttime shoulder pain:

• Try Massage for Relaxation: A simple shoulder massage before bedtime can effectively relieve muscle tension and reduce pain. Lie flat on the bed, put your right hand on the left shoulder, use your thumb to gently press from the outside of the shoulder to the neck direction, the strength of a slightly sore feeling is appropriate, each part of the pressure for 3-5 seconds, repeat 10-15 times, and then change the other side. Massage can stimulate the nerve endings, promote blood circulation, and release endorphins, to achieve the effect of pain relief and to help better sleep state. 
• Nutrient Supplementation: Some nutrients can assist in relieving shoulder pain. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation. 100-200 mg per day, including oranges, lemons, etc. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and can be obtained from deep-sea fish such as salmon or by taking 1-2 grams of fish oil supplements. Calcium is key to bone health and can help relieve shoulder pain caused by osteoporosis. Drinking milk, eating soy products, and taking calcium supplements when necessary can help reduce shoulder pain at night.

In conclusion, shoulder pain in both shoulders can indeed disrupt sleep, but there are effective strategies to ease this discomfort. By maintaining proper sleep posture, choosing the right shoulder brace for sleeping and pillow, and incorporating gentle stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine, you can significantly improve your sleep quality. Don't forget to consult a healthcare professional if the pain persists or worsens. With patience and consistent effort, you'll be on your way to pain-free, restful nights.