Reasons for Shoulder Pain in the Morning
One-sided shoulder pain often happens when you sleep in positions that put too much pressure on your shoulder. Two common positions like this are:
- Sleeping on One Side
When you sleep on your side, all the weight of your upper body rests on your shoulder joint. This puts pressure on the joint and the cushioning sacs around it, triggering inflammation and pain. - Arm Above the Head
Sleeping with your arm up can also cause shoulder pain in the morning. When your arm is in this position for a long time, it can pinch the tendons and sacs in your shoulder, causing discomfort.
How Do I Know If My Shoulder Pain Is Sleep-related?
If your shoulder feels stiff and achy only in the morning, it’s likely because of how you sleep. You might also notice:
- A dull ache in your shoulder that gets worse when you move it
- Trouble moving your arm or rotating your shoulder
- Sharp pain when you lift your arm
- Weakness in your shoulder, arm, or hand
- Difficulty getting dressed, like putting on a shirt
What Else Does One-Sided Shoulder Pain Indicate?
If your shoulder still hurts in the morning, even after trying different sleep positions and stretches for a week or two, it could mean there’s an underlying problem with your shoulder.
For instance, sleeping on your side a lot might cause inflammation in your shoulder or worsen an existing injury. If changes in your sleep habits and stretching don’t help, it’s best to check it out. This morning’s pain might be a sign of:
- Rotator cuff injury
- Shoulder arthritis
- Biceps tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- SLAP cartilage tear
- Shoulder impingement
- Referred neck pain.
Tips to Avoid Morning Shoulder Pain
It can be hard to switch up how you sleep once you’re snoozing, but it’s worth a try to ease your shoulder pain. Following are some tips:
- Keep Your Arm Down
Sleeping with your arm up near your head can cause shoulder pain. Try to keep your elbow below your shoulder when you sleep. - Get Off Your Arm
Sleeping on your side with your arm underneath you can squish your shoulder joint and lead to pain. Try shifting your body a bit to free your arm from being squished. - Change Your Pillow
If your pillow is too thick or thin, it can make your shoulder uncomfortable. Find one that comforts your head and neck without putting too much pressure on your shoulder. - Change Your Mattress
Your mattress matters, too. You might sink in too much if it’s too soft and get stuck in an awkward position. If it’s too firm, it could put too much pressure on your shoulder. - Medical Help
If none of the above methods work out, it’s time to seek medical assistance. If you see a shoulder specialist for your pain, they will make a plan to fix what’s causing it. This might involve treatments like:
- Doing special exercises to make your shoulder stronger and more flexible
- Taking medicine to ease the pain and swelling
- Getting shots of medicine directly into your shoulder
- Changing what you do during the day to avoid making your shoulder hurt more
- Sometimes, having surgery to fix the problem for good.
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Final Thought
Do you struggle to get out of bed every morning and waste time wondering, “Why does my shoulder hurt when I wake up?” Try changing your sleep position. If it doesn’t work, visit Dr. Cusick at Michael C. Cusick, M.D.
Our shoulder specialist holds expertise in fractures/trauma, arthroscopy, and reconstruction, focusing on total joint replacement for the shoulder and elbow. Dial (713) 794-3599 for evaluation and treatment.
