Why Do My Shoulders Hurt When I Wake Up?

Are you one of the many people who experience shoulder pain in the morning that goes away during the day, only to return the morning after? If so, you’re not alone. Many individuals suffer from shoulder-related ailments which can be debilitating and affect daily activities. 

At World Frozen Shoulder Clinic, we specialize in finding relief for shoulder conditions such as Frozen Shoulder, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Bursitis and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis.

Shoulder pain from sleeping has several causes. There are also a number of effective remedies.This article discusses those causes, how to treat shoulder pain from sleeping, and how to prevent it.

Sleep Position: A Common Culprit

If you have sometimes thought, “My shoulders hurt when I wake up,” and have found dressing, washing, or brushing your hair and teeth in the morning are cumbersome due to said shoulder pain, it can be attributed to several causes:

• The normal slowing of blood flow at night can increase shoulder pain and kidney function. Water filtration is affected and blood flows more slowly, often causing water retention, which results in a build-up of internal pressure. Inflammation worsens due to these night-time processes, leading to more inflammation in the pressurized joint and causing an uptick in pain.

• Your sleeping position is a likely cause. If you sleep on your side, it is possible you sleep on your shoulder, which may see pinching of the shoulder bursae or rotator cuff tendons occurring. The pain might not be immediately apparent, but if pinching does occur, an inflammatory response is likely and you may wake up with shoulder pain radiating down one arm.

On the upside, you will likely notice a reduction in the ache in 48 hours. But if it persists, you should seek advice from a specialist in pain management.

Sleeping Positions

If you are experiencing shoulder pain or a possible frozen shoulder, it is advisable not to sleep on your stomach. This draws the shoulders into a position that is likely to create further injury. Being willing to try different sleeping positions can help avoid muscle tension or pressure that may result from sleeping in one position all the time.

You could try lying in one of these positions:

• On the side not affected by the pain, with your head lifted on a pillow.

• On the back with arms at your sides. This position puts less pressure on shoulder joints and muscles, the arms, neck, and shoulder. It assists in aligning the spine and allowing the body to relax and heal itself during sleep.

• On your back with the arms either stretched above the head or under the head. It should be noted this position is a challenge for many people. But it puts minimal pressure on the muscles, tendons, and fibers in the aching shoulder as long as the head is not turned to one side – this stretches the neck in a manner that may cause further problems in the long term. A pillow placed between the knees may make the position more comfortable.

Supporting Pillows

Extra pillows can help alleviate shoulder pain associated with a frozen shoulder. You should consider your options and decide what works best for you, as everyone has different preferences regarding the firmness of the mattress, the thickness of pillows, and sleeping positions.

•  A good neck pillow that provides support is a great investment. Alignment of the head, neck, and spine, helps eliminate neck tension and stress in the aching shoulder.
•  When sleeping on your back with your arms alongside, you may opt to place pillows at your side to support the elbows and shoulders and prevent you from rolling over onto your stomach in your sleep.
• When sleeping on your side, a pillow under the arm can support the frozen shoulder, averting the likelihood of it moving into an uncomfortable position as you sleep.
• A body pillow can also be used to support the injured shoulder and it can be placed between the knees for extra support.

What Medical Conditions Cause Shoulder Pain?

• Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis presents with significant tenderness and restricts the range of motion in the shoulder as connective tissue in the shoulder capsule contracts and begins to form scar tissue. This scarring eventually hinders shoulder bone movement in the socket and is usually accompanied by swelling and stiffness which interferes with sleep. Without proper medical attention, it is possible for the condition to endure and even worsen – sometimes it can last years.

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendonitis or impingement syndrome is fairly common and stems from injury and overuse of the tendons. These terms refer to the swelling of tissues connecting muscle and bone in the shoulder. This overuse injury is principally experienced by athletes whose arms are lifted over their heads in sports such as swimming, tennis, or baseball, but it can suddenly affect anyone.

• Pinched Nerve in the Shoulder

A pinched nerve may be the result of a nerve from the neck being impinged on. A pinched nerve generally causes neck pain, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness.

• Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis in the shoulder generally affects the ball-and-socket joint. The joint becomes painful and stiff if inflamed and when cartilage on the surface disintegrates, it begins to attack the deeper layers, prompting the occurrence of arthritis.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

Apart from choosing to rest the shoulder during the day to ease inflammation, there are a couple of different methods to help with pain in the shoulder. You should ensure you get plenty of exercise since the stimulation of blood flow and circulation assists in healing. Stretching gently before bed can often help relax the tight muscles and a heating pad on the shoulder may also offer some relief.

Anti-inflammatories or over-the-counter pain medication may aid you, but it is crucial to avoid accidentally turning over onto the affected shoulder at night as this can cause pain.

Recommended treatments for frozen shoulder may include steroid injections, physical therapy, or even surgery, whilst treatments your doctor may suggest to fend off the effects of shoulder arthritis include pain control, steroid injections, and various lifestyle changes.

To treat impingement syndrome, it is best to avoid activities that exacerbate the problem and to apply cold packs to the shoulder. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed. 

Frozen shoulder can be a debilitating condition, and until recently, treatment options were limited to physical therapy, medication, cortisone injections, surgery, or some combination of the above. However, these standard treatments often require up to nine months of intensive rehabilitation with no guarantee of success. Fortunately, Dr. Allan Gary Oolo-Austin has pioneered a groundbreaking procedure for frozen shoulder called the Manual Capsular Dissection (MCD). This non-surgical technique has an incredible 98% clinical success rate in restoring range of motion and functionality to the shoulder.

The MCD procedure involves isolating the adhesive tissue inside and outside the shoulder capsule and separating it using specific patient movements and mobilization procedures. This non-invasive procedure is completed in a single visit and does not involve cutting into the shoulder. It is conducted with local anesthetics and analgesics to maintain muscle tonicity and ensure no harm to the joint or surrounding tissues. The procedure manually dissects the fibrotic scar tissue or adhesions to restore mobility and relieve nerve pain.

Shoulder Treatments at World Frozen Shoulder Clinic

The MCD procedure is the first of its kind and has been highly successful. At the World Frozen Shoulder Clinic, we offer this revolutionary treatment to patients seeking relief from frozen shoulder. 

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and receive medical advice from our expert team.

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