Sleeping with shoulder pain or experiencing a shoulder pain at night can be extremely difficult and disturbing. There may be considerable discomfort while lying on the side. Sharp pain may also occur while turning or rolling over and finding a comfortable sleeping position may become tricky.


People with shoulder injuries or strain often complain of poor sleep and this can only aggravate the discomfort while also delaying healing.

Shoulder pain usually occurs due to injury to the muscles, ligaments, joints or tendons of the shoulder joint. The cause of shoulder pain can vary from cases to case.


Mild cases of pain may occur due to general wear and tear or due to excessive use of the shoulder joint. Many people also experience shoulder pain from sleeping on one side continuously. Work related activities or sports in which repetitive movement of the shoulder joint is involved can also cause damage. Arthritis occurs when there is loss of cartilage between the joints and due to narrowing of the joints. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, the sacs present between the tendon and bone. These sacs are filled with fluid and enable smooth movements of the joint. A fracture also leads to shoulder pain. Some individuals suffer from frozen shoulder which occurs when there is stiffening of the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the shoulder. This usually occurs when the individual discontinues use of the joint due to pain and discomfort. Another cause of shoulder pain is dislocation of the joint.

In order to relieve shoulder pain at night, it is important to treat the cause of the problem. Therefore getting an early diagnosis done and receiving appropriate treatment is essential. In most cases, doctors prescribe pain relieving medication to alleviate the discomfort. This also enables the individual to get proper rest and sleep. Treatment for shoulder pain involves various other options. Exercises that focus on the shoulder and rotator cuff are beneficial in improving mobility of the area. Physical therapy is greatly helpful in improving strength of the shoulder and also in speeding up recovery. Such therapy consists of different, simple exercises done under the supervision of a therapist. Once the individual becomes accustomed to the exercises, he can also perform them at home. Shoulder pain from sleeping on the side can also be alleviated by applying hot or cold compresses. Ice packs are used in case of recent injuries and help to reduce swelling in the area. Heat packs are used mainly to improve blood flow and help to relax the tissues.

Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief

Shoulder pain due to wrong sleeping position is not uncommon and so it is important to sleep in the correct position in order to reduce pain and also to encourage proper healing. Lying down itself can cause worsening of the pain due to lack of mobility. This can cause the inflammation to increase. The pressure on the shoulders also increases in this position and sharp pains and stiffness may be experienced upon waking up in the morning. Another reason for shoulder pain in a sleeping position is reduced blood flow. Good blood flow to the affected area is necessary for healing. When the blood flow is restricted, the area does not receive adequate oxygen and this can only aggravate the discomfort.

Sleeping in the right position is necessary for neck and shoulder pain relief. To take the pressure of the neck and shoulder while sleeping, it is advisable to stack two pillows so that the head remains slightly higher than the body. While lying on the back, using one pillow is usually effective in supporting the head and neck. But while sleeping on the side, two pillows are better as this prevents the neck from tilting. It is also a good idea to place another pillow, leaving a gap of about 6 inches in between. This space enables you to rest the affected arm and shoulder without exerting pressure on the surrounding nerves and muscles. The single pillow will remain under the ribcage and the neck and head will be supported by the two stacked pillows. It is advisable to position the arm so that the shoulder blade lies on the bed rather than the actual shoulder. This will prevent any pinching of the nerves or exertion of pressure on the rotator cuff. It is important to avoid sleeping with the arm above the head as this can cause the joint to get locked.

Choosing the right pillow for neck and shoulder pain is also imperative. There are some special pillows available which enable proper alignment of the body while slightly raising the spine, shoulder and neck. This allows for proper healing of the shoulder joint. There are also magnetic mattresses which are known to encourage healing. Using an incorrect pillow can also sometimes be the cause of shoulder or neck pain. A pillow can either serve to improve the posture and enable quicker healing or it can worsen existing injuries and even lead to further complications.