Waking up with shoulder pain can be uncomfortable and even irritating at times. It often leaves you wondering, “What could I have possibly done” but in most cases, the fix is a lot easier than the pain makes it out to be. Something as simple as visiting your physical therapist or even sleeping in a different position can impact the way your body feels throughout the day.
Sleeping habits that can cause shoulder pain and how to fix them.
One of the most common sleeping habits than can cause immense shoulder pain is sleeping on your side. When doing so, most of your upper body weight is on one shoulder, which can bring stress and discomfort to the joint soon after. To fix this, try laying on your back, the most proven way to avoid shoulder pain after sleeping.
If you’re part of the crowd that can only fall asleep by sleeping on your side, there is a way to help ease or prevent shoulder pain without sacrificing your comfort, which would be to hug a pillow while sleeping. When doing so, sleep on the opposite side of your ailing shoulder. Doing this helps reduce stress in the shoulder joint, along with helping prevent your shoulder from slumping forward and causing further damage in your sleep.
Note: When sleeping on your side, place a pillow or rolled blanket on your backside to help you avoid rolling over in your sleep on the ailing joint, causing more pain and discomfort.
How physical therapy could help.
In the case that you are still experiencing shoulder discomfort after trying the sleeping techniques mentioned, physical therapy should be considered a treatment option. There are several treatments that a physical therapist could conduct to get you the help your body needs to get a pain-free night of sleep.
Pain Management
Your physical therapist will help you discover and avoid painful or discomforting movements, which will allow the shoulder to heal. Heat and ice are great conductors for dealing with pain management. Electrical stimulation can also be applied to help with pain management.
Range of motion exercises
Range of motion exercises may be prescribed by a physical therapist if you have a shoulder ailment that limits mobility to your shoulder or arm. These are active exercises conducted by the patient using their strength with no external help. These exercises improve overall muscular function around the shoulder joint, helping heal shoulder-related injuries.
Range of motion around your shoulder joint is a common finding with people suffering from shoulder pain. A physical therapist can work with you to help perform these exercises and help determine the cause of your shoulder pain.
Strengthening exercises
When consulting with your physical therapist, they can help discover which strengthening exercises will be right for you, depending on the condition of the injury. The most common is resistance training. Resistance training involves weights, resistance bands, and medicine balls to help challenge the joints and muscles.
Strengthening the muscles that support your shoulder will help keep your shoulder joint stable. Keeping these muscles strong can relieve shoulder pain and prevent further injury.
Physical therapists are experts at evaluating, treating, and managing different shoulder issues. If you have any pain or discomfort that hasn’t subsided, contact your physical therapist to help decide on a treatment for you.
