How To Sleep With A Frozen Shoulder

Written by Michael Angelo PT

Shoulder pain is never fun, but a frozen shoulder is a seriously frustrating situation, especially when it comes to wanting night time relief.

There’s an end in sight.

Frozen Shoulder Pain Relief At Night

Looking for the best way to sleep with a frozen shoulder?

Best Sleeping Position For A Frozen Shoulder

Adopting a healthy sleeping position is key to most nighttime aches and pains.

For the best results, your spine should be aligned, and any stress or pressure should be taken off the frozen shoulder.

Sleep on your back — Sleeping on your back reduces pressure on the affected shoulder, offering relief when proper alignment is maintained. Supporting the arm with a pillow can further alleviate strain.

To stay sleeping on your back, you might consider a special neck pain pillow that has a cervical dip to gently support you and keep you on your back.

The Groove Original Pillow has been ergonomically designed to relieve neck pain and help back and side sleepers.

Side sleeping on the unaffected side — If you sleep on your unaffected shoulder or side, use a pillow to support the painful arm and prevent awkward positioning.

A pillow behind your back can also stop you from rolling onto the affected shoulder at night. You should also follow proper side sleeping techniques to avoid neck or back pain.

Best Pillow For A Frozen Shoulder

For a frozen shoulder, the best way to reduce pain is to sleep on the unaffected side while hugging a body pillow or using an adjustable pillow.

These keep your body in alignment while taking pressure off the shoulder.

The NHS in the UK also recommends a pillow behind your lower back while sitting (NHS Choices, 2019), or user a lower back pain pillow to raise your knees like the Groove X Pillow.

Comfort and pain relief vary from person to person, so an adjustable is a reliable strategy for finding bespoke relief.

Pre-Sleep Routine

Your pre-sleep routine plays a crucial role in managing frozen shoulder pain overnight.

Consider incorporating gentle stretching, heat or cold therapy, and creating a calming environment free from screens at least an hour before bedtime.

And as always, please consult your regular doctor before beginning any new stretching or exercise routine.

Extra Help for Sleeping with Shoulder Pain

Optimising your nighttime routine is helpful, but there are some additional methods you can use to relieve shoulder pain when sleeping.

Firstly, pain killers can be taken to reduce aches and pains.

However, you shouldn’t ever rely on these, over-the-counter pain medications are a short-term solution, and you should speak to your doctor if your pain lasts for more than three days while taking paracetamol (NHS Inform, 2024).

Other popular shoulder pain at night remedies include deep breathing and meditation techniques.

Unsure where to start? Apps, like Headspace, have guided meditations and tutorials for beginners.

When to Visit a Professional

If your shoulder pain persists or worsens despite at-home measures, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider.

Chronic shoulder pain can be indicative of underlying issues such as rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, or other conditions that require specialized treatment.

Your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist or specialist who can evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate interventions.

Last Thoughts

Hopefully, these sleeping with shoulder pain solutions have inspired you to make healthy changes.

Healthy sleeping positions and supporting aids can make a world of difference.

Start exploring your options now with the Groove Pillow, the best neck pain pillow out there which helps you stay sleeping on your back.

Or jump to our Trust Pilot reviews to see what others think.

About The Author

Michael Angelo, PT, DPT, CFMT is a Physical Therapist in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

He got his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts and is passionate about manual therapy and helping patients bridge the gap between recovery and return to their optimal activities.

He currently lives with his wonderful wife and three elderly dogs who all enjoy camping, hiking, and anything in the outdoors.

References

• Fang, X.-X., Zhai, M.-N., Zhu, M., He, C., Wang, H., Wang, J. and Zhang, Z.-J. (2023). Inflammation in pathogenesis of chronic pain: Foe and friend. Molecular Pain, 19, p.174480692311781-174480692311781. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/17448069231178176.
• ‌NHS Choices (2019). Overview - Shoulder pain. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/.
• NHS Inform (2024). Paracetamol. [online] Nhsinform.scot. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-medicine/paracetamol/.

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