Side Sleep Shoulder Pain: Causes and Treatment Tips from One Body LDN, the Best Physiotherapist in London
For many people, side sleeping is a popular and comfortable sleeping posture. But, if you have shoulder pain when sleeping on your side, it might have a severe impact on your sleep quality and overall well-being. In this post, we’ll look at the reasons of side sleep shoulder pain and offer treatment advice from One Body LDN’s London physiotherapy professionals.
Side sleep shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, wrong pillow selection, overuse injuries, or traumatic injuries. The pain can range from minor to severe, and it might impact your shoulder joint, rotator cuff muscles, or surrounding tendons and ligaments. Here are some of the most prevalent reasons and treatments for side sleep shoulder discomfort.
Bad Posture
One of the most common reasons of side sleep shoulder pain is poor posture. Sleeping on your side with your shoulder bent forward or lifted places undue strain on your shoulder joint and rotator cuff muscles, which can cause pain and stiffness. Keep your shoulders relaxed and down, your elbows slightly bent, and your hands comfortably placed on a pillow in front of you to improve your posture. You could also consider stretching your shoulders and neck before going to bed to increase your flexibility and range of motion.
Improper Pillow Selection
Another major cause of side sleep shoulder pain is incorrect pillow selection. If your pillow is excessively high or too low, it might create misalignment of your neck and shoulders, resulting in pain and stiffness. Consider buying a pillow that is firm enough to keep your head and neck aligned but not so firm that it creates discomfort to ensure that your pillow is adequately supporting your head and neck. You can also consider utilising a side sleeper pillow, which can provide additional support for your shoulder and neck.
Injuries caused by overuse
Another typical reason of side sleep shoulder pain is overuse injuries, especially if you use your shoulder and arm regularly during the day. Overuse injuries can happen as a result of repetitive actions that produce wear and strain on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as lifting heavy things or working on a computer for long periods of time. Take regular rests and extend your shoulders, arms, and neck to avoid overuse problems. You could also try introducing lowimpact activities into your regular regimen, such as yoga or Pilates, to increase your flexibility and muscle strength.
Injuries Caused by Trauma
Side sleep shoulder discomfort can also be caused by traumatic injuries such as fractures or dislocations. These injuries can develop as a result of accidents or falls and necessitate rapid medical intervention. Get medical attention right away if you have sudden and severe shoulder discomfort, swelling, or loss of motion. Once you’ve been approved by a doctor, you can begin a rehabilitation programme with a physiotherapist to help you heal and avoid future injuries.
Treatment Suggestions from One Body LDN, London’s Top Physiotherapist
We understand how vital it is for you to have a good night’s sleep without enduring shoulder pain at One Body LDN. That is why we provide a variety of physiotherapy treatments to assist you in recovering from shoulder pain and avoiding future problems. Here are some therapy suggestions from our skilled London physiotherapists:
If you have side sleep shoulder pain, relax the afflicted shoulder and apply ice to minimise pain and swelling.
Exercises for physiotherapy: Our physiotherapists can teach you particular exercises to help strengthen your shoulder muscles, improve your posture, and avoid future problems.
Massage and joint mobilisation are examples of manual therapy treatments that can help relieve pain and stiffness, increase circulation, and restore range of motion.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that involves placing small needles into particular places on the body in order to relieve pain and promote healing.
Sports massage is a type of deep tissue massage that can assist relieve muscle tension, increase flexibility, and avoid injuries.
Finally, side sleep shoulder discomfort can be a bothersome and unpleasant condition that can interfere with your sleep quality and overall well-being. But, with the assistance of One Body LDN’s London physiotherapy professionals, you can treat side sleep shoulder pain and avoid future problems. You may have a pain-free and comfortable night’s sleep by correcting your posture, selecting the right pillow, avoiding overuse injuries, and obtaining expert help from a physiotherapist. Make an appointment with us now to take the first step towards a pain-free and healthy lifestyle.