Frozen Shoulder Sleeping Positions & Pain Management

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Learn how to get a good night’s sleep while dealing with shoulder issues & discomfort
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When you’re dealing with a frozen shoulder, it can make even the most basic of tasks difficult: scratching your back, reaching for something up high, and yes, even sleeping. Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of your daily life, and along with the difficulties of a frozen shoulder, you don’t want to spend the night tossing and turning. Fortunately, there are a few sleeping positions that are much more comfortable that you can try out when snoozing with shoulder pain. Keep reading to learn sleep tips from the experts, including the best positions to sleep in and how to manage pain before bed.

Things You Should Know

  • To side sleep, sleep on your unaffected arm while hugging a pillow with your frozen shoulder.
  • To sleep on your back, slide a pillow underneath your affected arm and rest your hand on your stomach.
  • Take OTC pain medication and use hot and cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling before you go to sleep.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Best Sleeping Positions

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    Sleeping on your frozen shoulder at night can make it more painful, and it’s probably not very comfortable to begin with, either. If you typically sleep on your side, switch to the side with the arm that isn’t hurting. [1]
    • If you’re dealing with a frozen shoulder, sleeping on your stomach isn’t recommended. Try sleeping on your side or on your back until your shoulder is healed.
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    To keep your arm immobilized while you sleep, grab a pillow and hug it with your frozen shoulder arm. This will support your shoulder as you sleep and keep it in one spot. [2]
    • As you snooze, make sure you’re using a supportive, cushioned pillow for your head. This will keep your upper body supported as you find the right position to sleep in with a frozen shoulder.
    • For extra support, try hugging a body pillow . Tuck it in between your knees to keep your spine straight and your neck supported.
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    Tuck a pillow underneath your affected arm, then let your hand rest over your stomach. This will keep your arm slightly elevated and also hold it in one spot while you snooze. [3]
    • Doctors also recommend sleeping with your arms above your head to help elongate and stretch the shoulder muscles as you sleep. However, this can be a tough position to get comfortable in, so not many people choose to do this.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Minimizing Pain & Discomfort

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    Over-the-counter pain relievers, like Tylenol, ibuprofen, and Advil can help take some of the pain away. About 1 hour before you go to bed, take a pain reliever, following the dosage instructions on the bottle. [4]
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    Alternating between hot and cold will help numb the pain and also promote healing. Use ice packs for about 20 minutes at a time, then switch to a warm washcloth or heating pad. [5]
    • Try using a cold pack and then a hot pack right before bed so you can fall asleep easier.
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    Specific stretches can help heal a frozen shoulder and get you to sleep easier. If you haven’t been to a physical therapist yet, try exercises like: [6]
    • Pendulum stretch: Lean over slightly, letting your affected arm hang loose. Swing your arm in a small circle, doing 10 revolutions each direction. Do this exercise once a day.
    • Towel stretch: Grab a 3 ft (0.91 m) long towel and hold it with both hands behind your back. Slowly pull your good arm up your back, using the motion to stretch your affected arm. Try this exercise 10 to 20 times per day.
    • Cross-body reach: Grab your affected arm by the elbow with your good arm, pulling it across your chest. Use gentle pressure to feel a stretch in your shoulder. Hold the stretch for about 20 seconds, and repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times per day.
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    Try a TENS machine to block painful nerve responses. A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine sends electrical impulses into your body to block pain and discomfort. Attach the nodes around your shoulder area and use the machine before you go to sleep. [7]
    • If you have any sort of heart issues, talk to your doctor before using a TENS machine.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

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    If you haven’t been to your doctor yet, make an appointment with them to talk about your symptoms. They will diagnose you with a frozen shoulder based on what your symptoms have been and a physical exam. [8] Common symptoms include:
    • Trouble rotating your arm outward
    • Discomfort or pain during driving, eating, and sleeping
    • Stiffness and pain at the shoulder joint
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    Getting a good night’s sleep is important, and that’s tough to do with a frozen shoulder. If you haven’t been able to sleep, talk to your doctor about steroid injections. These can help reduce the swelling and inflammation, leading to less pain. [9]
    • These are also called cortisone shots.
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    The most common way to treat a frozen shoulder is through specific stretches and exercises. Have your primary doctor refer you to a physical therapist, then go to weekly or bi-weekly sessions to learn a routine that works for your shoulder. [10]
    • Your physical therapist will likely give you a list of exercises you can do at home as well.
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    Frozen shoulder is typically caused by scar tissue inside of the body. In severe cases, you may need to be put to sleep while a doctor manipulates your shoulder. Or, your doctor may bring you in for surgery to remove the scar tissue. [11]
    • Typically, less invasive methods will be tried first before undergoing surgery.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is a frozen shoulder?
    Jonathan Frank, MD
    Sports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist
    Dr. Jonathan Frank is an Orthopedic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, specializing in sports medicine and joint preservation. Dr. Frank's practice focuses on minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip, and elbow. Dr. Frank holds an MD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. He is a staff team physician for the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Dr. Frank is currently a scientific reviewer for top peer-reviewed scientific journals, and his research has been presented at regional, national, and international orthopedic conferences, winning several awards including the prestigious Mark Coventry and William A Grana awards.
    Jonathan Frank, MD
    Sports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist
    Expert Answer
    A frozen shoulder is basically a shoulder that has lost motion because the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint has gotten inflamed and/or contracted, restricting movement, which causes pain.
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      • Frozen shoulder can only be diagnosed by a doctor. If you believe you have a frozen shoulder, make an appointment with a professional to start on a treatment plan.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about healing injuries, check out our in-depth interview with Jonathan Frank, MD .

      References

      1. ↑ https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/Stiff%20Shoulder_tcm75-19067.pdf
      2. ↑ https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/pain/shoulder-pain-at-night-you-may-have-frozen-shoulder/
      3. ↑ https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/Stiff%20Shoulder_tcm75-19067.pdf
      4. ↑ https://utswmed.org/medblog/unraveling-mystery-and-misery-frozen-shoulder/
      5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/frozen-shoulder-adhesive-capsulitis
      6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/how-to-release-a-frozen-shoulder
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/frozen-shoulder-adhesive-capsulitis
      8. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/how-to-release-a-frozen-shoulder
      9. ↑ https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/pain/shoulder-pain-at-night-you-may-have-frozen-shoulder/
      1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-shoulder/
      2. ↑ https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/pain/shoulder-pain-at-night-you-may-have-frozen-shoulder/

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