Your shoulder feels manageable during the day, but starts aching as soon as you get into bed. You change sides, rearrange the pillows and still struggle to get comfortable.
Night-time shoulder pain is common. It can occur with rotator cuff-related pain, bursitis or frozen shoulder, but the timing alone doesn’t identify the cause. Frozen shoulder typically also causes increasing stiffness, while rotator cuff-related pain may be noticeable when reaching or lifting.
Why does my shoulder hurt when I sleep?
Lying directly on a sensitive shoulder can aggravate it. Some people also find that letting the upper arm fall forwards when lying on their opposite side feels uncomfortable.
Night pain does not automatically mean you have seriously damaged your shoulder. The pattern of symptoms, your movement and any recent injury all help guide an assessment.
What sleeping position can help?
There is no single position that suits everyone. Try these adjustments:
- On your back: place a pillow beneath the sore arm to support the elbow and forearm.
- On your comfortable side: hug a pillow so the sore arm rests on it.
- If you roll onto the sore shoulder: a pillow behind your back may help you stay comfortable.
You don’t need an expensive pillow to start – experiment with what you already have.
Should I rest my shoulder during the day?
Temporarily reduce activities that clearly aggravate it, but avoid completely stopping movement. Gentle movement and a gradual return to activity can support recovery.
If gym exercises or repeated overhead tasks leave your shoulder more uncomfortable that evening, adjust the load, repetitions or range. A physiotherapist can help you choose suitable exercises and progress them as your tolerance improves.
When should I get it checked?
Arrange an assessment if pain regularly interrupts sleep, movement is becoming restricted, or symptoms are worsening or not improving after around two weeks.
Seek urgent medical care after a significant injury if you cannot lift your arm, or if the shoulder is hot, swollen and accompanied by fever. Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain or breathlessness needs emergency assessment – call 000.
Shoulder pain keeping you awake? PhysiCo City’s physiotherapists in Sydney CBD can assess your symptoms and develop a plan for more comfortable movement, sleep and exercise. Book an appointment.
