Charles A. Su, MD, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at the University of Virginia Health System and professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, explained why shoulder pain occurs when you sleep on your side. This position puts pressure on the shoulder, which can cause stiffness, aches, and pain.
There is limited research on the relationship between side sleeping and shoulder pain. However, some have this connection.
Sleeping position is unlikely to be the primary cause of shoulder pain, says Michael Stone, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedics in Los Angeles. Sleeping on your side does not cause shoulder pain, but it can aggravate symptoms of other conditions. These include shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff injuries, adhesive capsulitis, and osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
If you regularly experience shoulder pain after sleeping on your side or in general, consult a doctor. It is especially important to get tested if you experience numbness in your arm because this may be a sign of a cervical spine disorder.
You can also try these methods to relieve shoulder pain. These include changing your sleeping position (sleeping on your back), doing exercises to strengthen your shoulders, applying heat or ice to your shoulder, and using pillows to support your shoulders and arms while you sleep.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
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