How To Sleep With A Frozen Shoulder - 7 Tips For A Peaceful Sleep

Do you wince in pain when trying to reach your wallet or scratch your back? This may be an indication of a frozen shoulder. It is a condition that makes arm mobility difficult because of stiffness in joint pain. It hampers movement and keeps the affected individual up at night. If you or anyone in your family suffer from this condition, read this blog to know how to sleep with a frozen shoulder issue.

A good night’s sleep is a dream for people suffering from shoulder pain. Let’s briefly discuss what a frozen shoulder is and then move on towards treatment.

Frozen Shoulder

Understanding this term is important. A frozen shoulder is a disease that progresses gradually and results in stiffness of the shoulder joint. The frozen shoulder area hardens with time, making it difficult to sleep and use hands during mundane tasks.

A frozen shoulder gradually gains strength in 3 phases and takes time for complete healing as well. In this condition finding a proper sleeping position is difficult. The person can’t really sleep on one side throughout the night.

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

The important part is adequate rest throughout the day for reduced inflammation – relief from the frozen shoulder will result in a peaceful sleep at night.
Anti-inflammatories such as NSAIDs or analgesics help reduce pain and inflammation at night. Take these tablets an hour before bed so that the effect kicks in at the right time.
Use another arm to sleep and not the frozen shoulder. It may seem easy, but your control over movements loosens up when you are unconscious. You can place a pillow to stop you from rolling on the affected side.
Stretching exercises that are not too strenuous always help in getting rid of the shoulder pain. Slight movement will help relax the stiff muscles on the shoulder and will give it enough space for pain relief.

Best Sleeping Positions with a Frozen Shoulder

The most commonly suggested position is lying on the unaffected side with a pillow you can hug while sleeping. The pillow is positioned to support the frozen arm, stopping it from moving during sleep.
Avoid sleeping on the front, it is a tempting position for pain relief, but it actually pulls the arm forwards, displacing the balance and stability.
Use a pillow for support under your head; it aligns the body properly, relieving pressure from the shoulders.

Why does Frozen Shoulder Pain Intensify At Night?

The issue is blood flow related; at night, the circulation slows down, and so does water filtration from the kidneys, causing water retention and increased internal body pressure. The pressure increases inflammatory response leading to pain at night.

Conclusion

Following a healthy night routine is essential. Normally 8 hours of sleep is recommended for proper body and mind functioning. If the frozen shoulder is hampering your sleep, try some of the tips mentioned in this blog for relief; let us know how everything turns out. In case of more queries, reach out to an affordable rheumatologist in Houston at Rheumatology Care of North Houston at 832 532 9779 today.