Tips For Sleeping With Tendonitis In The Shoulder

It can be very uncomfortable to try to sleep with tendonitis in the shoulder. This disorder comes with pain, inflammation and a feeling of weakness which reduces one’s ability to perform tasks in everyday life. When going to bed, the symptoms tend to worsen and can interfere with one’s rest.

What can be done about it? How can you prevent the discomfort from affecting your sleep quality?

There are  some simple steps that one can implement to alleviate this discomfort. In this article, we will look briefly at its causes and then at how to relieve the symptoms so that one can have a good night’s rest.

What is tendonitis in the shoulder? What are its causes?

Tendonitis in the shoulder is inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder. It is often caused by repetitive movements or overexertion of the muscles in the shoulder. It is common in people who play sports such as tennis, baseball and swimming.

On the other hand, it can also affect people who have jobs that involve putting a lot of pressure on this joint, as is the case with carpenters and painters. Generally, there are  two types of tendonitis in the shoulder:

1. In the rotator cuff, which consists of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis.
2. I biceps brachii.

Its primary symptom is a feeling of pain, which increases with the movement of the upper limbs or touching the joint. There is also weakening of the arm, difficulty lifting objects and discomfort at night.

How to sleep with tendonitis in the shoulder?

To prevent sleep problems caused by tendonitis in the shoulder, talk to a doctor. Although there are general tips to help provide a sense of relief, one’s doctor will need to determine how severe the injury is and the extent to which one needs medication.

Often they will suggest using non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. At the same time, however, we also recommend  going to a physiotherapist to perform exercises and therapy to improve the strength of the muscles in this area.

If it is not enough to control the symptoms of pain, then an injection of corticosteroids or even surgery may be necessary. In any case, one can follow these specific bedtime tips while the damage is recovering. Keep them in mind!

Apply ice before bedtime

Before going to bed, apply an ice pack or cold compress to the shoulder, which is affected by tendonitis. As Edward R. Laskowski, MD, explains in a Mayo Clinic publication, colds  relieve pain and cause blood vessels to narrow. In this way, inflammation is reduced.

Cold therapy should last 15 to 20 minutes. It is essential to wrap the ice in a bag or towel, as applying it directly can damage the skin.

Find an alternative sleeping position

Sleeping positions have played a major role in how quickly tendonitis in the shoulder improves. However, there is no standard sleeping position that will help improve the disorder. Because of this, we recommend that you try different positions and choose the most comfortable one.

• Reclined position. There are several options for sleeping in a reclining position. First, you can place several pillows behind your back when lying in bed. You can also use a comfortable armchair or a bed that can be adjusted. For increased comfort, a pillow can be placed under the injured arm.

• On the back. Another option is to lie on your back with the injured arm on a pillow. This support reduces the pressure on the shoulder, which relieves pain.
• On the good side. Another position that will help you rest is to  lie on the good side. In other words, one can sleep on the right side if the left shoulder is injured. However, it is quite difficult for people who cannot sleep in the same position all night.

Follow good sleeping habits

To help the healing process of tendonitis in the shoulder  , sleep is important. Poor sleep quality increases stress and makes recovery difficult. In addition to following the above advice, you will also need to follow other good sleeping habits. We especially recommend the following:

• Follow regular schedules. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
• Avoid using mobile devices, computers and televisions before bedtime.
• Limit your intake of stimulants  such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, especially after 4pm.
• Eat a healthy dinner  at least two hours before going to bed.

Can not sleep with tendonitis in the shoulder?

Not only are the symptoms of tendonitis in the shoulder crippling during the day, but they can also reduce the quality of sleep. That is why it is a good idea to apply these recommendations. If the pain still does not get better, then it is best to go to the doctor.

As we have mentioned, in some cases the injury requires a pharmacological or surgical approach. So if the symptoms are severe and do not get better with your own measures at home, then you will have to seek professional help.