Sleeping On Your Back With Shoulder Support
If you face rotator cuff painor shoulder pain, in generaltry sleeping on your back with a small pillow nested between your shoulder blades. Often, morning shoulder pain is caused by your bodys flatness during nighttime hours. You may still experience pain from resting on your back alone, so dont forget to enforce your shoulders natural bends by keeping the area between them raised.
Woke Up With Neck Pain Here Are Some Possible Reasons Why
Do you remember how your neck pain began? Was it right after an injury, or did it sneak up on you over time? Chronic neck pain can stop us from sleeping well at night, leading to sleepless nights and stiffness the following day. Sleep is meant to be the time for your body to recover, not experience more pain. Here are some common reasons why you may be experiencing pain when you first wake up.
Keep Moving And Try Stretching
You should keep walking and moving to keep the muscles in your neck from becoming stiffer. If you are looking for pain relief from the stiffness in your neck, you might do some light stretching to ease the pain. Poor posture is one of the most common culprits of causing a crick in the neck and stretching helps to combat this. Here are some exercises to try:
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Can My Mattress Affect My Sleep
If youve been talking to people about your stiff neck from sleeping, youve probably heard plenty of advice about getting a different mattress. Most people automatically associate a faulty mattress with neck pain. There is some truth to that, but not as much as many people think. The safety and comfort of your neck, while you sleep, have much more to do with your pillow than your mattress.
But, if youve switched out your pillow to fit your needs and sleeping position and youre still uncomfortable, you can look into changing your mattress. Its important to make sure you have a mattress that is firm enough.
If your mattress is over ten years old, its a good rule of thumb to get a new one. Mattresses can flatten out a bit over time, and become misshapen. If you dont have the budget for a new mattress, try flipping your current one over, if possible. Some mattresses cant be flipped. If yours does, you should do it periodically, so it doesnt lose its shape on one side.
Other Causes Of Neck Pain When You Wake Up

There are certainly other causes that can also contribute to you waking up with neck pain. In some cases, you may develop a sore neck during the day, too. Some common causes of neck pain include:
- poor posture during the day
- working too long at a computer, or watching television for too long without changing positions
- osteoarthritis in one of the upper spinal joints
- nerve compression caused by a herniated disk or bone spur in your neck
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Avoid The Supine Bhc Position
The supine BHC position is more symmetrical than the DHF since you have positioned both hands on the chest while lying on your back. The difference in the activity between the scalene and upper trapezius muscles is lower. Still, this position of the arms causes some level of tightness of the upper trapezius, which can cause numbness and neck pain.
Create An Ergonomic Workplace
Many people work at a computer desk for eight hours each day. This can contribute to a stiff neck, as well as other ailments. Here are some ways to prevent a stiff neck at work:
- Adjust your chair into a comfortable position with your feet flat on the floor and your knees a bit lower than your hips.
- Use ergonomic posture while sitting, with your back straight and your arms level to the desk.
- Adjust your computer so that its at eye level.
- Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.
- Stand up to stretch and move every hour.
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Treatment For Sleep Problems In West Jersey
If you often awaken with neck pain, see an experienced orthopedist. The doctor will evaluate your nightly habits and recommend treatment that will work to alleviate the pain for good.
Here at the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, our medical team has extensive experience with medical conditions related to neck pain and all other types of musculoskeletal pain. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at 989-0888, or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you find relief from your neck pain and get a comfortable nights sleep every night.
The Best Sleeping Position For Neck Pain
Almost everyone has had a sore or stiff neck at some point in their lives. According to the World Health Organization, back and neck pain and arthritis, and bone fractures are among the most common disabling muscle or bone injuries.
Approximately 10% to 20% of adults experience neck pain at any given time. Neck pain usually resolves on its own, but it can develop into a persistent issue in around half of the cases.
Getting a good nights sleep might be difficult with a tight neck. Making a few adjustments to your sleeping patterns, on the other hand, can help you manage your neck pain and avoid sleeping in unpleasant positions for long periods.
Lets take a look at which sleeping positions are most likely to relieve neck pain. Well also look at other things you can do before bed to help alleviate pain.
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The Worst Sleep Position: On Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position for your spine, according to Raymond J. Hah, MD, a spine surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC and assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. This position puts the most pressure on your spines muscles and joints because it flattens the natural curve of your spine, he says. Sleeping on your stomach also forces you to turn your neck, which can cause neck and upper back pain.
Research shows that theres a correlation between pain and sleep, so it makes sense to incorporate simple changes in your sleep style that alleviate back pain and less pain means better sleep.
Do you have back pain? The experts at the USC Spine Center can help. Schedule an appointment or call USC-CARE .
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When you start to feel your neck and shoulders tense up, you know that the pain isn’t far behind. Most of us sit for hours on end, hunched over, staring at a computer screen, causing stress and tension to build up over the course of the day. Before you know it, you’re left with tight musclesand destined for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Small wonder, then, that neck pain is one of the most common and painful musculoskeletal conditions. According to one recent study, “It is a problem in societies probably due to the widespread use of electronic gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets. It causes pain, functional disability, depression, and sleep disturbances.”
In fact, those who deal with recurring neck and shoulder pain often report troubled sleep. In a 2013 study, 42% of patients with chronic low back pain and chronic neck pain were found to be sleep deprived. Another 2013 study noted that among those who have dealt with shoulder pain for three months or longer, an astounding 81% experienced poor sleep.
These aches and pains might be considered everyday inconveniences, but they can add up to prolonged low-quality sleep. Tom Tozer, chiropractor at Wisconsin’s Imperium Chiropractic, is here to share his expertise on these areas of the body and offer tips on finally achieving pain-free sleep.
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How To Avoid Shoulder Pain From Sleeping On Side
Waking up refreshed after a good nights sleep is one of the most invigorating feelings, you can do anything, youre energized and looking forward to what the day has in store. Unfortunately, many suffer shoulder pain from sleeping and that joy sparked from a good nights sleep is rarely felt.
If youre a side sleeper who experiences shoulder blade pain, then this article is for you. Lets talk about the causes of your shoulder pain and what you can do tonight to feel better. Everyone can sleep soundly, especially those suffering shoulder pain at night.
Do Use Hot Or Cold Therapy Before Bed

Use hot or cold elements on your back can help sooth your pain before bed. This could include ice or a cold gel pack wrapped in cloth applied to your back, taking a warm shower or hot bath, or using a heating pad or hot water bottle on the affected area for 15-20 minutes before bed.
Hot or cold therapy can help reduce inflammation caused by lower back pain and promote relief before you go to sleep. Generally, heat is better for longer chronic back pain while ice is better in the first 72 hours.
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How To Get Rid Of Neck Pain
Neck pain can be relieved with an ice or heat pack on the area for up to 20 minutes at a time. Gentle exercise and stretching, walking, and yoga can help too. Painkillers can help in the short term but only mask the issue. Ensure youre sleeping on a quality pillow so as not to exacerbate symptoms further.
Waking up with aches and pains every morning can have a severe impact on your physical health and mental wellbeing
Tips To Help Alleviate Or Prevent Neck Pain When Sleeping
- Get the right pillow. Your pillow must support your neckâs natural curve and must be aligned with your bed. A pillow that is too high can strain your neck muscles and interrupt your breathing while a pillow that is too low can also strain the neck muscles. Here is how you should choose a pillow according to the different sleeping positions:
-
âSleeping on your back. Generally, back sleepers need a thin pillow so that the curve of the neck is similar when you are standing in the proper posture.- Sleeping on the side. Side sleepers need a pillow that is thicker than the back sleepersâ. Choose a pillow that ensures your neck and head are in their best position in accordance to your shoulders. The broader your shoulders are, the thicker the pillow that you will need if you prefer to sleep on your side.- Sleeping on your stomach. As much as you can, avoid sleeping on your stomach because it will stress your neck muscles. However, if you really prefer this position, then get the slimmest pillow that you can find or have no pillow at all.
Back and side sleepers are advised to place a small rolled-up towel or pillow under the neck for more support.
If neck pain persists for more than a week, consult your local Jacksonville doctor so that he can recommend a comprehensive treatment plan to help relieve the pain. However, another alternative is to see a chiropractor in Jacksonville, FL for a natural way to relieve neck pain.
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Tips To Prevent Neck Pain
Its probably safe to say that most of us at some point in time have woken up with neck pain or can recall an event or injury that resulted in neck pain. In fact, at any given time, 13% of American adults suffer from neck pain.
Following these 10 tips can help to prevent neck pain. Watch:10 Best Tips to Prevent Neck Pain Video
Muscle strain and resulting muscle spasm is often caused by an underlying neck problem, such as spinal stenosis, arthritis, or disc degeneration and can be triggered from trauma but frequently occurs insidiously, or for no obvious or identifiable reason.
Selecting the right pillow height for your sleeping position can help to keep your cervical spine in neutral alignment and prevent pain. Watch3 Evening Tips for Sleeping with Neck Pain Video
The Best Pillows For Neck Pain
Neck Pain Relief Exercises While SleepingRead our top picks to learn more about each ones materials and unique qualities. While your sleep setup might not be the original root of your neck pain, it can play an important role in making it better or worse. In the buyers guide section, well break down the reasons you could be experiencing neck pain and how your pillow can help. Well take a deeper look at how body position and pillow construction can enhance comfort, and well teach you what to look for when shopping for a pillow for neck pain.
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Why You Should Trust Us
Our team at Sleep Foundation includes experts and testers with years of experience in the sleep product industry. We have tested over 300 pillows in order to determine which ones are best suited to sleepers with different needs. Our team includes back, side, stomach, and combination sleepers, as well as sleepers of different body types. This allows us to represent as wide an array of sleep preferences as possible in our findings.
During the testing process, our team members lie on each pillow for a period of time to evaluate firmness, support, pressure relief, and other performance features that are relevant to sleepers with neck pain. Testers shift around to evaluate the pillow in different positions. The picks above reflect the pillows that out-performed all other models.
Sleeping With Hand On Forehead
Research published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in June shows that pain in the upper trapezius and scalene muscles of the right side of the neck was significantly greater when the persons dominant hand was placed on their forehead while sleeping. That is why keeping the hands by your side is better.
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Can Neck Pain Be Treated Without Surgery Click Here To Read Our Guide
Neck sprains are often confused for neck strains, but they are a bit different. Strains are often caused by poor posture , lifting something thats too heavy, or repetitive motions. A neck sprain occurs when a ligament or muscle in the neck is overly stretched. This injury may occur without any obvious reason, but a sudden impact causing the neck to extend beyond its normal range and then snap back is usually the cause. You may not experience the symptoms immediately: they usually take a day or two to present themselves.
A neck injury is likely to cause stiffness that makes moving the neck painful. This may also cause the back of the head, shoulders, and upper back to hurt. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue, ringing in the ears, and occasional numbness in the hands and arms. Other symptoms include muscle spasms, tingling or weakness in the arms, and increased irritability. If youre suffering from chronic, severe painespecially accompanied by pain radiating down your legs and arms, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Neck pain is often attributed to sleeping wrong, so how can you sleep right?
Common Causes Of Lower Right Back Pain
Now, lets turn to common musculoskeletal causes of lower right back pain. By learning more about these causes, youll be better prepared to get quick pain relief.
1. Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are the number one cause of lower right back pain.
Whats the difference between a sprain and a strain? In essence, they are similar injuries. Sprains happen when you overextend or tear ligaments strains happen when you tear muscles or tendons . Typically, youll feel swelling, stiffness, bruising, cramping and/or spasms in your lower right back.
You usually know when you have a sprain or strain because you did something to trigger it. This could be an everyday activity, such as a sports injury, lifting something heavy, household falls or overexercising. Any sudden movements, or unnatural twisting and turning can also injure your muscles.
While both sprains and strains can heal on their own, you can help speed up the recovery process. Generally, the R.I.C.E. formula is recommended, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. The idea is to limit the use of your back muscles, ice them and apply any compression bandages. By following this formula, your lower right back should feel better in no time.
2. Disc Degeneration
In extreme cases, you may even consider steroid injections or surgery. However, most people with disc degeneration will focus on getting relief at home.
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Herniated Disc
5. Muscular Imbalance
6. Spinal Stenosis
7. Sciatica
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Effects On Skin And Hair
Research is still in the early stages, but some studies suggest that there is a relationship between pillows and wrinkle formation. A pillow that presses directly on your face may cause more skin impressions than lying on a bare mattress, which is less likely to conform as closely. Of course, sleeping on your back is the most effective way to prevent wrinkles, since your face comes into minimal contact with a pillow or mattress. If you do use a pillow, frequently washing the pillowcase may help reduce acne.
There are also theories that pillows may be damaging to hair. Supporters of these theories reason that cotton pillowcases, in particular, create more friction and absorb oils that are meant to protect the hair. This might be more relevant for people who move frequently in their sleep.
So far, there is no research to support the correlation between pillows and hair health. However, if you believe your pillow might be contributing to dry, frizzy hair or knots, switching to a smoother silk pillowcase may help alleviate these symptoms without the need to change your sleeping style.
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