Sleeping With Rotator Cuff Pain - Sports-health

4. Stay active

Don’t let your injured rotator cuff stop you from exercising altogether. Research shows getting regular exercise improves sleep time and quality11Tseng TH, Chen HC, Wang LY, Chien MY. Effects of exercise training on sleep quality and heart rate variability in middle-aged and older adults with poor sleep quality: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(9):1483-1492. doi:10.5664/jcsm.8560,12Yang PY, Ho KH, Chen HC, Chien MY. Exercise training improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2012;58(3):157-163. doi:10.1016/S1836-9553(12)70106-6,13Youngstedt SD. Effects of exercise on sleep. Clin Sports Med. 2005;24(2):355-xi. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2004.12.003 as well as mood and blood circulation.14Benefits of Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed November 1, 2021. Accessed April 21, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits

Even if you are wearing a shoulder sling, you can go for a walk. If you’re not wearing a sling, be sure to avoid exercises that could strain the injured shoulder and make your pain worse—for example, recumbent biking is a great choice, but fast- or moderately-paced swimming is probably not. Gentle movements and stretches that help maintain range of motion are usually okay. A physician or physical therapist can help you make safe choices.

5. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever before bedtime

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, which may help you sleep. Keep in mind, NSAIDs may reduce pain but can damage your stomach lining if taken every day for an extended period,2Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Dunklee G, Shepardson A, Acharya H. Effect of prescribed sleep surfaces on back pain and sleep quality in patients diagnosed with low back and shoulder pain. Appl Ergon. 2010;42(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2010.05.004 so they are not a good long-term solution. Acetaminophen is safer for your stomach and reduces pain but not inflammation. Topical pain relievers are typically safe but may be less effective at reducing your pain.

Choices about sleep positions, mattresses, pillows, activity level, and pain relievers may vary from person to person. You can talk to your physician about which sleep strategies are the most comfortable, safe, and affordable for you.

Of course, the strategies described above will not repair or heal your damaged rotator cuff. To really solve your sleep problem, you may need to treat your injured shoulder.

Non-surgical rotator cuff treatments for better sleep

If the rotator cuff injury happened recently, a physician may recommend resting the affected shoulder by wearing a sling for some or all of the day. If the injury’s initial inflammation has died down, he or she may prescribe physical therapy, particularly if the rotator cuff tear is considered minor or moderate.15Narvani AA, Imam MA, Godenèche A, et al. Degenerative rotator cuff tear, repair or not repair? A review of current evidence. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2020;102(4):248-255. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2019.0173

See Rotator Cuff Injuries: Initial Treatment

If your shoulder pain persists after these early treatments, a therapeutic injection or surgery may be recommended.

See Rotator Cuff Injections