When you have bursitis in the shoulder, sleeping can be laborious/difficult. For many people, the pain in the shoulder prevents them from finding a comfortable position. This not only affects your sleep but also affects your energy for the rest of the day. We give you some tips for a good night's sleep below. Read on quickly below.
What is bursitis in the shoulder?
Bursitis is a painful condition in the shoulder where the small fluid-filled sacks become inflamed. These sacks protect your tendons, bones and muscles near your shoulder joint. Inflammation in the bursa is caused by overuse or by making repetitive movements. This leads to irritation and inflammation, resulting in a painful shoulder.
What symptoms occur with bursitis in the shoulder?
With bursitis, there are various symptoms that you can suffer from. We list the symptoms for you below.
- Severe pain, especially around the top, front, back and outside of the shoulder.
- Possible swelling, warmth and redness around the shoulder head.
- Restrictions in moving the shoulder, especially when lifting the arm.
- Pain during specific actions, such as lifting, pushing and overhead movements.
- Difficulty finding a comfortable position while sleeping.
- An oppressive feeling due to swelling in the bursa.
- A stiff shoulder with increasing pain after activity.
- Reduced range of motion, especially with extreme movements.
- A shoulder that may feel warmer than normal.
- Radiation of pain to the upper arm, sometimes even to the elbow.
- The pain is often constant and can even make everyday activities such as reading or sleeping difficult.
What is the best way to sleep when you have bursitis in the shoulder?
Bursitis in the shoulder can disrupt your sleep considerably. The inflammation makes lying on it very painful. But a good night's sleep is incredibly important for your recovery. Here are some tips to make sleeping with bursitis in the shoulder a lot more comfortable.
- Back position: sleeping on your back is recommended, as this reduces pressure on the shoulders, which also reduces pain. You can always use an extra pillow for support.
- Lateral position: do you find sleeping on your back difficult and prefer to sleep on your side? Then try lying on your side where you have no symptoms. Place a pillow between your arms for more support to reduce pressure on the shoulder.
- Heat or ice: both can help reduce inflammation and pain, which is of course very nice before you go to sleep.
- Half an hour before you go to sleep, wrap an icepack in a tea towel and keep it on the painful shoulder.
- Pain relief: if the pain symptoms are very severe, consider painkillers. Think of paracetamol or anti-inflammatories. Always discuss this with your GP first.
- Using the right support: if you use the right pillow for support then you will experience less pain while sleeping. A pillow offers an awful lot of support, allowing you to lie better on your back and thus spare the shoulder.
In any case, avoid sleeping on your stomach or on the painful shoulder, as this can aggravate the symptoms.
Need more information?
After reading this article, do you have any questions or comments about the treatment and support of bursitis in the shoulder? Then don't hesitate to contact our highly knowledgeable customer service team. They are ready to answer all your questions. We can be reached via phone, live chat and e-mail.
