How to Relieve Shoulder Pain at Night: What Works (And What Doesn’t)
Struggling to Sleep Because of Shoulder Pain? Here’s How to Fix It.
If you’re over 50 and wondering how to relieve shoulder pain at night, you’re not alone. Many people feel fine during the day, but once they lie down, a deep ache or stabbing shoulder pain keeps them awake.
This type of pain doesn’t just affect sleep—it impacts your energy, mood, and ability to stay active.
In this post, you’ll learn what causes shoulder pain at night, what treatments work (and what don’t), and how physical therapy can help you sleep better—without painkillers or surgery.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain at Night
Shoulder pain that disrupts sleep is often caused by inflammation or injury to the rotator cuff, shoulder joint, or surrounding structures. The most common culprits we see at Preferred Physical Therapy include:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis or small tears
- Shoulder bursitis
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Shoulder impingement
- Osteoarthritis
When you lie down—especially on your side—it puts pressure on these already-irritated tissues, which leads to more pain and poor sleep.
Want to understand the causes in more detail? Visit OrthoInfo’s guide to rotator cuff tears.
Why Traditional Advice Falls Short
You’ve probably already tried some of the common recommendations like:
- Using extra pillows
- Icing before bed
- Taking ibuprofen or other pain relievers
- Sleeping on the “good” side
While these may give you temporary relief, they don’t fix the underlying issue. In fact, pain medications can sometimes mask the problem, allowing it to get worse over time.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, shoulder pain that lasts more than a few weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare provider—especially if it affects your sleep or daily function.
Learn more about rotator cuff injuries from OrthoInfo.
How to Relieve Shoulder Pain at Night—The Right Way
At Preferred Physical Therapy, we help adults over 50 find lasting relief with a proven plan that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. Here’s how to relieve shoulder pain at night using our effective, non-invasive approach:
✅ 1. Targeted Hands-On Therapy
Manual therapy techniques reduce stiffness in the joint and surrounding soft tissue, improving movement and decreasing pain.
✅ 2. Specific Strengthening Exercises
We teach you customized exercises that build shoulder stability and prevent future irritation—often a missing piece in long-term recovery. Want to see examples? Check out our YouTube playlist on shoulder health exercises.
✅ 3. Sleep Position Coaching
We’ll show you how to modify your sleeping posture, use proper pillow support, and avoid positions that strain your shoulder during the night.
✅ 4. Advanced Pain Relief Options
We also offer cutting-edge treatments like Radial Shockwave Therapy and EMTT (Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy). These are ideal for chronic or stubborn cases.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
The longer you deal with nighttime shoulder pain, the more likely it is that:
- Your shoulder becomes stiffer and more limited
- You compensate with poor posture or movement
- You start avoiding activity (which accelerates degeneration)
You don’t have to live like this.
In fact, the sooner you take action, the easier and faster the recovery tends to be.
Real People, Real Results
We’ve helped thousands of adults in the Glendale and Peoria area get back to sleeping soundly, playing golf again, lifting grandkids without pain—and doing it all without relying on pills, injections, or surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes shoulder pain that gets worse at night?
Shoulder pain that worsens at night is usually caused by inflammation in the rotator cuff or shoulder joint, which gets irritated when you lie down. Common causes include tendinitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder, or arthritis.
Is it okay to sleep on a painful shoulder?
No. Sleeping on a painful shoulder can worsen inflammation and delay healing. Try sleeping on your back or the opposite side with a pillow supporting the affected arm.
Can physical therapy help relieve shoulder pain at night?
Yes! Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to relieve shoulder pain at night—especially when it targets mobility, stability, and proper sleep posture.
Limited-Time Offer: Get Relief and a Free Shoulder Pain Guide
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain at night and want real solutions that work, we’ve got something special for you.
👉 Book a consultation now and receive our FREE “Shoulder Pain Relief Guide”—a step-by-step plan to ease nighttime shoulder pain and feel better fast.
(Offer available for a limited time only!)
At Preferred Physical Therapy, our mission is to help people over 50 stay active and independent, live free from painkillers, and avoid surgery. You don’t have to wait for the pain to get worse before you take action.
If you’re ready to sleep better and live better, we’re ready to help.
Dr. Nick received an associates degree in sports medicine from BYU-Idaho he then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. Following BYU, he received his Doctorate of Physical therapy from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Nick’s greatest passion is seeing his patients recover from injury and return to their activities that bring them joy.
You Might Also Like...
-
July 12, 2018 -
October 5, 2020 -
August 26, 2019
