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Avoid This Sleeping Position to Prevent Rotator Cuff Tears
🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Avoid This Sleeping Position to Prevent Rotator Cuff Tears

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nighttime shoulder pain, especially when lying on the affected side or in an "arms overhead" position, may indicate rotator cuff tears or bursitis.
  • Rotator cuff tears involve damage or rupture of the four muscles and tendons that move the shoulder joint, often due to degeneration or repetitive use.
  • While sleeping positions don't cause tears, they can exacerbate existing inflammation or damage by compressing the affected shoulder, leading to increased pain.

Persistent nighttime shoulder pain, particularly when rolling onto the affected side or sleeping with arms raised, could signal underlying issues like rotator cuff tears or subacromial bursitis, according to medical experts.

Many patients report that their shoulder pain intensifies at night, disrupting sleep. While seemingly a simple sleep disturbance, this pattern warrants medical attention, as it often points to inflammation or damage within the shoulder's internal structures.

Many patients in my clinic complain that their pain is manageable during the day but worsens significantly at night.

— Min Seul-giDr. Min Seul-gi, an orthopedic specialist at Yonsei Star Hospital, describes a common patient complaint.

The rotator cuff comprises four muscles and their tendons that enable shoulder joint movement. Degenerative changes, repetitive arm use, or minor injuries can lead to tears in these structures, causing pain as the muscles detach from the upper arm bone. While sleeping in certain positions does not directly cause a rotator cuff to tear, these positions can worsen existing conditions.

If you find it difficult to lie on your painful side or are frequently woken by pain, it's necessary to check the condition of your rotator cuff and bursa.

— Min Seul-giDr. Min Seul-gi advises when to seek medical attention for shoulder pain.

Lying on the painful shoulder for extended periods can compress inflamed or damaged tissues, intensifying discomfort. Similarly, sleeping with the arm overhead, often referred to as the "prayer position" or "arms overhead position," can strain the shoulder, leading to increased pain and stiffness. These sleeping habits tend to make pre-existing shoulder problems more apparent rather than causing them.

Medical professionals advise that if nighttime pain is severe, frequently wakes the patient, or is accompanied by difficulty lifting the arm or a noticeable decrease in strength, it is crucial to seek a medical evaluation. Diagnosis may involve physical examination and imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRIs to assess the extent of tendon damage and muscle atrophy. Treatment options range from conservative methods like medication and physical therapy to surgical repair for larger tears.

Changing sleeping positions can help reduce pain as part of lifestyle management, but it is not a treatment for the rotator cuff injury itself.

— Min Seul-giDr. Min Seul-gi clarifies the role of sleep posture in managing shoulder injuries.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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