The #1 reason patients visit the doctor for their shoulder pain is sleep disruption. Being woken up by shoulder pain is not as harmless as one might believe.  In fact, sleep deprivation has been linked to:

1. Decline in brain function including impaired memory, decision making, and fine motor skills
2. Mood swings and irritability, which can affect interpersonal relationships
3. Weakening of the immune system, meaning greater susceptibility to infections
4. Weight gain by altering hormone levels that regulate appetite
5. Falls by impairing coordination and slowing down reaction times
6. Chronic disease, as poor sleep increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, and can make these conditions more difficult to control

We’d all prefer to avoid feeling grumpy and exhausted all day long, and we’ve all been there! It negatively affects our work performance when we’re unable to sleep. Interacting with others when we are tired can be difficult. For these reasons, loss of sleep tends to be what makes people with shoulder pain finally “throw in the towel” so to speak and schedule an appointment with the doctor. It is also why when asked, “Dr. Diaz, how will I know when it’s time to take care of my shoulder problem?” my answer is often, “When the pain doesn’t let you sleep.” In other words, sleep interruption is a good litmus test for shoulder pain deserving a consultation with a shoulder specialist.

Loss of sleep is a universal complaint of patients with shoulder pain regardless of the underlying cause. Rotator cuff tears, bursitis, arthritis, shoulder instability, frozen shoulder, biceps tendinitis… all these shoulder conditions share this common symptom. Pain tends to be worse for “side sleepers” but can affect a large range of sleeping positions.

The shoulder pain keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep has implications and consequences for your health that extend beyond the health of your shoulder. Ready for a better night’s sleep? Schedule a consultation to evaluate and find the right solution for your shoulder pain.