Published on: 5/26/2025
To ease elbow pain at night, try adjusting your sleep position and use supportive pillows to keep the elbow in a safe, comfortable position.
When you feel elbow pain at night, changing how you sleep can help reduce the pressure on your elbow. One idea is to sleep on your back instead of on the side with the painful elbow. This way, you avoid putting extra weight on it. You can use a small pillow or a rolled towel to support your arm. This extra support helps keep the elbow in a gentle, comfortable position and can take some of the strain off the joint. Gentle stretching or light movements during the day may also help the healing process. By reducing stress on your elbow while you sleep, you give it a chance to heal and feel better. Adjusting your sleep setup, as noted in the research, may lessen the night-time pain. If these changes do not help, it might be a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional for more advice and proper treatment options. Enjoy a more comfortable sleep with these small changes to your sleep habits.
(References)
Gorski JM. Evaluation of Sleep Position for Possible Nightly Aggravation and Delay of Healing in Tennis Elbow. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2019 Aug 2;3(8):e082. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00082. PMID: 31592507; PMCID: PMC6754212.
Ma KL, Wang HQ. Management of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Narrative Literature Review. Pain Res Manag. 2020 May 5;2020:6965381. doi: 10.1155/2020/6965381. PMID: 32454922; PMCID: PMC7222600.
Day JM, Lucado AM, Uhl TL. A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR TREATING LATERAL ELBOW TENDINOPATHY. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Sep;14(5):818-829. PMID: 31598419; PMCID: PMC6769266.
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