What causes shoulder pain when sleeping on my side?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Side sleeping can cause shoulder pain because your body weight compresses the shoulder joint, restricts blood flow, and strains the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles for hours at a time. Common relief strategies include switching sleep positions, hugging a pillow to stabilize the top arm, or using a contoured pillow that keeps the neck and shoulder aligned.

However, persistent shoulder pain isn't always just about sleep posture. It can also signal issues like rotator cuff injury, bursitis, tendinitis, or a pinched nerve — conditions that won't resolve with a new pillow alone. Because the causes vary widely, the smartest next step is to pinpoint what's actually driving your discomfort before it worsens. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your shoulder pain and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Shoulder pain when sleeping on your side can happen because your shoulder joint gets pressed against the bed. This pressure can cause discomfort or pain, especially if you stay in one position for too long.

Tips to Reduce Shoulder Pain:

Change Positions: Try sleeping on your back or the other side to relieve pressure on the painful shoulder.
Use a Pillow: Placing a pillow between your arms or under your shoulder can help support the joint and reduce pain.
Supportive Mattress: A mattress that supports your body well can reduce pressure points.

These steps may help improve your sleep and reduce shoulder pain. If your discomfort continues, consider using a symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your pain and whether you should seek medical attention.

(References)

Vegas A, Garcia JR, Glener J, & Levy JC. (2023). Improvement in Sleep Disturbance Following Anatomic .... The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 37471518.
Aburub A, Darabseh MZ, Alsharman A, Hegazy MM, & Hunter SM. (2022). Nursing Mothers' Experiences of Musculoskeletal Pain .... Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 36378819.
Sinha S, Kar S, Naik AK, Kumar J, Goyal R, Jain VK, & Arya RK. (2021). Decreased motion with normal strength after Latarjet .... Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 33459831.

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