Why do I Wake Up with Shoulder Pain Every Morning?

We use our shoulders more than we think, yet we rarely give them a second thought — until they start to hurt. The fact is, shoulder pain is surprisingly standard, affecting about 70% of people sometime during their life. And for many people, those painful symptoms tend to be worse in the morning when they get up.

At Kerinver Chiropractic, Josue Maysonet, DC, focuses on treating the underlying cause of shoulder pain and restoring joint function and mobility while relieving soreness. In this post, learn why some types of shoulder pain are worse in the morning and what Dr. Maysonet can do to help.

Shoulder anatomy 101

To understand why morning shoulder pain happens, we have to start by learning the basics of shoulder anatomy. The shoulder joint — a ball-and-socket joint — has a rounded end at the upper arm bone that forms a ball, and the shoulder bones create a concave socket. 

A fibrous capsule surrounds the ball portion to protect it and help it glide smoothly inside the socket. Ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves surround the joint components that hold the shoulder parts together and support normal function.

Diagnosing shoulder pain is challenging because these “parts” can become strained or inflamed. Each type of injury can require a different approach to provide long-term relief and prevent joint damage. 

Without proper treatment, your painful symptoms can quickly worsen, interfering with daily activities and even making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment addresses problems that affect the joints, relieving pain while improving overall shoulder function.

Morning shoulder pain: why it happens

The first step in treating pain is understanding what’s causing it. There are many possible culprits for shoulder pain.

Sleeping position

Some mild types of shoulder pain may be cleared up with a simple change in sleeping position. Hours spent in one position can put a lot of strain on your shoulder and the surrounding area. Using pillows to support your shoulder and your neck might be all it takes to relieve pain when waking. 

Capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

Sometimes, the fibrous capsule surrounding the ball part of the shoulder joint becomes irritated and inflamed. The cause of this inflammation isn’t well understood, but we know that pain from capsulitis can feel worse in the morning. Gentle stretching before bed may help, along with using pillows to improve support while sleeping.

Rotator cuff injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are a common problem for athletes, but they can affect non-athletes, too, especially people who do a lot of reaching and lifting. Chiropractic treatment helps reduce inflammation and promote healing while focusing on restoring normal, pain-free joint function. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative joint that can affect any joint in your body, including your shoulder joint. Chiropractic treatment is ideally suited for arthritis pain, using therapies focused on relieving the underlying inflammation while promoting normal joint function and range of motion. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help, too.

Spine problems

Morning shoulder pain isn’t always just about the shoulder joint. Problems with your spine can contribute to pain or cause it, too. Herniated discs, tight muscles, and other spine issues can compress nerves connected to your shoulder joint or cause other problems, like pervasive stiffness, that interfere with shoulder function. 

Chiropractic treatment helps realign your spine and relieve nerve impingements, optimizing circulation and movement in your back, neck, and shoulders.

Relief for morning shoulder pain

No amount of shoulder pain is normal. If you’re having shoulder discomfort in the morning or at any time, having it evaluated is the first step toward relieving pain and preventing more serious complications, like permanent joint damage.

To find out what’s causing your shoulder pain and how we can help relieve it, request an appointment online or over the phone with the Kerinver Chiropractic team in Kissimmee and Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida, today.