When we think of “rotator cuff injuries” what comes to mind is probably usually sports players like baseball pitchers and ended playing careers. We think of surguries to repair major shoulder damage and permanant problems with the shoulder.
We also probably all have had problems with our shoulders or know friends and relatives who do. The area known as the rotator cuff is a major part of the shoulder, which is a major part of our upper body. The shoulder is most often the part of our body that first absorbs shock when we fall and is very susceptible to damage to blunt trauma. Therefor damage of some kind to some part of our rotator cuff is very common.But the most common type of rotator cuff injury is also one that quite often does not require surgery, and can often be cured with light resistance excercises as well as changes in certain habits, such as sleeping.
Sometimes a physical trauma to the shoulder will cause a syndrone where the shoulder sort of “catches” on itself when it is moved. Most people can feel a “clicking” feeling or even sound when moving the shoulder in a certain way. This condition can be slightly uncomfortable or very painful depending on the severity of the original injury and the syndrone. If the problem is severe enough, surgury might certainly be required to repair physical damage. But often with the least severe cases of shoulder impingement syndrone simple excercise to “retrain” the shoulder to move in less destruct ways can fix the problem.
As for sleeping pattens, they can serve to block our ability to get over a shoulder injury. Sleeping habits that by themselves may not hurt our shoulders, will aggravate a problem caused by trauma. You might feel like you just aren’t getting better despite physical therapy, etc.
So pay attention to your sleep habits when you have shoulder problems. These tips can be very helpful:
1) Sleep with no more then one pillow under your head. Many people it helpful when sleeping on their side to sleep with one pillow under the head, while “hugging” another pillow against their side.
2) Don’t sleep with your arms above your head on the bed. Always keep your arms below your head. It always helps with lessening aggravation to the shoulder.
Try these things. They sure beat surgery!