Am I in pain because I "slept wrong

Factual Questions
1

Throwing this one out to the teeming millions…
This morning I have shooting pains running from my neck down into my shoulder and right arm. I have experienced this before, though not for a while, and I was always told it was because I had “slept wrong”.

Is this the case? Did I stretch out in some strange position last night and pull a muscle? Or is there another cause?

More importantly, what can I do to relieve this annoying pain? Tylenol and aspirin have not proven successful in the past.

Any other dopers ever experience this?

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

MH

2

I don’t claim to be a physician, nor to play one on TV. I occasionally have pains similar to the ones you describe; we always referred to the problem as a “pinched nerve,” but I think real pinched nerves are more serious and longer-lived. I eventually figured out that what happens for me is that while I am turning over in my sleep I am using my head (“bridging” for you wrestling types) and apparently pulling a muscle in my neck and/or shoulder. Aleve helps me a lot; if you use Tylenol or aspirin, that should at least take the edge off the pain. If you have the same problem I have, the best thing to do is just to go about your business; the pain usually only lasts a couple of days. A nice back/neck rub might help, too.

I’m sure someone will be along momentarily to list some of the other possibilities. In the meantime, my condolences to you. It’s not a whole lot of fun.
RR

3

I have a chronic muscle problem that sometimes flares up into what you describe. Even if it’s unlikely that “sleeping wrong” can cause pain in a healthy shoulder (not that I’d know), but if you have ever pulled or strained the muscle, it certainly could leave you open to this problem. So can chronic poor posture. I got my greatest relief from a sports-oriented physical therapist; he did some incredibly painful thing that made my back and shoulder feel better, and he gave me some exercises and advice that hepled tremendously (though not as much as following his advice would have!).

4

Thanks for the replies.

It’s interesting that you mention your chronic problem. The pain is in my right shoulder, which I have pulled\strained before, though not for years. I always thought it was caused by not sleeping right, but on reflection, I wonder if it could be caused by stress?

5

I’d wager you just slept in a somewhat awkward position as regards your neck and arm. A muscle which has been strained before may be more susceptible to this form of injury, but many people wake up with “kinks” in otherwise healthy necks. It’s a design flaw.

QtM, MD