How Do You Sleep With A Broken Shoulder

So, there I was, minding my own business, when suddenly, I found myself in a rather uncomfortable situation. I'd taken a tumble while trying to impress my friends with my newfound skateboarding skills (yeah, yeah, I know, I'm 30, I should've known better). Long story short, I ended up with a broken shoulder. Now, I'm not one to complain, but let me tell you, sleeping with a broken shoulder is no walk in the park. So, I thought I'd share my experiences and some tips I picked up along the way. Because, you know, misery loves company. Just kidding, I just want to help out my fellow shoulder-injury sufferers.

First Things First: The Pain

Alright, let's address the elephant in the room. Sleeping with a broken shoulder hurts. A lot. Like, a lot a lot. The first few nights were a blur of pain, tears, and my poor partner trying to figure out how to spoon without causing me agony. If you're in this situation, just know, it's normal. Your body is healing, and that process isn't always comfortable. But there are ways to make it a bit more bearable.

Medication: Your New Best Friend

Painkillers will become your new best friend. Your doctor will likely prescribe something to help manage the pain. Make sure to take them as directed. I know, I know, you're tough, you can handle it. But trust me, you'll sleep better if you're not in constant pain. Just remember to keep track of when you took them, so you don't accidentally double dose. Nobody wants a sleepy, loopy, pain-free zombie on their hands.

Finding the Perfect Sleeping Position

This is where things get tricky. Finding a comfortable sleeping position with a broken shoulder is like trying to find a needle in a haystack... while wearing a blindfold... and doing the Macarena. But fear not, fellow sleeper, I've found a few positions that worked for me.

The Reclined Position

This is my personal favorite. It's basically like you're sitting in a recliner, but in bed. You'll need a few pillows to prop up your back and keep your injured arm elevated. It might feel a bit weird at first, but it's worth it for the pain relief. Just make sure to keep your arm supported and not let it dangle. Trust me, you don't want to wake up in the middle of the night with a jolt of pain because you moved your arm in your sleep.

The Side Sleeping Position

If you're a side sleeper, you can still sleep on your good side. Just make sure to keep your injured arm supported and not let it get trapped under you. You can use a pillow to support your arm and keep it from moving around too much. I found that sleeping with a body pillow helped keep my arm in place and provided some extra support for my back.

The Back Sleeping Position

Sleeping on your back can be a bit tricky, but it's doable. You'll want to keep your injured arm elevated and supported. I found that using a pillow under my elbow and another pillow to support my arm helped keep the pain at bay. You can also try using a wedge pillow to elevate your entire upper body. Just make sure to keep your head supported as well, you don't want to wake up with a stiff neck on top of everything else.

Other Tips and Tricks

Alright, so we've covered the basics of sleeping with a broken shoulder. But there are a few other tips and tricks I picked up along the way that might help make your nights a bit more bearable.

How To Sleep With A Broken Shoulder?

Ice, Ice Baby

I know, I know, you're trying to sleep, not have a spa day. But trust me, icing your shoulder before bed can help reduce pain and swelling. Just make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel first, you don't want to give yourself a brain freeze. Or worse, freeze your shoulder even more.

Keep it Cool

Speaking of keeping things cool, make sure your bedroom is nice and cool as well. Heat can increase inflammation, which can lead to more pain. So, keep the thermostat on the cooler side and make sure your bedding is breathable. I found that sleeping with just a light sheet on top of me was enough to keep me comfortable.

Stay Active (Within Reason)

I know, I know, you're injured, you want to rest. But trust me, staying active (within reason) can actually help speed up your recovery. Just make sure to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. Your doctor or physical therapist can give you some exercises that are safe for you to do. Just remember, no sudden movements, no heavy lifting, and no showing off your newfound skateboarding skills (yeah, I'm still salty about that one).

And Finally, Be Patient

I know it's easier said than done, but try to be patient with yourself. Healing takes time, and it's okay to have bad days. Just remember to take it easy, listen to your body, and don't rush your recovery. You'll be back to your old self in no time.

And there you have it, folks. My guide to sleeping with a broken shoulder. I hope it helps, and I hope you're back to your old sleeping habits in no time. Sweet dreams!