As people get older, they often complain of going to bed feeling fine but then waking up with new pain. And oftentimes, this pain is in their shoulders. If you can relate, you’re probably wondering what’s going on and if you should chalk it up to age or something else. The answer: there’s likely something else going on.

There are the normal aches and pains that come with aging, but if you’re struggling to brush your teeth, wash your hair in the shower or put on clothes, your shoulder pain has a cause. Below are some of the most common reasons why your shoulders are hurting in the mornings.

Sleep Position

If you have no history of shoulder problems and you suddenly woke up with shoulder pain, your sleeping position likely is to blame. People who sleep on their side frequently sleep on their shoulders and this can cause the rotator cuff tendons or shoulder bursae to become pinched.

You may not notice the pain right away, but if this happens, an inflammatory response is triggered. The good news is that this pain typically decreases after 48 hours. If the pain doesn’t go away, schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist.

Frozen Shoulder

Another potential cause of shoulder pain is frozen shoulder. This condition can appear to come out of nowhere and begin a cycle of pain and stiffness. Left untreated, frozen shoulder can take a very long time to heal. The best treatments for frozen shoulder include steroid injections, medications, physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis is a common source of pain in the shoulder. It happens when the rotator cuff tendons become irritated or damaged. While this type of tendinitis most frequently occurs in athletes who require lifting their arm over their head (swimmers, tennis players, pitchers), it can happen to anyone without any known cause.

The best treatments for rotator cuff tendinitis include avoiding the activities that cause you pain, applying cold packs to the affected area and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the shoulder happens when something presses against a nerve coming from the neck. You can often tell the difference between this type of pain and other pain because the symptoms are different. Instead of pain or stiffness, a pinched nerve in the shoulder can cause muscle weakness, numbness, tingling and neck pain.

Shoulder Arthritis

It’s also possible to get arthritis in your shoulder. If the joints become inflamed, they can be stiff and painful. Shoulder arthritis commonly refers to the bigger ball-and-socket joint. When the cartilage breaks down on the surface, it will eventually attack the deeper layers, leading to arthritis. The best treatments for shoulder arthritis are lifestyle modifications, pain control and steroid injections.

Treat Shoulder Pain at Jersey Rehab

These are some of the most common reasons why your shoulders are paining you in the mornings. If you are experiencing this pain, schedule an appointment with Jersey Rehab. Our pain management doctors will provide you with a formal diagnosis and treatment plan that reduces pain, relieves stiffness and improves range of motion. Most importantly, you can wake pain-free!