Just as people have different behavior and body language, people also have their unique sleeping habits. Whether you are a tummy sleeper or a back sleeper, your sleeping positions matter to your overall health. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, as you get older and start experiencing more health issues, the way you sleep will also become a considerable factor. Some ways your sleeping position may affect you are back and neck pain, sometimes sleeping while facing up can cause you to wake up with low back pain and soreness. Your sleeping position may also cause obstructive sleep apnea to flare up and collapse. Side sleeping is a sleeping position where one sleep on either the right side or the left side of their body. According to the Sleep Foundation, it is actually a great position for people who suffer with sleep apnea as it allows easier breathing and keeps your airways open. Also, it's good for your spine because it helps keep it in a straight line, which can prevent back pain. Plus, if you have acid reflux, sleeping on your side can help keep stomach acid from coming back up into your throat. But, there's a downside too, the Sleep foundation explains that you might start to feel pain in your shoulder because you're putting all your weight on one side for hours at a time, which can get uncomfortable.Is Side Sleeping Causing You Shoulder Pain?In a 2024 study published in Arthroscopy Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation, researchers explored the connection between how people sleep and if they have torn rotator cuff muscles in their shoulders. According to American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) a torn rotator cuff is when one or more tendons in the shoulder's rotator cuff group are torn, causing them to detach from the bone, leading to pain and limited arm mobility.Researchers looked at 58 patients who had significant rotator cuff tears, either partial or full, confirmed by imaging tests. These were people whose shoulder pain came on slowly or from everyday wear and tear, not from a sudden injury. The researchers asked them about their preferred sleeping position: side, back, or stomach.The study found that 52 of the 58 patients slept on their sides. Only 4 slept on their stomachs, 1 on their back, and 1 used all positions. Statistical analysis showed a strong link between sleeping on your side and having a rotator cuff tear. The study concluded that people who prefer to sleep on their side are more likely to have rotator cuff tears.How to Relieve Shoulder Pain From Side SleepingChange Your Sleeping PositionThe best way to avoid shoulder pain is to sleep on your back. You can use pillows to support yourself and keep you from rolling onto your side.Shoulder ExercisesDoing exercises that move your shoulder in different ways and strengthen the muscles around it can help reduce pain and improve flexibility.Apply Heat or IceIf your shoulder is stiff, heat can help loosen it up. If it's swollen, ice can help reduce the swelling and pain.Use Pillows for SupportIf you have to sleep on your side, make sure you're using pillows to support your arm and shoulder. Don't sleep with your arm tucked under you or over your head, as this puts extra pressure on your shoulder.See Your Doctor If your shoulder hurts a lot after sleeping, especially if you feel numbness going down your arm, you should see a doctor. They can check to see if there's a serious problem, like a disc problem in your neck.