How To Sleep With Tennis Elbow

If you’re living with tennis elbow, you know that it’s not just a painful condition, as it can also interfere with your sleep. Trying to get comfortable in bed can be a challenge when your arm is sore. But don’t despair – there are lots of things you can do to help ease the pain and make it easier to get a good night’s rest. Read on to learn how to sleep with tennis elbow.

Why Does My Elbow Hurt When I'm Sleeping?

As your tendon has been injured from repetitive movement, you may still feel pain even if your elbow isn't active during the night. Tendons can take a long time to heal naturally due to their restricted blood flow and poorer circulation. Our muscles and connective tissues may become tight or rigid when we are sleeping since there is less movement in this state along with decreased circulation of the blood. Furthermore, the way you sleep can add strain and worsen your pain. For example, sleeping on the injured arm, extending it above your head while in bed, and rolling onto it will exacerbate the pain.

Choose The Right Pillow 

One of the most important things you can do when dealing with tennis elbow is to choose a pillow that will help support your arm while you sleep. It may be helpful to try out different types of pillows, such as memory foam or down feather pillows until you find the one that works best for you. You may also want to consider buying an ergonomic pillow specifically designed to alleviate pressure on your joints and muscles while sleeping. 

Change Positions Regularly 

The best way to avoid putting too much pressure on your elbow is to switch positions regularly throughout the night. If you normally sleep on your side, try sleeping on your back or stomach for part of the night. Switching positions will reduce stress on your joint while still allowing you to get the restful sleep your body needs. 

Elevate Your Arm 

Sleeping with your arm elevated above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area, which in turn reduces pain levels when you wake up in the morning. You can elevate your arm by using extra pillows or wedges to keep it raised all night long.

Use Cold Therapy 

Cold therapy is an effective way to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area. An easy way to incorporate cold therapy into your bedtime routine is by resting your affected elbow on a cooling pillowcase or applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth directly to your elbow for 10-15 minutes before you go to bed. This will help keep your arm cool and reduce inflammation overnight, helping you get a better night's sleep.

Take OTC Medication

Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide temporary relief from tennis elbow pain and inflammation during sleep time. Talk to your doctor about what medications are best for you, as well as proper dosage information, before taking any medication for pain relief purposes only. Keep in mind that these drugs are not meant as long-term solutions; they will only provide temporary relief from discomfort during sleep time until you find a more permanent solution such as physical therapy or surgery if necessary.

Living with tennis elbow can be a challenge, especially when it comes to getting comfortable in bed. However, by taking the right precautions and making some simple changes to your sleep routine, you can make sleeping with tennis elbow more bearable. Consider using an ergonomic pillow or applying cold therapy before bedtime, changing positions throughout the night and elevating your arm above heart level while sleeping. Additionally, talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medications that may provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation during sleep time. With these steps in place, you should be able to get a good night's rest despite living with tennis elbow.

---

Play Tennis Better

---