Should I Sleep with a Shoulder Compression Brace on

Wearing a shoulder compression brace while sleeping can help stabilize the shoulder and reduce pain, but it’s essential to adjust its tightness to avoid restricting blood circulation. Side sleepers may benefit from using a supportive pillow to enhance comfort and reduce shoulder pressure.

Benefits of Wearing It

There are, however, certain practical benefits to sleeping while wearing a double shoulder brace, especially in instances when one has suffered a shoulder injury or is in the post-recovery stages. A shoulder compression brace primarily serves to offer support and stability to prevent further injury or exacerbation of pain from poor posture at night. These unconscious actions, such as turning over and applying pressure to the shoulder while sleeping, may be harmful in cases of inflammation, strains, or other types of injury. The movement of your shoulder is well-managed by this brace, which restricts improper movements, thereby reducing pain and minimizing stress on muscles and ligaments.

It can also provide a shoulder compression brace to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness. Due to light compression from this brace, it will provide the required pressure in the injured area, which can help promote blood flow around the injured area to some extent, thereby accelerating the healing process. For those who must be confined to bed for an extended period, the act of putting on a brace can help prevent the shoulders from becoming stiff and alleviate morning soreness. It offers better protection for the shoulder and allows it to rest a little more at night, thereby speeding up the recovery process by wearing a shoulder compression brace.

Comfort vs. Pain

The comfort level when wearing a shoulder compression brace varies among individuals. Some people may believe that wearing one raises their comfort because the support it gives keeps the shoulder in a fixed position, which reduces pain that may arise from turning over. This is particularly helpful for those who have undergone surgery or sustained a serious injury, as a brace can prevent painful movements during sleep and consequently save them from being woken up unnecessarily.

Some people find it uncomfortable to wear a brace. This is probably the reason why the compression brace restricts the normal motion of the shoulder, making it less flexible while overturning or changing positions, even producing a sensation of "constraint." This discomfort may be most noticeable for subjects who used to sleep on their side or frequently change their posture. Additionally, comfort also depends on the material of the brace and how tightly it is adjusted. Poor blood circulation caused by a too-tight brace may result in stiff or even numb shoulders. Thus, the right choice of brace and adjustment of its tightness may be crucial to avoid straying from comfort to pain when wearing a brace.

Nighttime Tips

To feel as comfortable and efficient as possible while sleeping in a shoulder compression brace, follow these tips. First, choose an appropriate pillow. For patients with a shoulder injury, sleeping on the side may significantly increase discomfort; therefore, choosing a moderately high pillow can support the head properly and reduce pressure on the shoulder area. Consider using a pillow designed to support both sides, with the purpose of minimizing pressure on the shoulders while lying flat.

Keep the tightness of the brace loose before going to sleep. Many people may be accustomed to a tighter fit when wearing a brace during daytime activities, but nighttime should be another story—the brace should not be too tight; otherwise, it can affect blood circulation and even result in numbness in the shoulder area. Hence, you can loosen the brace before going to bed to ensure that the shoulders are supported while blood flow is smooth.

It is also beneficial to maintain a moderate room temperature. Most of these shoulder compression braces tend to emit heat; hence, raising the temperature excessively could trigger more sweating, which would be very uncomfortable. If the temperature is just right, then the brace wouldn't be too cold or hot; hence, the comfort is warranted. These are ways to ensure a relatively comfortable sleeping experience at night.

When to Avoid

While a Fivali shoulder compression brace may be helpful to many people during the nighttime, this is not necessarily the case for everyone. There are instances when it is not advisable to wear them when sleeping. First and foremost, these are, in general, not needed for mild conditions of the shoulders, wherein serious injury is not called for. In cases where one only suffers from occasional muscle soreness or temporary discomfort caused by overexertion, symptoms can often be relieved with adequate rest and proper care, without needing to resort to a brace.

If the shoulder injury is in its later recovery stage, where a course of regaining mobility and flexibility has already begun, then the brace may no longer be required. The long-term use of braces keeps the muscles of the shoulder relaxed, without allowing any autonomous movement, which can result in muscle weakening. Thus, this is usually a crucial period for restoring the range of motion and strength in the shoulder. Therefore, reducing dependency on the brace with a gradual increase in activities can help one recover shoulder function more quickly and thoroughly.

Others, on the other hand, turn around frequently or change positions while sleeping, and a brace may get in the way or even disrupt sleep quality. In cases where there is absolutely no harm in not wearing it, it would be better to acknowledge one's own needs so that comfort isn't put in jeopardy.

Proper Fit

It is essential to ensure that you choose the right shoulder compression brace, as the fit will directly influence its effectiveness. When you purchase it, you will want to select the correct size of the brace, depending on your shoulder dimensions and other body features, so that it isn't too loose or too tight, effectively offering support and protection. If it is too tight, it can cause pain in the shoulder and impede blood flow; if it is too loose, it does not provide sufficient stabilization.

Put it on and adjust the straps—the design of the brace will allow you to reach a point where it stabilizes your shoulder without applying pressure. Some are designed to be more complex and might require several securing straps or auxiliary securing devices. For those, it would be best if one could learn the correct method of putting it on from a doctor or professional to ensure the position and tightness of the brace are ideal.

Cleaning the brace is another crucial step. When worn for a long time, it will accumulate sweat and skin oils, making the brace uncomfortable and unhygienic. Regular cleaning of the brace keeps it clean and prolongs its usable lifetime. You can use warm water and mild detergent for cleaning. Bleach or hot water should not be used, as it may affect the material or function of the brace.

Long-term Effects

The long-term use of a shoulder compression brace may create some effects on the shoulder. If the shoulder is injured, during the initial period, the brace offers very good support, prevents further injury, and aids in recovery. If use is excessive over a prolonged period, it may lead to atrophy and weakening of the muscles in the shoulder. This is because the brace assumes some of the supporting role of the shoulder, and as such, the shoulder muscles do not receive enough exercise, which, over time, reduces their strength.

Wearing the brace for an extended period could also be expected to affect the mobility of the shoulder joint. If the shoulder remains in one position for an extended period, the joint's flexibility may be affected and even lead to stiffness. Thus, to avoid joint stiffness, physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises are recommended in conjunction with wearing the brace, which can help regain the normal range of motion.

Patients suffering from shoulder injuries should wear braces consistently during the early recovery stages. In the mid-to-late recovery stages, brace wear should be gradually reduced while increasing activity in the shoulder to achieve muscle strength and joint flexibility. This can effectively avoid the long-term adverse effects of the brace.

Doctor’s Advice

The doctor will be in a better position to advise based on the patient's condition, the severity of the injury, and the patient's current phase of recovery. In the case of those who have undergone shoulder surgery or suffered severe injuries, doctors advise them on the frequency and duration of wearing a brace.

Doctors check the shoulder recovery process and advise on the type and proper use of the brace. Depending on the recovery rate, a doctor will always advise a gradual release from using the braces to allow the shoulder time to return to its regular movements. A doctor may continue to advise on the use of the brace at night to ensure the shoulder is well protected during rest.