At The Physiotherapists, we see the same story again and again across Brighton, Hove, Shoreham, Peacehaven, Portslade and Lewes: someone struggling with persistent back, neck, shoulder or other related muscle pain says, “I’m just not sleeping properly anymore.”
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone—and the toll it takes on your health is serious. Sleep deprivation caused by musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is more than frustrating: it can impact your mood, immune function, healing capacity, and quality of life.
The good news? Physiotherapy can help tackle the root of the pain, reduce night-time discomfort, and improve your ability to rest. In this blog, we explore the relationship between sleep and pain, the hidden dangers of long-term sleep disruption, and how working with a physiotherapist in your own home may be the most effective solution.
The Vicious Cycle of Pain and Sleep
Research shows that poor sleep makes pain worse—and pain makes sleep worse. This cycle, known in pain science as the pain-sleep connection, is a growing area of study.
One 2022 review published in the journal Nature and Science of Sleep confirms that sleep disturbance and chronic pain are deeply intertwined, each amplifying the other. Even a single night of poor sleep can lower your pain threshold the following day.
In the UK, The Sleep Charity reports that nearly half of adults experience poor sleep, and chronic pain is among the leading causes.
Conditions That Commonly Disrupt Sleep
Painful conditions that affect sleep include:
- Lower back pain – Often worse when lying flat or trying to change positions during the night.
- Neck pain – Poor pillow support or past injuries can make comfortable sleep positions difficult.
- Shoulder impingement or rotator cuff issues – Especially painful when lying on the affected side.
- Sciatica – Radiating leg pain can flare at night due to position or nerve irritation.
- Fibromyalgia – Often accompanied by non-restorative sleep and hypersensitivity to pressure.
Even conditions such as frozen shoulder or generalised muscle tension caused by stress can contribute to restless nights.
What Happens When You Don’t Sleep
Sleep is essential for recovery, both physically and mentally. Without it, your body’s ability to manage inflammation, regulate hormones, and repair tissue is compromised.
Consequences of sleep deprivation include:
- Increased pain sensitivity
- Weakened immune system
- Mood changes (anxiety, depression, irritability)
- Cognitive impairment (brain fog, poor memory)
- Higher risk of accidents and falls
A study published in BMJ Open found that poor sleep was linked to an increase in workplace injuries, particularly among those with ongoing MSK complaints.
Why Physiotherapy Can Help
You may have been prescribed medication or even told to “just get on with it.” But analgesics often only mask the symptoms—and don’t address the underlying cause. Pretty soon they can begin to be less effective, not to mention side effects like stomach issues, constipation and depression.
Physiotherapy provides a hands-on, movement-based approach to tackle both pain and the sleep issues it creates. Here’s how:
1. Identifying Pain Drivers
A physiotherapist can assess your movement, posture, muscle tension, and lifestyle to find the likely contributors to your pain.
2. Personalised Exercise Programme
Gentle stretching, strengthening, or mobility work can improve how your body feels during the day and rests at night.
3. Hands-On Therapy
Manual techniques may help reduce stiffness and pain before bedtime, promoting a more restful night.
4. Education & Sleep Hygiene Advice
We’ll show you how to adjust your sleeping posture, support painful areas, and create a nighttime routine that promotes deeper sleep.
5. Stress Reduction Through Movement
Regular movement reduces the impact of anxiety and depression—two common by-products of pain-related insomnia.
Home-Based Physio: The Most Comfortable Route to Sleep Recovery
When you’re already not sleeping, the idea of sitting in traffic or a busy waiting room can be exhausting.
That’s why our mobile physiotherapy service across Brighton and surrounding areas is ideal for those dealing with chronic pain and fatigue.
We assess and treat you in your own space, allowing us to:
- See how you sleep and move in your real environment
- Recommend adjustments to your bed, mattress, or pillow set-up
- Teach exercises in the exact space you’ll use them
It’s personal, private, and tailored to your lifestyle.
What the Evidence Says
Recent UK-based research supports physiotherapy for improving pain-related sleep issues:
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy highlights that physiotherapy interventions, including tailored exercise and advice, can significantly reduce MSK-related sleep disturbances.
- Sleep and sleep conditions | Topic | NICEelines for Low Back Pain recommend non-pharmacological treatments such as physiotherapy as the first line of defence.
- NHS Inform encourages physical activity and stress management as part of sleep recovery.
Real Impact on Real Lives
Clients who have worked with us to resolve pain often tell us the most unexpected benefit is finally being able to sleep again:
“After just three sessions, I slept through the night for the first time in months. It’s changed everything.”
“They spotted that my shoulder pain was made worse by how I was sleeping—and gave me simple solutions that actually worked.”
Pain may be disrupting your nights, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Sleep Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity
Don’t wait another night lying awake in pain.
Let The Physiotherapists help you break the cycle and get back to restful, healing sleep.
📍 Serving Brighton, Hove, Shoreham, Peacehaven, Lewes, and Portslade
💻 Book your at-home appointment now at www.thephysiotherapists.co.uk
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