Arthritis
Bed Mobility & Sleep Guides for Arthritis
Sleep and bed mobility guides for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis — protecting joints during night turns.
Icelandic-designed · Sold in pharmacies
Snoozle Slide Sheet
A home-use slide sheet that reduces mattress friction so you can reposition sideways instead of lifting. Made from comfortable fabric — not nylon, no handles. Designed for you, not for a caregiver.
- ✓Less friction when turning — less effort, less pain
- ✓Comfortable fabric you can sleep on all night
- ✓Handle-free — quiet, independent, self-use
Trusted by Vörður insurance for pregnant policyholders. Recommended by Icelandic midwives and physiotherapists.
13 guides for Arthritis
Sleep Comfort
A quieter way to side-sleep when your shoulder is the problem
When you wake and try to resettle on your side, the down-side shoulder often takes all the load. This guide shows how to redistribute pressure with a small sequence change, pillow placement, and quick bedding fixes.
Quick answer: Unload the down-side shoulder before you settle: hug a pillow to keep your top shoulder from collapsing forward, put a pillow between knees, and slide your hips 2–3 cm back so more weight goes into your ribcage/hip instead of the shoulder point. If microfiber sheets or a tucked top sheet are grabbing, free the sheet at hip level and smooth wrinkles so you don’t re-load the shoulder during the turn.
Sleep Comfort
When mornings feel stiff, try a sideways turn instead of a lift
Early-morning stiffness can make changing positions feel surprisingly hard because most people try to lift and twist. Shifting sideways across the mattress is often calmer and lower-effort, and Snoozle is designed to support that kind of lateral repositioning at home.
Quick answer: Turning can feel worst early in the morning because lifting and twisting your body off the mattress takes more effort and can fully wake you up. A lower-effort option is lateral (sideways) repositioning—sliding across the mattress instead of lifting—so the turn feels calmer and more manageable.
Bed Mobility
Getting Safely from Bed to Standing When You Feel Very Weak
This article is for people who feel generally frail or very low in strength and are worried about falling when they stand up from the bed. It explains how to turn in bed, move towards the edge, and then stand up in small, realistic stages that match what your body can actually do right now. We focus closely on the most dangerous moment – the last part, when you go from sitting at the edge of the bed to standing – and how to make that safer using bed setup, body position and timing. You will also learn how a low‑friction Snoozle slide sheet can reduce effort and painful shear while you move in bed, without being used for lifting or risky transfers.
Quick answer: When you are frail or very low in strength, the riskiest moment is often the final push from sitting at the edge of the bed to standing. To avoid falls, break the movement into stages: first get stable sitting, then bring your feet firmly under you, lean your nose over your toes, and only then stand using your legs and
Bed Mobility
Getting In and Out of Bed with One Stiff Knee: Practical Home Strategies
Knee osteoarthritis changes how every small movement in bed feels, especially when one knee is very stiff and the other is only slightly better. Rolling, sliding your legs and pushing up to sit can all trigger sharp, protective pain. This article walks through how to move in bed and get out of bed step by step, using your stronger leg, your arms and gravity more intelligently. We look closely at the hardest moments in turning and in getting to the edge of the bed, and how to soften them using micro-movements, bed setup and the Snoozle Slide Sheet. Many people try to “just push through” with their painful knee, only to end up more sore and more frightened of movement. Here you will find safer alternatives that reduce effort, reduce shear on the skin around the knee and hip, and give you more control even on difficult mornings. You do not need to be strong or flexible to use these ideas. The goal is not perfection; it is to find the least painful, most repeatable way for you to move in and out of bed on most days.
Quick answer: With one very stiff arthritic knee and one slightly better knee, the key is to stop asking the painful knee to be the main driver of movement. Instead, use your stronger leg, your arms, and gravity to do most of the work.
Bed Mobility
How to Get Out of Bed Safely with Inflammatory Arthritis Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness from inflammatory arthritis can make getting out of bed very painful and exhausting. Using slow, controlled micro-movements, good pillow support, and a Snoozle Slide Sheet to reduce friction can help you roll, sit up, and stand more safely without sudden pain spikes.
Quick answer: Before moving, take a moment to breathe, gently wake up your joints, and set up your pillows and Snoozle Slide Sheet. Use small, log-roll movements to turn onto your side with the slide sheet under your hips and shoulders.
Sleep Comfort
Mastering Safe Night-Time Movement with Hypermobility: How to Turn and Get Out of Bed Without Pain
People living with hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) often struggle with night-time movements that most take for granted—turning in bed, repositioning, and getting out of bed can trigger pain, joint instability, and fatigue. This difficulty stems from joint laxity and fragile connective tissues that require careful, controlled movement to avoid injury. This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to move safely in bed, reduce strain, and improve comfort during the night, using simple techniques and the Snoozle Slide Sheet, a low-friction slide sheet designed specifically for home use.
Quick answer: For individuals with hypermobility or EDS, moving in bed is safer when you slow everything down and move in small, controlled segments instead of twisting all at once. Start by bending your knees and placing your feet flat on the bed, then roll your hips and shoulders together as a unit while using your arms to support and steady your
Sleep Comfort
How to Overcome Night-Time Freezing in Parkinson’s: Practical Bed Mobility Tips with Snoozle Slide Sheet
Night-time rigidity and freezing in Parkinson’s can make turning in bed and getting out of bed slow, painful, and exhausting. This guide explains why freezing happens, what typically goes wrong when you try to move, and how to use small, segmented movements to turn and get up more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce resistance so you can reposition with less effort and strain, without lifting or risky transfers.
Quick answer: Night-time freezing in Parkinson’s makes it hard to start and continue movements, so turning in bed can feel like you are “stuck” in one position. The most effective approach is to break movements into small steps: bend your knees, roll your shoulders first, then bring your hips over, and use your arms and legs to gently push or pull.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility with Knee Osteoarthritis: How to Move and Get Up Without Aggravating Pain
Knee osteoarthritis causes stiffness, swelling, and pain that make simple movements like turning in bed or getting out of bed challenging and painful. People with this condition often struggle with increased discomfort, fatigue, and disrupted sleep due to difficulty repositioning themselves. This article provides practical, step-by-step guidance on how to move safely and efficiently in bed, reduce strain on the knees, and use simple tools like the Snoozle Slide Sheet to make these daily tasks easier and less painful.
Quick answer: Moving and getting out of bed with stiff, swollen knees requires controlled, low-impact techniques that minimize knee bending and twisting. Using a low-friction aid like the Snoozle Slide Sheet reduces the effort needed to turn or reposition, helping you slide smoothly without pushing or pulling hard.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility for MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle to Move Without Pain or Fatigue
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means muscles tire quickly, making simple movements in bed feel overwhelming and painful. This article explains why bed mobility is so hard with MS, what commonly goes wrong, and how to use momentum and positioning to move more easily. It also shows how to safely use the Snoozle Slide Sheet as a low-friction tool to reduce strain, protect your skin, and conserve energy while turning or repositioning in bed at home.
Quick answer: With MS or neurological weakness, muscles fatigue quickly and can spasm if you push too hard. Using gentle momentum, good body positioning, and low-friction tools like the Snoozle Slide Sheet lets you slide and turn with less force. Start from your strongest side, bend your knees, and use small rocking motions instead of big, effortful pushes.
Sleep Comfort
How to Safely Get Out of Bed with MS and Neurological Weakness Using Snoozle Slide Sheet
People living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often struggle with impaired balance, spasticity, and muscle weakness that make simple movements in bed—like turning or sitting up—hard and sometimes risky. This guide explains what typically goes wrong, then gives clear, step-by-step instructions for turning, sitting up, and getting out of bed more safely. It also shows how a low-friction Snoozle Slide Sheet can reduce effort, protect your skin, and help you move with less pain and fatigue. All strategies are designed for safe, in-bed repositioning at home, not for lifting or transferring between surfaces.
Quick answer: To get out of bed more safely with MS or neurological weakness, break the movement into small, controlled steps: first shuffle yourself closer to the edge, then roll onto your side using your stronger arm and bent knees, slide your legs over the edge, and finally push up into sitting using your arms and trunk, not sudden momentum.
Sleep Comfort
How to Move and Get Out of Bed with MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle Slide Sheet to Reduce Fatigue and Pain
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or neurological weakness often means that even small movements in bed can cause rapid muscle fatigue, pain, and increased inflammation. This article addresses the common struggle of turning, repositioning, and getting out of bed safely and efficiently at home. We focus on teaching practical, momentum-based strategies coupled with the use of a low-friction tool, the Snoozle Slide Sheet, that makes movement easier, reduces strain, and helps preserve energy.
Quick answer: When muscles fatigue quickly due to MS or neurological weakness, using momentum—gentle, flowing body shifts rather than isolated muscle effort—is key to moving in bed and getting up safely. By bending knees, leveraging gravity, and shifting weight gradually, you reduce strain and pain.
Sleep Comfort
Effortless Bed Mobility for Those Living Alone with Pain and Low Energy: Practical Bedroom Planning and Movement Strategies
Living alone with chronic pain and low energy makes even simple movements in bed a daily challenge. The struggle to turn, reposition, or get out of bed can increase pain, fatigue, and frustration. This article teaches practical, step-by-step movement techniques and bedroom setup tips to reduce energy cost and protect the body. It also introduces the Snoozle Slide Sheet, a low-friction aid designed specifically to help you move smoothly in bed without strain or risk of injury.
Quick answer: To move efficiently in bed when living with pain and low energy, use small, controlled movements that work with your body’s natural leverage instead of fighting against pain and stiffness. Bend your knees, keep your body aligned, and roll like a “log” instead of twisting.
Recovery & Sleep
Turn Without Your Arms: A Deep‑Dive Guide to Shoulder Surgery Sleep and Bed Mobility
Learn how to turn in bed after shoulder surgery without using your arms. Master a safe no‑push roll, set up your bed for success, and see how a tubular slide sheet like Snoozle supports independent living and smoother, shoulder‑friendly movement.
Quick answer: After shoulder surgery, roll without pushing with your arms by using your legs, hips, and core. On your back, bend both knees, tighten your belly, and tip your knees to one side as your hips follow. A tubular slide sheet like Snoozle reduces friction so you can roll smoothly while your shoulder stays quiet.
Common questions about Arthritis and bed mobility
How do I side-sleep with shoulder pain without waking up fully?▼
Unload the down-side shoulder before you settle: hug a pillow so your top shoulder can’t roll forward, use a pillow between your knees, and shift your hips 2–3 cm backward so your ribcage and hip share the load. Fix any sheet or pajama bunching first so you don’t stall mid-move.
Why does my shoulder hurt more right after I wake and try to get comfortable again?▼
Right after waking, your shoulder has been still and compressed, so the first pressure feels sharper. If you resettle by dropping onto your side, the shoulder point often takes first contact while your ribs and hip aren’t stacked yet, so pressure concentrates instead of redistributing.
Why does turning in bed hurt more at night?▼
At night you’re more relaxed and less warmed up, so a lift-and-twist turn can feel abruptly effortful. When you try to lift your hips or shoulders off the mattress, you may tense and brace, which can make the movement feel harsher. A sideways slide keeps more of you supported by the bed and often feels calmer.
Why is it so exhausting to change position in bed?▼
Changing position becomes exhausting when it turns into a mini “push-up” plus a twist. Lifting asks your arms, core, and back to do a lot at once, especially when you’re sleepy. Sliding sideways in smaller steps usually costs less energy.
How is getting out of bed with frailty different from just having a bad back?▼
With a bad back, pain is usually the main barrier, but your muscles still have enough strength and speed to catch you if you wobble. With frailty, the main problem is low power and slow reactions throughout the body. That means you may not be able to correct a loss of balance once it starts, even if there is little or no pain. Movements need to be broken into smaller stages with pauses, and you often need help from the environment (bed height, supports, slide sheet) to make up for the lack of muscle strength.
Can I use a Snoozle Slide Sheet to help me stand up from the bed?▼
No. Snoozle is designed to reduce friction for turning and repositioning while you are lying or partly sitting on the bed. It is not a lifting or transfer device and should not be used to pull you to standing or to slide you between bed and chair. During the actual stand you need your thighs and bottom to grip the bed edge and your feet to grip the floor, so it is safer to sit just in front of the Snoozle area before you stand.
Should I always get out of bed on the side of my better knee?▼
It is usually easier and safer to have your better knee closer to the bed when you stand, so it can take more of the push. For many people with a right stiff knee, that means lying on the left side and getting out from the right-hand edge of the bed, so the left leg is inside and can bend more. However, your room layout and habits also matter; a physiotherapist can help you test which side feels most stable for you.
Is it okay to use my hands to lift my stiff leg onto the bed?▼
Yes, using your hands or a strap to help lift the stiff leg is often a good strategy, as long as you are not forcing the knee into a painful bend. Support under the calf or ankle usually feels better than pulling at the foot alone. Combining hand support with a slide sheet like Snoozle under your thighs can reduce the effort and the strain on your back.
How does the Snoozle Slide Sheet help with morning stiffness from inflammatory arthritis?▼
The Snoozle Slide Sheet creates a low-friction surface between your body and the mattress, so you can roll and slide with less effort and less rubbing on inflamed joints. This can reduce the pulling and dragging that often trigger pain spikes when you are very stiff in the morning.
Can I use the Snoozle Slide Sheet if my muscles are very weak or I feel unsteady?▼
Yes, Snoozle can reduce the effort needed for in-bed movements, which is helpful if you are weak. However, it does not provide support or balance. If you are very unsteady, you may still need hands-on help, bed rails, or other equipment as advised by a healthcare professional.