Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
How to turn in bed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Step-by-step guides for turning in bed when you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Practical methods from real bed mobility guides.
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.
Key steps
- 1.Free a tightly tucked top sheet 10–15 cm at waist/hip level before you try to resettle.
- 2.Smooth wrinkles under your ribs and hip; microfiber grabs most where it’s folded.
- 3.Hug a pillow to stop the top shoulder from collapsing forward onto the down-side shoulder.
- 4.Place a pillow between knees high enough to support the knee and lower thigh (not just ankles).
- 5.Shift hips 2–3 cm backward before lowering your chest to redistribute pressure to ribcage and hip.
- 6.Lower ribs first, then let the shoulder follow—avoid shoulder-first contact.
- 7.Bend the down-side elbow slightly and bring the forearm forward to reduce shoulder jamming.
- 8.If you keep tipping forward, add a thin pillow behind the upper back as a backstop.
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.
In-depth guides
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sleep Comfort
How to Safely Turn and Move Your Loved One in Bed Without Causing Skin Tears or Excess Pain
Caring for someone at home with fragile skin or limited mobility means every turn in bed needs to be gentle, planned, and low-friction. This guide gives clear, step-by-step methods to help you turn and reposition your partner, parent, or adult child while protecting their skin and reducing pain. It also explains how to safely use the Snoozle Slide Sheet as a low-friction aid for repositioning in bed, without lifting or risky transfers.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
What pillow position takes pressure off the shoulder when side sleeping?▼
Hug a pillow in front of your chest to prevent the top shoulder from rolling forward, and place a pillow between your knees to stop the pelvis from twisting. This keeps your torso stacked so pressure redistributes across ribs and hip instead of focusing on the shoulder.
Do microfiber sheets make it harder to reposition without shoulder pain?▼
Yes—microfiber often increases drag during sideways scoots, so you stop mid-turn and sink onto the shoulder. Smoothing wrinkles under your ribs/hip and freeing a tight top sheet at the waist makes the move glide instead of stall.
Should my painful shoulder be on top or on the mattress?▼
Many people tolerate the painful shoulder better on top so it isn’t the main load point, but some prefer the painful side down with careful pillow blocking and a ribs-first settle. Use the position where the shoulder is least likely to become the pivot point during the resettle.
How do I stop my top shoulder from collapsing forward when I’m on my side?▼
Put a pillow in front of your chest to hold so your top arm has support and your top shoulder can’t drop forward. If you still tip forward, add a thin backstop pillow behind your upper back to keep you slightly off-true-side.
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.