The back pain in the morning may be due to a number of reasons that include poor sleeping position, a bad mattress, muscle tension or some health complications. The pain is in most instances short-term and ameliorates with appropriate care and changes in lifestyle. Nevertheless, unresolved Lower back pain after sleeping can be subject to medical care. This is possible by knowing the causes of morning back pain, the symptoms, and how to prevent it to ensure that you get up in the morning without any pain.
Common Causes of Morning Back Pain
It has a number of causes of people having Back pain after waking up. The first step will be to find the correct solution by identifying the cause.
Poor Sleeping Position
Sleeping position can have a great impact on spinal positioning. Morning stiffness and back pain can be caused by sleeping in ways that cause twists to the spine and put the muscles under severe strain.
Unsupportive Mattress
An old or a bad quality mattress can fail to give you the natural curve of your spine. One of the most prevalent causes of people waking up with discomfort is a mattress that causes them back pain.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain may be occasioned by the over-utilization of muscles during the day, heavy lifting, or abrupt movements. The result of this strain is that you may wake up in the morning stiff and sore.
Inability to Move during Sleep
During sleeping, your body stays in a single position over considerable intervals. When movement is limited, the muscles and joints tighten up resulting in stiff back in the morning.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The spinal discs become less hydrated and flexible as individuals get older. This may bring about discomfort or back pain following a sleep especially during the early morning.
Poor Posture During the Day
Poor sitting and working positions may exert pressure on the spine. In the long run, this strain may lead to morning back pain.
Symptoms to Pay Attention To
The back pain in the morning may be either acute or localized. Although mild stiffness is not problematic, some of the signs can be evidence of a problem.
Common symptoms include:
- Lower back stiffness on waking up.
- Pain which gets better with stretching or walking.
- Problem with bending or twisting in the morning.
- Spinal muscle contraction.
- Waking back pain that takes several minutes or hours.
The symptoms to be considered more closely are:
- Continuous pain that fails to relieve itself at day time.
- Radiating pain to the legs or hips.
- Tingling or numbness
- Excruciating pain in everyday life.
Medical assessment might be required in case these symptoms persist or deteriorate in a few days.
When to See a Doctor?
Back pain in the morning is occasional and is normally not of a serious nature. Nevertheless, you are advised to see a doctor in case of experiencing:
- Excessive or chronic lower back pain following sleep.
- Sustained pain of greater than a few weeks.
- The presence of pain that is accompanied by fever or unexplained weight loss.
- Leg numbness, tingling or weakness.
- Problems standing, walking or daily activity.
These symptoms can be signs of a condition in the spinal region or nerve issue and it needs a professional cure.
Read More: Lower Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
How to Relieve Morning Back Pain?
Back pain in the morning and the lack of spinal comfort are reduced in several ways.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching upon waking up can be done with gentle stretching of the stiffness of the muscles and enhance blood flow. Basic stretches are useful in alleviating stiff back in the morning.
Improve Sleep Quality
Sleeping well will enable the body to refresh and rejuvenate muscles. Regular sleeping pattern can alleviate waking up back pain.
Use Heat Therapy
A warm shower or a warm compress would be effective to loosen tight muscles and decrease pain.
Maintain Proper Posture
The daytime posture will take the stress off the spine and avoid the pain the following morning.
Replace Your Mattress
Your pain may be due to your mattress that is either too old or that is unsupportive. Mattress causing back pain can be avoided by selecting the right mattress.
Gentle Morning Movement
Possible solution is to walk or perform light activity upon waking up to help in relieving stiffness and build flexibility.
Best Sleeping Positions for Back Pain
The sleeping position and back pain are closely interconnected. Proper spinal positioning in bed can help avoid the pains in the morning.
Sleeping on Your Back
Lying with the pillow under the knees is helpful in keeping the natural curvature of the spine.
Sleeping on Your Side
Lying on your side supported by a bowl of pillow between your knees may ensure the hips and spine are kept straight.
Avoid Sleeping on Your Stomach
When you sleep on your stomach, this puts strain on the neck and spine, and in most cases results in you waking up with back pains.
Prevention Tips for Back Pain
The prevention of morning back pain includes changing daily habits and the quality of sleep.
Some prevention tips that are of use are:
- Have a healthy sleeping position.
- Apply pillow and a supportive mattress.
- Stretch on a regular basis to make muscles flexible.
- Sit in a proper posture and work.
- Exercise the back muscles by staying physically active.
- Do not lift heavy or make unsuitable movements.
These are easy routines and can help one to avoid the possibility of waking up with back pain.
Conclusion
Back pain in the morning is one of the problems that many individuals go through. It may be caused by a bad sleeping position, muscle tension or the wrong mattress. The mild back pain of the morning stiffness usually heals with movement, but the unremitting pain may need medical intervention. Sleep posture improvement, selection of the appropriate mattress, and active lifestyle are some of the solutions to prevent lower back pain following sleep. On knowing what causes morning back pain and in taking the easy preventive measures, you can be able to wake up in an easy and comfortable mood and be able to begin your day.
Please book an appointment with the best Orthopedic Surgeon in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.
