Morning back pain can be a frustrating, and sometimes debilitating experience. If you wake up in the morning with back pain, there’s a good chance it will be difficult to get out of bed. In order to address morning back pain, it is important to understand the various causes of morning back pain. There are many things that could cause your morning back pain, and this article is going to discuss 5 common causes. Understanding these underlying causes will help you better treat your symptoms.
Culprit #1: Sleep Position
One of the first reasons for morning back pain is sleeping position. It is important that you choose a comfortable sleep position that does not disrupt your spine’s natural curve, since this can cause strain on the spinal joints. Sleeping flat on your stomach can cause back pain, however adding a pillow under your abdomen or pelvis can decrease discomfort and can actually be beneficial for those with disc degeneration. To avoid back pain from your sleep position, it is recommended to sleep on your side or back with a pillow between your knees.
Culprit #2: Bad Mattress
A poor-quality mattress can also be a common culprit for morning back pain. If your mattress is old, worn out, or too soft, it is likely not providing enough support, which can lead to morning back pain. It is generally recommended to get a new mattress every nine years, however this can vary. A good way to test if your mattress needs replacing is by looking for areas that sag or have lumps, and listening for creaking. If so, it is probably time for a new one!
Culprit #3: Pregnancy
Morning back pain during pregnancy can be particularly bad due to the extra weight and strain placed on your spine while carrying a baby. However, some women experience back pain as early as 8 weeks into their pregnancy before the baby is even big enough to add weight. Back aches in pregnant women are not usually caused by an injury, but rather the changing muscles and ligaments in the back due to the body preparing for labor. In order to treat morning back pain from pregnancy, it is important that you minimize strain on your spine by stretching, using your legs to stand, and using a warm compress.
Culprit #4: Disc Degeneration
Disc degeneration is another common cause for morning back pain. Disc degeneration is the deterioration of the spinal discs between vertebrae due to aging. In some cases, there is little to no pain associated with disc degeneration. In others, however, there can be pain caused by pressure within the disc. This pain tends to be worse in the morning when disc pressure is the highest. If your morning back pain is due to disc degeneration, a spinal surgeon may be able to alleviate this pain with spinal injections.
Culprit #5: Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain in the body, including morning back pain. This type of back pain is often due to dysfunction in how the brain processes pain signals. There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, however there are treatments that can be used to promote better sleep and less pain.
If you are struggling with morning back pain, it is important to consult with a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and find relief. There are many potential causes for this type of pain, so it is best to rule out any serious issues. Your spinal specialist can help you discover different treatment options available to help lessen the pain. No matter what the underlying cause, there are ways to alleviate and manage morning back pain.
