September 4, 2024
It’s happened to all of us: you wake up one morning, go to get out of bed, and shooting pain runs up your back. It doesn’t make sense, you’ve been asleep, so how can your back hurt? There are more reasons you wake up with back pain than you might think.
Read here to find out why your back hurts when you wake up and how you can treat the pain while preventing more from developing.
What Causes Back Pain When I Wake Up?
When you wake up, back pain can come from many different places. It can be acute or chronic. Chronic back pain results from gradual increases in pain and discomfort, while acute back pain is more rapid. Some of the most common causes of back pain contribute to acute pain and slowly become chronic.
- Sleeping Position
- Old Mattress
- Scoliosis
- Disc Degeneration
Depending on your position, the way you sleep can create back pain. Poor sleeping posture, most notably stomach sleeping, can stress the spine. The best position for reducing back pain is sleeping on your side, with a pillow under your head and knees to maintain proper spinal alignment. In turn, this positioning can minimize opportunities for back pain.
Your mattress may be causing issues that lead to back pain. Mattresses aren’t meant to last forever. The average life cycle of a mattress is around ten years. The wear and tear over this time period can wear out springs or deform the memory foam, depending on the type of mattress. Buying a new, semi-firm mattress is the best option, but a new mattress topper can provide relief in a pinch.
Scoliosis from back pain doesn’t start suddenly; it worsens and develops more pain over time. The initial pain may be a dull ache or stiffness, but it can become aggravated during certain activities. Generally, the pain scoliosis creates is worse in the morning. Your chiropractor can help with scoliosis pain by using manual adjustments and soft tissue techniques.
As you age, your body will start to degrade. This isn’t necessarily bad; it’s normal for the body. The spinal column will also degenerate, specifically the spinal disks. The spinal disks are the spine’s shock absorbers, sitting between each spinal column. They allow you to stay flexible and not damage your spine as you ambulate. Nearly everyone’s back and spine will break down as time passes, but not everyone will experience pain.
How To Treat Morning Back Pain
While it may seem that nothing can be done about morning back pain, there are some effective methods for combating it.
Stretches in Bed
Stretching is the most consistent and accessible way to minimize back pain. Doing so before you get out of bed can prevent back pain and minimize some pain you might already be experiencing.
For starters, when you wake up, raise your arms as high as you can and stretch your back to warm up for the day. After this, bring your knees to your chest and hold. This stretches the lower back, which is one of the primary locations for morning back pain.
Planks
Separate from general exercise, planks are valuable to strengthen your back and prevent pain from manifesting. Performing planks engages the entire body and relieves back pain by providing proper spinal engagement and strengthening back muscles.
It’s vital to perform planks in the proper position to receive the full benefits. Place your forearms on the floor with your elbows aligned below your shoulders. Keeping your arms parallel and shoulder-width apart, hold your back straight as if you are in the raised position of a pushup. Hold the position for 20 seconds, raising the duration as you become more comfortable with the move.
Exercise
Regular exercise has obvious health benefits and is crucial for preventing lower back pain. Walking, as simple as it is, is one of the best things you can do. If your job requires prolonged periods of sitting, it’s recommended that you stand and stretch every 30 minutes if possible. Standing desks are beneficial for getting your body moving and breaking up long stints of sitting throughout the day.
Chiropractic Adjustment
Chiropractic adjustment is effective when used consistently and performed by a chiropractic professional. Manual adjustments and chiropractic are employed for pain and subluxations and are especially valuable for back pain. By targeting the cause of your pain instead of the symptoms, chiropractic can treat your current back pain and prevent further issues from manifesting.
Experiencing Morning Back Pain? Contact Us Today!
If you’re experiencing morning back pain or back pain in general, you have options to ease that pain. Call 727-447-4647 or contact our expert chiropractors in Clearwater, FL, to see how we can help you get on track to a pain-free life!
About the Author: With over three decades of experience, Dr. Jere Jarrett is a highly educated and experienced chiropractor who serves Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas. He takes a “whole-body” approach to chiropractic care. Instead of treating symptoms, Dr. Jarrett looks for the underlying cause of pain and discomfort. Call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment!