Back Pain in the MorningIf you wake up with back pain in the morning, you want to figure out if it's something as simple as needing a new mattress or a more serious condition, like arthritis. Morning Back Pain from Your Neck DownLet's start with the different areas of your back, and what can cause back pain in the morning.If you regularly wake up with a stiff or sore neck, you'll want to check your pillow. I don't believe that one pillow does it all and I think it's important for you to get fitted for the right pillow for the way you sleep. If you sleep on your stomach, you need a softer pillow that can be molded to support your neck, or if you sleep on your back, you need one with room for your shoulder while keeping your neck aligned. Some common signs that your pillow just isn't doing the trick are things like your hands or fingers are asleep or numb when you wake up, or that you constantly wake up with neck stiffness or a headache (early morning headaches can also be a sign of blood pressure problems). Getting fitted for a pillow doesn't take long. Expect them to ask you how you sleep (on your side or your back, etc.), how long you stay in one position or how much you move around while sleeping (if you even know), and how long you sleep each night. They may also ask questions like whether or not you get to sleep easily at night. Once you change your pillow, expect a few nights of discomfort while your body gets used to the change. I recommend water pillows to stomach sleepers because they offer options. You can adjust the water level based on your nightly needs, or changes in your sleeping position. Upper Back Pain in the MorningStomach and side sleepers are more likely to have morning back pain in their shoulders or upper backs than those who sleep on their backs.When you sleep on your tummy, your shoulders and upper back are in a slight extension position, which can be fairly uncomfortable after several hours. If you sleep with your arms over your head, you're also putting extra pressure on your neck, and those muscles can be sore all the way down your shoulders. The right pillow here can make a big difference. If you're pillow is too thick you'll have a lot of stress on your neck, which can lead to upper back pain when you wake up. For back and side sleepers, I recommend the Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow. Although it looks a little funny, it does a great job of keeping your spine aligned. Lower Back Pain in the MorningThis is often a sign of a mattress that doesn't support you well. Don't confuse support with firmness, there are soft mattresses that support very well. Personal comfort is pretty important here, so if you like soft mattresses, get one with plenty of coils and supportive material inside it.If you sleep on your side, your low back may hurt because there's too much pressure on your sacro-iliac joints. A pillow between your knees can help. If you think you're mattress isn't supportive enough, you can slide a piece of particle board between you mattress and box spring for a cheap fix, or you can go buy a new bed. There are also all sorts of mattress covers that may help, from egg crate foam to pillow toppers. I like the memory foam toppers because I think they give you nice support.
Arthritis and Morning Back PainUnfortunately, morning back pain is also a classic sign of arthritis. If you're over 40 and are consistently waking up with pain, it might be worth a couple of X-rays to rule this out.Arthritis pain tends to be worse in the morning, along with stiffness. You'll probably feel better after you've been up a couple hours or if you hop into a hot shower. If you do find that your pain is due to arthritis,
chiropractic care
is very effective at slowing down the progression of symptoms, and an
inversion table can help you feel better at home.
Return to Natural-Arthritis-Relief.com HOME
|
