Good morning! Well, maybe not so good… that depends on how your body feels!
Are you waking up in the morning feeling like you just time warped 20 years into the future? That your back or neck does not like waking up with you?
Neck and lower back pain in the morning are unfortunately common experiences. Fortunately, we have some explanations and ways to help fix them! Morning pain can be attributed to various factors, and understanding these potential causes can help address the issue.
The Body’s Overnight Recovery Process
One common reason is related to the body’s overnight recovery process. During sleep, the muscles and ligaments in the back relax and may become stiff, especially if you maintain a certain position for an extended period. The lack of movement can lead to a temporary reduction in blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles, contributing to stiffness and discomfort upon waking. To help alleviate this problem, a key factor to prevention is finding a consistent movement program during the day that can help make these structures more resilient.
Sleeping Posture
Another factor contributing to morning back pain may be the choice of sleeping posture or mattress. An unsupportive mattress or improper sleeping position can lead to misalignment of the spine, putting strain on the back muscles. Over time, this strain can result in discomfort and pain, particularly upon waking. It’s essential to ensure that your mattress provides adequate support and promotes a neutral spine alignment during sleep. For more advice, the chiropractors at our office can help you navigate strategies that work best for you.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Additionally, underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis can cause morning back pain. Inflammatory conditions may worsen during inactivity, leading to increased stiffness and discomfort in the morning.
Get Help Evaluating your Symptoms
If your morning pain persists or worsens, having an evaluation by a chiropractor can aid in solving it! Often, a key factor in helping out our nighttime or morning problems is creating change in the things we do in the hours we are proactive and awake. Changing our daily routine can often lead to better rest, reducing morning pain. The providers in our office can help with therapy to stressed areas of the spine and muscles, target home exercise, and provide insight into creating a better sleep strategy.
