Does your back ache when you wake up in the morning? There are several possible underlying conditions that can lead to chronic morning back pain. In this article we will take a look at some of the more common causes of back pain upon waking, and what you can do to reduce your pain and wake up feeling great.

Morning Back & Neck Pain

Back pain upon waking can stem from a number of causes. In the mildest of cases, it could simply be caused by sleeping in an odd or uncomfortable position. For example, if you fall asleep with your neck propped at an uncomfortable angle, you may wake up with a “kink” in your neck. This type of pain usually resolves within a day with the help of some simple stretches. Similarly, many people sleep on their stomachs without realizing that this is a big contributor to back pain. Sleeping on your stomach puts increased pressure on your low back. Roll over and sleep on your back or sides as much as possible.

Reducing Morning Back Pain

The first thing you can do to help remedy your back pain in the morning is take a good look at your mattress. If you’re sleeping on a mattress that is 10+ years old, it may not be giving your back enough support throughout the night. Simply upgrading to a new mattress could be all it takes to reduce your back pain when you wake up.

Another way to reduce the likelihood of AM back pain is to make sure you are getting enough exercise during the day.

If you try these tactics and you are still waking up continuously with back pain, there may be something more serious going on, like a bulging disc, pinched nerve, or osteoarthritis. Make an appointment with a physician if you are constantly waking up with back pain. A qualified doctor can determine the underlying cause of your pain and walk you through a corrective course.

Comments are closed.