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Waking up with Back Discomfort

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Category: Region 9

Back DiscomfortWaking up with back discomfort might make it difficult to get started on the day. Determining the source of the pain can assist them in identifying solutions to the problem and waking up to more pain-free mornings. It frequently suggests an issue with a person's sleeping position, bedding, or pillows. Morning back pain, on the other hand, might be an indication of a medical illness. Back pain can be acute or chronic, lasting up to 12 weeks. Most back pain is acute and will go away in a few days with proper home care. If the pain persists, a person should consult a doctor to see if there is an underlying reason.

There are several reasons why a person may wake up with back discomfort. Here are some possibilities:

  • Degenerative disc disease- Natural wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs in the back can cause narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal as a person ages. This narrowing is referred to doctors as spinal arthritis or degenerative disc degeneration (DDD). DDD may compress the spinal nerves, causing discomfort, stiffness, and decreased movement in the lower back or neck. The pain can be slight to severe, and it may spread to other regions of the body. Symptoms might be stronger in the morning and can disrupt sleep.
  • Fibromyalgia- Morning back pain and stiffness are classic fibromyalgia symptoms. This is a persistent condition that can produce aches, pains, and discomfort throughout the body.
  • Excessive exercise the day before- Exercise on a regular basis might assist to strengthen the back and alleviate back discomfort. Overdoing it at the gym or when participating in sports, on the other hand, might result in the morning back discomfort and stiffness.
  • Improperly getting out of bed- The way a person gets out of bed might be critical in preventing early morning aches and pains. Even if a person is well-rested, getting out of bed too soon or leaning too far forward might put a strain on the back.
  • Inadequate sleeping position- Certain sleeping positions can put additional strain on the lower back, hips, and neck.
  • Mattress discomfort- Morning back discomfort can be caused by mattresses that do not adequately support a person's weight or body type.
  • Pregnancy- Lower back discomfort, which might arise in the morning, is a typical musculoskeletal problem during pregnancy. Lower back discomfort is common during pregnancy, affecting 30–78% of women. Back discomfort caused by pregnancy normally goes away once the baby is born.

 

It is not always essential to fully change a person's sleeping posture to relieve back discomfort. Instead, a person can wrap pillows around their body for added support while sleeping in the position that is most comfortable for them. Here are some examples:

  • Back sleepers might try putting a cushion beneath their knees to better align the spine and alleviate lower back discomfort.
  • To help align their hips and spine, side sleepers may benefit from placing a cushion between their legs.
  • To decrease lower back curvature, stomach sleepers might place a cushion beneath their lower belly.
  • If using pillows does not relieve a person's symptoms, they should look into other possible reasons for morning back discomfort.

Back discomfort is frequently caused by poor sleeping habits or overexertion during physical activities. Morning back pain, on the other hand, can be a sign of several medical disorders, including fibromyalgia and DDD. If self-care techniques, such as changing sleeping positions or purchasing a new mattress, do not alleviate back discomfort, a person should consult a doctor. It is particularly critical to see a doctor if you are experiencing significant back pain that is limiting your ability to move or do daily tasks.

DMO II-ZS, Karla P. Calapardo,RND

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