Waking Up Stiff? The Hidden Causes of Morning Back Pain and How to Fix It

You know the feeling: You wake up in the morning, try to get out of bed, and you’re stopped short by a stiff back that won’t let you move as you normally do. 

Then you have to awkwardly maneuver your body to sit up and swing your legs out of bed with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

A stiff back can happen to anyone after abnormal exercise or movement; however, if you continually wake up stiff, Dr. Jonathan Koning and our team at ReGen Pain Management in Plano and Frisco, Texas, can help you uncover the hidden causes of your morning back pain — and what you can do about them.

Causes of morning back pain

Here are a few common causes of back pain when you wake up in the morning:

How you sleep

If you sleep in an awkward position that strains your muscles and spine, you may wake up with a stiff back. If your mattress is too firm or too soft, this can also be a hindrance to maintaining a comfortable position for your spine all night long.

Inflammation

Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis can also cause stiffness after a long period of inactivity, such as when you’re lying in bed overnight. After you’ve been asleep for hours, the discomfort and stiffness are more noticeable when you get up in the morning. 

Muscle tightness

The more you sit, such as at work during the day, the tighter your muscles tend to get. Tight, weak muscles can cause reduced mobility, increasing strain on your back as you walk and move in more limited ways. All of this can increase the stiffness you feel in your back.

Spinal issues

You may have a structural problem with your back such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. If the pain continues, causes numbness, or radiates down your legs, you should be evaluated by your doctor.

Solutions for morning back pain

Here are a few solutions to these problems causing back stiffness:

Improve your sleep setup

Try sleeping in different positions or placing a pillow between your legs if you sleep on your side or under your legs if you sleep on your back. You should also make sure your mattress and pillow provide the appropriate level of support to keep your spine aligned and comfortable while you sleep.

Stretch and move

Incorporate more stretching and movement into your day. Try a few basic stretches in the morning before work and add more walking and low-impact activities into your daily and weekly routines. 

This may improve your mobility, strengthen and loosen your muscles, and help reduce morning stiffness.

Address underlying issues

If you’re still experiencing pain and stiffness after making some of these changes, you need to see Dr. Koning for an evaluation to determine if a structural problem is causing your pain.

Our team at ReGen Pain Management knows about treating back pain. To schedule an appointment, call our location most convenient to you today, or use our online scheduler anytime.