Back pain is never something we deal with. Depending on how intense your pain is, it can be pretty debilitating. All it takes is one little move, and you can throw your whole life out of whack. It’s even worse when you wake up feeling that unwelcome twinge and have to start your day on the wrong foot.
If this has been your experience, you can take a little comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Many people suffer from early morning pain and wonder what they may have done in their sleep to cause it.
Well, there could be several reasons why you’re experiencing pain at such an early hour. It’s usually caused by stiffness in the body from not moving for an extended period. It can also result from excess stress or poor posture, among other reasons.
Whether your pain is from a bad mattress or a bad posture, there are things you can do to bring you a little relief. If you’re waking up in the morning feeling like you’ve already worked all day before you get out of bed, try some of these suggestions to help you regain mobility.
Bed Stretches
If your back pain results from not moving for hours at a time, consider doing some bed stretches before you get up. While on your back, try raising your arms above your head and stretch as far as possible. At the same time, try pulling your feet in the other direction.
Planks
Once you get up, do some planks to strengthen your core muscles. Once your internal muscles are stronger, your back will get less pressure. To do this, lay face down on a hard surface with your toes curled under and your forearms planted firmly on the floor, lift your body into a plank position, and hold that position for 30 seconds, squeezing your abs tightly as you do. Lower and repeat several times.
Medication
If your pain is more severe, you may need more immediate relief. Start by trying over-the-counter medications to help reduce any inflammation at the root of the problem. Tylenol or ibuprofen may help to ease some of that pain.
TENS
A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a device that can be very effective in dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Talk to your doctor if the above methods do not seem to be helping you enough.
There is nothing good about waking up with occasional back pain, and while common, trying some of these symptoms can bring you a little relief. However, if you find that this is not just an occasional occurrence, you might be dealing with an underlying medical condition that should be addressed.
Suppose you find that the condition is progressively worsening. In that case, it’s time to take more serious action and talk to your doctor to get to the root of the problem, especially if other symptoms accompany it. Whatever the case, it is essential that you take care of the problem as soon as possible, so you know precisely what steps to take to get you the relief you need.