Morning pain in your lower back is usually an indication of several health factors. It may be due to certain lifestyle habits likes carrying extra weight or living a sedentary life. This may cause repeated wear and tear on the muscles on your lower back while placing addition pressure and strain.
Just imagine you have a full night of restful sleep. You start making your way out of your bed when all of a sudden you begin feeling the aching feeling in your lower back. But why? Why do you always seem to notice that your lower back pain is at its peak when you wake up in the morning?
The pain might start as a twinge. Then maybe, a dull ache. After some time, it may just feel like pain that radiates. In short, lower back pain can be an inconvenient and unpleasant experience for many.
If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain (especially in the morning) there may be a few reasons why. But let’s first discuss what your lower back is, why pain in that location matters, and some common causes for morning pain.
What Is Your Lower Back?
Your lower back is located in the lumbar region of your spine. Your lumbar region supports much of your upper body. The spinal column is composed of vertebrae that are padded with intervertebral discs. Your spinal column is also composed of a complex system of bones, nerves, and tissue.
This complex system serves as the mechanisms that allow the body to move and feel physical sensations. These spinal nerves are responsible for interpreting pain sensations and transmitting pain signals to the brain. Cushioning each vertebrae, these jelly-like discs work as shock absorbers protecting the spinal column and the body (especially while it is in movement).
When your lumbar region becomes irritated or injured, the nerves in your spinal canal message the brain to feel pain. You may begin experiencing pain when standing or walking, and at different intervals throughout the day.
Common symptoms of lower back pain include:
- Dull/aching pain in your lumbar region
- Pain that travels to your butt, legs, and feet
- Increased pain after prolonged sitting
- Muscle spasms in your lower back/pelvis/hips regions
- Finding pain relief after changing positions
The pain symptoms in your lower back will act as a guide for your back pain specialist to determine the best treatment method for effective relief. But if you are experiencing lower back pain in the morning specifically, there may be a few specific culprits.
Why Pain In This Region Matters
Morning pain in your lower back is usually an indication of several health factors. It may be due to certain lifestyle habits likes carrying extra weight or living a sedentary life. This may cause repeated wear and tear on the muscles on your lower back while placing addition pressure and strain.
Repetitive motions like improper lifting and twisting can damage the tissue and muscles that help movement. And excessive standing (such as someone working in a restaurant) without rest, can add pressure on your spinal column.
Mechanical issues that contribute to pain in your lower back while walking or standing can be described when functionality is limited when different components of the spinal column begin to fail. If you have a disease that is impacting the health of your spine, you can experience pain when these regions of the body begin to disintegrate.
Some Common Reasons For Morning Lower Back Pain
Sometimes the causes for your morning lower back pain may be so simple you did not even think of them. The most obvious would be the quality of your mattress. If your mattress is more than 10 years old, lumpy and bumpy, you may be receiving no support. If your back is not supported while you sleep, the strain on your lower back magnifies. Your lumbar region carries the majority of that pressure during the day and if it does not have an opportunity for rest that pain will also magnify.
Other common contributions to morning back pain include:
Sleeping Positions:
If you are sleeping in a position that adds strain to your spine, you may wake up with severe morning pain. Some positions may cause the natural curve of your spine to flatten which is directly related to the morning pain. Sleeping on your stomach adds pressure to your lower spine as well, and you should attempt back sleeping or sleeping with a pillow between your knees.
Pregnancy:
Some women may experience back pain early in their pregnancy, but more commonly between the second and third trimesters. As the body changes to accommodate the growing fetus, this can cause a strain on the lower back muscles. A pregnant woman may find herself “extra tired” and sleeping for longer periods of time. This additional sleeping can cause additional morning pain, causing prolonged stiffness and muscle tightness.
Disc Degeneration:
A condition directly related to age-related wear and tear, your spinal discs between the vertebrae become affected. The spinal discs begin to deteriorate resulting in intense pain. The pressure on your spine can be higher in the morning, ergo your lower back pain frequently manifesting in the morning.
Fibromyalgia:
A disorder that causes musculoskeletal pain that magnifies the pain signals sent to your brain. Common symptoms are fatigue and restless sleep creating additional discomfort in the mornings.
Spinal Stenosis:
When the area of the spinal canal becomes narrow and constricted, compressing the nerves and causing back pain and irritation. Pain can radiate from your back to other regions of your body, amplifying your pain sensations.
More often than not, many suffering from lower back pain (that is not caused by a disease or illness) can treat their symptoms from home. Typically, lower back pain symptoms can be relieved with simple changes. However, it is important to know when further intervention is needed.
When To See A Doctor
If the pain symptoms do not subside after a few days or weeks of rest, further evaluation by a doctor may be needed.
Your doctor may recommend stronger medications like prescription muscle relaxants and/or opioids. They may also advise other interventions like injection therapy or surgery.
If you feel you are unable to treat your pain symptoms at home, or find your pain increasing, reach out to a medical professional for an evaluation.
If you find yourself suffering from lower back pain in the mornings and your days being severely affected, call Pain and Spine Specialists today! We are a team of highly qualified providers who will properly evaluate your symptoms and determine the best course of treatment. Let us help you return to full functionality so you no longer experience lower back pain when standing and/or walking.
Call us in Maryland at 301-703-8767, in Pennsylvania at 724-603-3560, or in Virginia 540-433-1905 to make an appointment or use the form on our site to send us a message.
You don’t need to live with chronic morning back pain. Let us help you begin your journey to enhancing the quality of your life.