Why Does My Back Hurt When I Wake Up?

At the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX, we often hear the question: “Why does my back hurt when I wake up?” Typically, morning back pain is caused by a number of factors like poor sleeping posture, a bad mattress, an underlying medical condition, or normal age related wear and tear of the spine.

If you consistently wake up in pain or discomfort, it might be time to seek professional help. At the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX, our specialists are dedicated to uncovering the root cause of your morning lower back pain and finding treatment that works for you. We diagnose and treat spinal issues with the latest techniques and comprehensive care.

With over 28 years of experience helping patients relieve their musculoskeletal pain, you can trust that our team will provide the highest-quality medical care to finally help you achieve a good night’s sleep and begin living pain-free. Don’t let morning back pain symptoms dictate your life— call (972) 499-5457 or contact us online to request an appointment today.

Morning Back Pain After Sleeping: Causes and Treatments

Morning back pain after sleeping can often be attributed to factors like poor sleeping positions, unsupportive mattresses, or existing spinal conditions such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease.

Treating this morning pain begins with identifying the root cause through a professional medical evaluation. Possible treatments include physical therapy or improving sleep quality with the proper sleeping positions. In some cases, medical interventions such as pain relievers or even surgery may be necessary to provide long-term relief.

Regular check-ups and following a tailored treatment plan are essential for managing and alleviating morning back pain.

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Lay Down?

Back pain while lying down can be particularly frustrating because that’s generally when you expect to rest and recover. Here are some common reasons why your back might hurt when you lie down:

Overdoing Your Exercise 

Overdoing your exercise can cause back pain when you lie down because it puts too much stress on your back muscles. This can lead to muscle tightness and prolonged stiffness, as well as tiny tears and inflammation in the back muscles. When you rest and lie down, these issues can become more noticeable because your muscles are finally relaxing.

To manage this, you can include some light exercise in your routine and stay active with gentle movements that help keep your muscles loose without overstraining them. It’s a good idea to speak with a physical therapist about which exercises are safe to do. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also help reduce inflammation and relieve back discomfort. 

Poor Sleep Position

Poor sleep positions can cause back pain in the morning by straining your spine and muscles. If you sleep in a way that doesn’t keep your spine’s natural curve, it can lead to muscle tension and misalignment. For example, a very soft mattress can make your body sink too much, bending your spine awkwardly. 

Sleeping on your stomach can twist your neck and arch your lower back too much. These bad positions can make you wake up feeling stiff and sore. It’s important to sleep in a position that supports your spine to avoid morning back pain.

Unsupportive Mattress

A bad mattress could cause back pain while you sleep because it can aggravate the spinal discs and pressure points along your body. If the mattress is too soft, it may cause your spine to bend unnaturally, while a too-hard mattress can increase pressure on areas like your hips and shoulders. This misalignment and pressure can disrupt your sleep by causing prolonged stiffness and discomfort.

If the pain persists, it’s a sign that your mattress may not be effectively distributing your body weight to relieve pressure, which is important for maintaining spinal health and ensuring a pain-free rest.

Pregnancy

Many pregnant women experience pregnancy-related back pain while they sleep, especially in the second and third trimesters.

The growing baby increases the strain on the back muscles and shifts the center of gravity, which can cause discomfort and trouble finding comfortable sleep positions. Hormonal changes relax the ligaments in the pelvic area, affecting spinal support and leading to musculoskeletal pain. The expanding uterus can also press on blood vessels and nerves, exacerbating the pain. Additionally, sleep apnea may develop or worsen during pregnancy, causing more sleep problems.

Finding a comfortable sleep position can become challenging, contributing to poor sleep quality and persistent back pain. Side sleeping with the knees bent can potentially alleviate discomfort. Many women also find it helpful to place a thin pillow between the knees, and another pillow beneath the belly. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body. Research suggests that fibromyalgia heightens the sensation of pain in the body by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Fibromyalgia causes your muscles to become very sensitive and prone to pain.

With this condition, the pressure on your back muscles when lying down can be especially uncomfortable and painful. It is extremely difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, and you may wake up with morning stiffness and soreness.

Many patients report having more pain in the morning, most likely due to poor sleep quality. To help with this, many people with fibromyalgia take pain medications to help relieve pain and improve their sleep. 

Why Does My Upper Back Hurt When I Wake Up?

Causes of Upper Back Pain After Sleeping

Waking up with upper back pain can be caused by several factors, including:

Cervical Disc Herniation

Cervical disc herniation occurs when a disc in the neck region of the spine becomes damaged, causing the inner gel-like core to protrude through the outer layer. This herniation can compress nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord, leading to cervical radiculopathy that causes radiating neck pain, upper back pain, and other symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.

The cervical spine contains seven vertebrae (C1-C7) with spinal discs acting as cushions between them. These discs absorb shock and allow flexibility, consisting of a tough outer layer and a softer inner core. Herniation can be caused by degenerative disc disease, where discs lose elasticity over time, spinal injury or trauma such as whiplash, repetitive strain from certain movements, or genetic predisposition to disc degeneration.

Treatment options range from conservative methods to surgical interventions. Conservative treatments include physical therapy, pain medication and anti-inflammatories, and heat or ice therapy. More intense treatment, like cervical epidural injections or surgery, may help reduce inflammation and pain. Surgical options include micro endoscopic discectomy to remove the herniated disc portion or cervical fusion to stabilize the spine.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal in the neck narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves within the spinal column.

This narrowing, caused by factors like herniated spinal discs, injuries, or congenital issues, leads to symptoms such as radiating neck pain to the shoulders and arms, numbness or tingling in the hands, and muscle weakness. Cervical spinal stenosis often causes upper back pain in the morning because a poor sleep position or prolonged inactivity can exacerbate the compression.

Treatment options include pain relief medications, cervical epidural injections, and working with a physical therapist to strengthen neck muscles and improve flexibility. In severe cases, surgical interventions like laminectomy, discectomy, or cervical spinal fusion may be necessary.

Why Does My Middle Back Hurt When I Wake Up?

Causes of Middle Back Pain When Lying Down

Middle back pain when lying down could be caused by the following: 

Thoracic Disc Herniation

Thoracic disc herniation occurs when a spinal disc in the mid-back region (thoracic spine) becomes damaged, causing the inner gel-like core to bulge through the outer layer. The herniated disc can compress nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord, causing persistent mid-back pain, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, coordination and balance issues. Pain can become more pronounced when lying down due to increased pressure on the affected area and the body’s alignment during rest.

Common causes include degenerative disc disease, injury or trauma, repetitive strain, and genetic predisposition. Perceived stress can also exacerbate symptoms, as stress can cause muscles to tense up, increasing discomfort. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, imaging tests like MRI or CT scans, and sometimes nerve tests.

Physical therapists can help manage the condition by guiding patients through exercises that slowly push the spine to improve flexibility and strength, reducing pressure on the herniated disc. In some cases, more invasive procedures such as epidural steroid injections, discectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion may be necessary to relieve the mid-back pain. 

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

Thoracic spinal stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves inside the spinal column. This narrowing can cause intense mid-back pain, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness. All of these symptoms can contribute to poor sleep quality, causing even more back pain in the morning.

Treatment options can include physical therapy and lifestyle modifications or more invasive procedures like epidural steroid injections, laminectomy, discectomy, or spinal fusion. 

Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Wake Up?

Causes of Lower Back Pain After Sleeping

Waking up with lower back pain can be due to several factors. Here are some common causes:

Lumbar Disc Herniation

When a disc in the lower back (lumbar region) protrudes or ruptures, it can compress nearby nerve roots, causing lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica). The inflammation and irritation of the nerve can cause lower back pain that radiates to the hips, buttocks, legs, and feet. Certain sleeping positions may increase pressure on the nerve, causing intense pain when you wake up. Additionally, lying still for long periods can further aggravate the nerve. As a result, individuals with lumbar disc herniation often experience serious low back pain and stiffness first thing in the morning.

Treatment options for low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation include methods like physical therapy and medications such as pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, lumbar epidural steroid injections can provide relief by reducing inflammation around the affected nerves. If conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical options like lumbar microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion may be considered. 

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal in the lower back narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves within the spinal column. During sleep, certain positions or prolonged inactivity can increase the compression on the nerves, causing stiffness and morning lower back pain after waking up.

Lower back pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis can be treated by physical therapy, pain medications, and lumbar epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Surgery may be needed for more serious cases. Surgical options can include laminectomy to remove part of the vertebra and enlarge the spinal canal, or lumbar fusion to stabilize the spine. 

What Causes Lower Back Pain in the Morning That Goes Away?

Lower back pain in the morning that goes away after some movement can often be attributed to poor sleeping positions. When you sleep in positions that don’t support your lower back, such as on your stomach or in a twisted posture, it can strain the muscles and ligaments, leading to low back pain. Maintaining a sleep position that keeps the spine properly aligned and preserves its natural curve is essential for preventing morning pain. 

How to Sleep with Back Pain

Adopting a supportive sleep position can make sleeping with back pain more manageable. Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, a new sleep position can really help relieve morning back pain and stiffness.

For back sleepers, keep your knees bent with a pillow under them to maintain the spine’s natural curve. Side sleepers should place a pillow between their knees to reduce strain on the lower back. Placing a small pillow under your lower abdomen can help stomach sleepers, though this position is generally not recommended. 

Additionally, keep your neck straight by using a pillow that supports it properly, and avoid twisting your spine in the opposite direction of your hips. These adjustments can help alleviate back pain and promote a more restful sleep.

How to Relieve Back Pain After Waking Up

Incorporating light exercise and gentle stretching into your morning routine can significantly improve back pain. This combination enhances blood flow and ensures that your muscles and joints remain flexible and strong, reducing the likelihood of pain and stiffness throughout the day.

Physical Therapy for Back Pain Relief

Although physical therapy does not provide immediate relief from back pain, it reduces pain over time by strengthening the back muscles and abdominal muscles that support your spine.

A physical therapist will create a personalized exercise program to target these muscles and improve their strength and stability. As your core muscles and back muscles become stronger, they help to better support your spine, reducing the pressure on spinal discs and joints. The alleviated pressure can significantly decrease pain and prevent further injury. 

Injections for Back Pain Symptoms

• Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections deliver corticosteroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain caused by conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. Epidural steroid injections can treat pain in the caudal, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spaces of the spine.
• Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injections: These injections are used to treat pain originating from the sacroiliac joint, located at the base of the spine where it connects to the pelvis. The sacroiliac joint steroid injection includes a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic.
• Medial Branch Block: An injection used to diagnose and relieve back pain coming from the facet joints in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Local anesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves, which carry pain signals from the facet joints. If the injection relieves the pain, it confirms the facet joints as the pain source. A medial branch block can also provide temporary pain relief. 

Surgery for Back Pain Relief

• Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive procedure where a small portion of a herniated disc is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve.
• Laminectomy: A surgical procedure that involves removing a part of the vertebra called the lamina to create more space and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often used to treat spinal stenosis.
• Spinal Fusion: A procedure where two or more vertebrae are permanently connected to eliminate motion between them, typically used to treat conditions like degenerative disc disease or severe spinal instability.
• Revision Surgery: A revision surgery is a follow-up surgical procedure to correct or improve the outcome of a previous spinal surgery, addressing issues such as failed fusion, hardware problems, or persistent pain.

When to See a Doctor for Morning Back Pain

If you have morning back pain that persists for weeks, is severe, spreads to your legs, or comes with numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving, it’s time to see a doctor. Also, seek medical advice if you have bladder or bowel issues, unexplained weight loss, fever, or if the pain started after an injury. 

It’s important to consult a doctor if you have a medical history of conditions like cancer or osteoporosis. A specialist from the Advanced Spine Center can diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend effective treatment.

If Your Back Hurts After Sleeping, Call the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX

If your back hurts after sleeping, call the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX. Our team of specialists can help diagnose the cause of your pain and provide effective treatment to relieve your symptoms.

Call (972) 499-5457 or contact us online to request an appointment today and start your journey to a pain-free life.