Lower back pain is a fact of life. Millions of people around the world grapple with it at some point in time. It may sneak up after a demanding workday, strike in the middle of a rigorous workout, or even seemingly appear out of the blue in the middle of the day.

Every adult tends to be at the receiving end of lower back pain. But rare is the pain that strikes in the early morning hours, and even more occasional is the ache that appears as soon as one wakes up.

“The most common cause of lower back pain in the early morning is sleeping in the wrong position. But that is not the only reason. There tend to be many reasons for lower back pain, and fortunately, there are ways it can be fixed,” says the top orthopaedic surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Chirag Patel. With his insights, we delve into the causes of lower back pain and stiffness in the morning and look at simple remedies that can help. Read on:

Early Morning Lower Back Pain: Causes

Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is when the spinal discs break down and wear out, causing lower back pain. The pain in the back is one of the symptoms of these spinal conditions, which include herniated disc, prolapsed disc, ruptured disc, disc protrusion, extrusion, and bulging disc. These degenerative disc diseases can cause lower back pain problems, particularly in elder adults.

Poor Posture: Poor posture can subtly strain the lower back muscles, discs, and ligaments. It can also pull the spinal curves out of alignment, putting even more pressure on the lower back, resulting in morning aches. Please check your posture if you suffer from back pain early in the morning.

Muscle Strain and Spasm: “Sometimes everyday activities and even sports may put extra pressure that may lead to muscle strain and sometimes even spasm. Lower back pain could be one of the major symptoms in these situations too,” according to the best ortho surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Chirag Patel.

Underlying Medical Conditions: Arthritis, osteoporosis, and even fibromyalgia are three medical conditions that often lead to back pain in the morning. The symptoms may start with stiffness, uncomfortable pain in the back, and even tenderness.

Lousy Sleeping Positions: “As mentioned earlier, bad sleeping positions are the primary cause of lower back pain in most cases,” says orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Chirag Patel. Lousy sleeping positions can put extra pressure on the lumbar spine by throwing the spine curve out of alignment. This misalignment can strain the lower back, leading to lower back pain, and sometimes compress the nerves in the spine, which may even cause numbness and pain in the legs and feet.

Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety can trigger stress hormones that may lead to muscle tension, stiffness, and pain in the lower back. Stress can disrupt sleep patterns, exacerbating pain and worsening posture, which can further strain the back. If you are going through bouts of stress, it’s no surprise that it may manifest as lower back pain early in the morning.

Stiff Back or Lowe Back Pain in the Morning: Remedies & Treatment:

In addition to the above, a lack of exercise and an inactive lifestyle may contribute to back pain. Even unsupportive mattresses, shoes, and severe medical conditions like kidney stones, spinal stenosis, and even endometriosis may cause lower back pain.

So, the first and best thing anyone suffering from back pain in the morning can do is to consult an orthopaedic specialist who can find an individual treatment based on the underlying cause. However, if one is unsure about their medical history and health, one can try out a few remedies that could provide relief.

Stiffness or pain in the lower back upon waking up can be alleviated through remedies such as warm baths, gentle stretching, ice packs, over-the-counter heat therapy, and even better, considering preventive steps that can reduce the risk of lower back pain. These include maintaining good posture, exercising regularly, choosing a supportive mattress, and effectively managing stress.

Suppose you are still encountering lower back pain and stiffness upon waking up. In that case, it is highly advisable to consult a back pain specialist and orthopaedic specialist in Mumbai, Dr. Chirag Patel.