Why is it so common for people to wake up with pain in their lower back?  You went to bed feeling fine, and now you’re waking up sore, even though you’ve done nothing but sleep for the past 8 hours.

Two weeks ago we talked about how the pressure in the discs in your back increases while you sleep.  Minimizing how much you sit for the first hour after you get up can help to relieve lower back pain.  Last week we talked about what to do if you have no choice but to sit.

This week we’ll look at three other reasons why you might wake up with lower back pain.

Poor Sleeping Posture

Do you wake up with lower back pain once in a while, instead of all the time?  If so, the culprit is probably poor sleeping posture.  We naturally adjust our sleeping positions to keep muscles moving and blood and oxygen circulating smoothly.  But it’s easy to roll into an awkward position, hold it for hours, and wake up sore.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach.  The best posture to minimize back pain from poor sleep posture is lying flat on your back with a pillow under your knees.

If you toss and turn a lot, keeping a pillow between your knees can minimize your tendency to roll into awkward positions.

Chiropractic care can help you with the aching back and/or cricks in your neck that result from spending the night in an uncomfortable position.

Chronic Inflammation

Just about everyone over the age of 40 experiences low grade inflammation to some degree.  The back is an area that is very sensitive to this inflammation.

The best ways to combat chronic inflammation are to stay active, get enough sleep, visit your chiropractor regularly, and minimize sources of stress.

What you eat can also be a major factor.  Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat.

Follow your chiropractor’s recommendations for maintenance care to help keep chronic inflammation under control.

Medical Conditions

If you suffer from arthritis, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or other health conditions, you may be more vulnerable to back pain in the morning.

Generally speaking, many people benefit from improving their quality of sleep, regular chiropractic care, heating therapy, and exercise.  Your chiropractor can give you advice specific to your personal needs.

Exercise can be challenging for people with one or more of these conditions.  Light exercise on a regular basis is more valuable than struggling to achieve vigorous exercise.  Your chiropractor can provide more suggestions.

Daily back pain is not normal

If you’re experiencing frequent back pain, it’s time to contact Sheppard Chiropractic Centre at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172.  We can help to manage or even eliminate back pain so you can live your best possible life.