Morning Back Pain

Morning back pain is common for many people suffering from chronic back problems. Many people feel fine when they go to bed, then wake up with pain and stiffness first thing in the morning. The pain might only be in one specific area of the back or it might involve general pain in the back and side. There can be several causes of this problem, depending on the circumstances of the patient�s back condition.

morning back pain

Morning Back Pain Causes

If a person is healthy and does not have any back ache concerns except for pain in the morning, I would start off by examining the bed they are sleeping on. A beat up mattress that does not give adequate support might cause stiffness and pain. Some people can sleep on almost anything and not have any ill effects. It really depends on the individual. If the bed checks out, then it is time to look elsewhere.

If there is history of a back problem, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis, then that condition will often be blamed for the morning discomfort. The doctor or chiropractor will usually have some explanation of why that particular condition is made worse by your sleeping position. The usual advice is to get a special pillow, sleep with a pillow in between your knees, sleep on your side, or something that basically amounts to NONSENSE. I hate to say it, but it is true�

Morning Back Pain True Causes

This condition usually affects people that are active. The most common person with morning back pain is athletic and in shape. These people are also usually conscientious and success oriented individuals. They are not machines, but rather emotional and sensitive people, who want to do well in life for themselves and for others. Is that you? I bet it is�

90% of morning back pain is caused due to oxygen deprivation. The body usually supplies a lot of oxygen to the muscles, nerves and ligaments during exercise. When the back is fully rested, and especially when lying down, the area receives less oxygen than normal. This is a common phenomenon in distance runners. They often experience leg cramps during the last stages of a race when the muscular oxygen levels are so low as to cause pain.

So why does it hurt when I wake up? The cause of muscular oxygen deprivation is almost always due to unresolved psychological or emotional issues. These issues have a chance to gain some control of your conscious mind while you are sleeping. Your subconscious mind uses the morning pain as reassurance that these psychological issues will remain hidden when you wake up.

Sound like science fiction? Well, you are half right. It is science. Scientific medical research has proven the link between the mind and the body. The placebo and nocebo effects have been proven. The overall health of the body is determined by the interactions with the mind.

Recommendation for Morning Back Pain

You can continue to buy those little pillows, or maybe start treatment with some powerful pain relief drugs. Is this wise? Well if you want to chance addiction to the drugs, fine. If you don't mind going on the Quest for the Holy Grail of perfect mattress / pillow combinations, fine.

I would recommend learning more about Knowledge Therapy. This is the cure that I found for the horrible chronic back pain that plagued me for 18 years. In my experience, pain that comes primarily in the morning is rarely due to a physical problem. It is almost always from a physical response to a psychological threat. It is a defense mechanism. Learn and grow. Learn and heal. Words to live by�

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Morning Back Pain to Lower Back Pain Home page 7/25/06 Revised 5/16/08