Back Pain Keeping You Up At Night?
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Trouble sleeping is very bothersome. When it is due to back pain, it can affect all aspects of your life.
When patients come into our Houston, Texas office with back pain after not being able to get the proper rest, it can be worrisome. They are worried that it is something serious and hopeful that it requires a simple treatment. What I have found in my 36 years as a Doctor of Chiropractic is that it is usually somewhere in the middle.
Here’s a breakdown of potential causes and what to do:
Common Causes of Nighttime Back Pain:
- Poor Sleep Posture:
Sleeping in a position that doesn’t support your spine (e.g., on your stomach or with an overly arched back) can strain your back muscles and joints.
- Muscle Spasms:
Sudden, involuntary contractions of back muscles can cause sharp, painful spasms that are particularly noticeable at night.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs:
When the soft tissue in your spinal discs protrudes or bulges, it can compress nerves and cause pain, especially when lying down.
- Spinal Stenosis:
Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and numbness.
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction:
Problems with the joint connecting your spine to your pelvis can cause pain that radiates to the lower back and hips.
- Facet Joint Dysfunction:
Problems with the small joints in the spine can cause pain and stiffness.
- Arthritis:
Conditions like osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause chronic back pain, which may be worse at night.
- Sciatica:
Inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve can cause pain that travels down the leg, often worsening at night.
- Spinal Tumors:
While less common, spinal tumors can cause persistent, aching pain that is often worse at night.
- Spinal Infections:
Infections of the spine, like osteomyelitis, can cause severe back pain and fever.
- Compression Fractures:
Fractures of the vertebrae can cause pain and instability, especially when lying down.
- Other Medical Conditions:
Kidney stones, pregnancy, endometriosis, and certain cancers can also cause back pain.
When to Seek Chiropractic Advice:
- Severe or persistent pain: If your back pain is intense or doesn’t improve with self-care measures, seek chiropractic attention.
- Pain that wakes you up at night: Nighttime back pain can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
- Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet: This could indicate nerve compression.
- Fever or chills: These could be signs of a spinal infection.
- Pain that is not relieved by rest or over-the-counter pain relievers: This could indicate a more serious problem.
Tips for Managing Nighttime Back Pain:
- Optimize your sleep position: Experiment with different pillows and mattresses to find what supports your spine best.
- Use heat or cold: Applying heat or cold packs to your back can help relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Gentle stretching: Try some gentle back stretches before bed to loosen up your muscles. Check out our video – Lower Back Stretches
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Consult with a healthcare professional: If your back pain is severe or persistent, seek professional advice to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
