Back Pain after sleeping

[Jeman]

I have see several people post about back pain that occurs in the mid back area only after sleeping for an extended period of time. eg. not a nap but more like a few hrs or longer.  As soon as I get out of bed the pain is gone or diminishes greatly and is completely gone within a few minutes or so.  The only thing that relieves the pain if I want to stay in bed is to lie in a fetal position curling my back forward like I am doing a sideways sit-up.  I could also lie in a recliner like manner which would be pain free as well.  Anyhow, while I have seen several people write that they have these symptoms I am yet to see a cause or treatment:  Here is a link with the same conditions:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Back-Problem-Support/messages/50.html

Can someone please answer what is the cause of this and what can fix it?

[mike1105]

it sounds muscular to me. these things are usually fixed w proper exercise and stretching. exactly how to do that depends upon the specific muscles involved---a qualified PT should be able to help with this.  It may also be the bed/improper sleeping positions

[billstrong1969]

I have the same problem.  When I wake up my back is so soar it hurts just to get out of bed.  I'm 38 yrs old and a smoker.  After the first hour of waking up it usually subsides.  Ibuprophen 800mg works really well for me.  But I wish I knew what I could do to prevent it.

[mike1105]

proper exercise and stretching, and proper sleeping positioning.

[brandy681]

I can help you a little with this...

When you twist and turn in the night, if your stomach muscles are weak it will not support your back....

You need to do sit-ups, etc... Tighten your stomach because it supports your back. It also makes it HARD to get out of bed if you have a weak stomach muscles...

If you sleep too long, OR too often your back will hurt when you wake up... It can be painful.

I used to have it... I was over-weight and had weak stomach muscles as well as I slept a little too often because of the medications I was on...

It also has to do with the bed. I can sleep on my sofa, because I CANT turn and my back is GREAT!!!!!

If I go to the bed and also the comforter is heavy also... I know this sounds funny but I toss and turn.... I have a fantastic bed!!!!

I still seldom sleep in my own bed because it is not comfortable... I toss and turn and ache and having RLS restless leg I have to move my legs often...

By moving my legs so much in bed and twisting left and right it hurts the back...

BECAUSE the stomach muscles are weak!

I sleep on the SOFA then I am FINE... I started doing Pilates and my RLS is gone, my BACK pain is gone because I have better stomach muscles...

Pilates also helps the back as well as the entire body. Try the Gaiam Pilates entire body. It gently works the entire body. In my opinion it can cure any problem that you have (almost)

I mean I suffered with mid back pain for so long.... Some people said because my chest is so big and it was directly behind my brestbone- mid back... An awful pain...

[brandy681]

Again... If you have those back pains after waking... Please do what I said and you have to let me know how it works....

I used to toss so much in bed, the bed allthough "serta" pillow top was horrible for me....

I would never never recommend a pillow top bed... Now I still to this day sleep on my sofa, until I trade my bed in.

I mean,,,,, I tested it out and felt so much better on the sofa. NO tossing, NO turning!!!

Get a better bed, try the sofa,,,

try pilates.....

If you have to 800mg Advil and RLS medication is good to prevent tossing and turning!

Also Gabapentin is good for the back. TAKE GABAPENTIN AND ADVIL TOGETHER... Prescribed is fantastic..... for back and feet too!