Lower back pain only in morning

[SJMCRAE]

I wake every morning with horrible pain in lower back (kidney area) that radiates to the front of stomach (rib area).  I have had battery of tests and found nothing.  I am only able to sleep 5-6 hours before pain wakes me, also unable to take a deep breath until I get out of bed (very painful just to roll over), once I stand and get out of bed the pain almost immediately starts to ease.  After about 20 minutes of walking around and after first morning void, pain disappears for remainder of day.
Could this be a pinched nerve or nerve compression?  Had MRI of lower lumbar which showed normal...chiro recommends stretching excersises, something serious has to be wrong with this kind of pain.  If anyone has any ideas it would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[CindiK]

Yeah, thanks! I am definitely getting more sleep with the psoas exercises working, and dont need to do the 3am 4am walk about to relieve the pain - and get back to sleep. I can get back to sleep by just changing into foetal position on my side. I am doing the stretches daily, but am also doing some gym work for cross training. I am cycling quite hard now as its cooled down drastically in Japan, so sitting in front of the computer and cycling seem to be the wrong things for the psoas. Anyway. Since I have done 4 different variations of the psoas exercises which I found on utube and just randomly selected a few I liked, I am definitely soooo much better.  The fact that I am so much better MUST MEAN that there is a link between the psoas muscle and the back pain. Yet it still feels like colon - this is a joke, but it feels like the colon is joined to other internal organs or something weird!!! Best way to describe it!!  Unfortunately, as with all exercises and muscles, there isnt a miracle pill or quick fix.  Depends how bad the pain is for someone to do exercises and stretches daily, isnt that so!  I try to do my stretches when I am warm or after exercise. Im interested that you too havent had a complete REMEDY - but the same as me, a marked improvement!  Just pleased that I dont have to get up in the night and walk around in order to relieve the pain and get back to sleep! Thanks again!

[dandilaroche]

Thank you very much for your generous explanation you are a SAVIOR.... I have pain since May 2011 after mooving and I was really thinking that I am dying (after all tests and Doc consultation).  But reading this forum is a real savior because I have pain 24 hours a day in my low back and my right hip and now after doctor consultations I have pain everywhere (they really like to touch at the place where it hurts the most) so I can hardly move and all my bones crack like if they rub agains each other.  I am 60 years old and have hard time with the doc diagnostic... nothing serious !
I will try your yoga (gentle) and sleep on my back with pillows onther my legs will also help I am sure.
God Bless,  Danielle

[hawnsun]

I am so glad to hear that the psoas exercises are helping.  I'm still doing them myself.  My back is less tight now but my groin is still a bit tight in the morning.  I've found that I have to go easy on the exercises in order for the muscle not to go back into contraction.  Thanks for your feedback!

[GiGi_1970]

I wrote yesterday about my disc/lesion situation in my back. I would like to add I have no ankle reflex on the left, and both arms(not sure what the reflex is called)on the back elbow, no reflexes. I have not seen the results of the MRI, I was just told a few things about it, as the Dr. was in a mad rush. I also think he left a heck of a lot out(because this has been going on for so long, probably felt like a goofball putting me thru it)As I said I find it impossible to believe I have no nerve problems, not only the reflexes right?,but the pain is so undeniable, its a freak show everyday, an electric lightning shower!(lol). A burning, itching, sunburn, stinging needle and electric storm all over my body. BTW I've also had a LP mainly testing for MS, no bands(?)but slightly elevated protein and glucose. I can say one positive thing about this long hellish experience, it has made me tough as nails, I am so not the same person, but in a good way. But I've had enough now. I know the pain will probably never go away but I need it to be tolerable-I have extremely high tolerance for pain(duh who wouldn't after years of it, right folks). And can I add, why the heck not put me on some strong ***meds? Now that they know, give me some good stuff!(have done pee tests, too). One more thing..there is some kidney dysfunction, in the urine...Anyone have an opinion about that?       Sorry this is so long.

[CindiK]

Another night ... 80% better! I am relieved that these PSOAS exercises are the answer. I really thought it was colon/kidney stones/gall stones or something weird. Just google PSOAS exercises. I found so many and have been doing about 4 different ones. I can post them if you like. Standing, lying, sitting.  Give a great stretch! Stretches in places I have never stretched before and OBVIOUSLY need!  THanks HAWSUN!  It all makes sense because I cycle a lot, so am always 'doubled over' and then spend a lot of time in front of my computer 'doubled over'!! Cant believe that stretching the psoas muscle can give such grief ...

[CindiK]

Ok, report back after one night of Psoas exercises. A year of having to walk for 15 minutes to get rid of the pain at 3 or 4am ... and it was 70% better this morning after the exercises last night.  2nd night ... will report back tomorrow! I think we are onto something with this muscle in the back! HOPEFUL!