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Back Pain in the Morning

I'm a 26 yr old Male, who currently suffers from back pains in the mornings. Other than the back pains, I would say that I am a healthy and fit person.

The pain only occurs in the mornings. As soon as I get up and start moving around, and stretching out the back, the pain starts to dissappear, with only a slight tingle left during the day, but not really noticeable.

I've tried so many things:
- Celebrex (this helped to relieve the pain, however as soon as I stopped using it, the pain instantly came back. I don't want to be taking drugs for the rest of my life).

- Chiro, this seemed to only provide temp. relief also, but the pain is still there.

- Osteopath, same as Chiro, however has helped my correct my posture.

- I've tried accupuncture, and again this hasn't helped.

- Fearing the worst, I went to the doctors and told them about the pain, and he ordered an xray for my back and this came back fine.

- I've changed my mattress twice now to one that is designed to support the back.

- I've paid attention to my pillow, and have changed that too, to one that provides greater support (latex - dunlopillow)

- I try to exercise regularly, and pay particular attention to stretching out the back.

I believe that the pain must be associated with the way that I sleep. However how does one control how they sleep when they are unconcious. I sleep on my back and sides (when I'm aware). When on my side I bend my knees slightly.

I've had this pain for about 1 year now, and I'm getting very concerned. Any suggestions?

(***@****)

100 Responses
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Avatar universal
I suffered a severe back pain last week. The exact location was the left region in my mid-back. It was excruciatingly painful and initially, I Thought it was periodic/ pulsating as it wasn't constant but kept on coming back in every 5-10 seconds. A little bit later I realized it was due to my movement. Even the smallest possible displacement of any body part, that was connected to my muscles and nerves of the mid back, would trigger the torment.
I was told by the doctor that it was a neuromuscular pain and there were a few reasons why it happend.
1- My posture, as I was leaning against the wall for a few hours while i was looking down at my mobile playing clash of clans.
2- While binge watching on my laptop  for a couple of hours, I was lying on my right side with my head resting on my right hand and my neck in a crooked position.
3- Then i slept on a few of my clothes that were lying on the bed, that created an uneven resting surface for my back.
Well, i paid a painful price for my sloppiness for the next two days. By the third day the pain diminished and was gone by the end of fourth.
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Avatar universal
My mother has the same problem.
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Avatar universal
My pt gave me a very simple exercise which makes it possible to stand when getting out of bed in the morning. Just lay on your back, bend knees, then very gently roll back and forth keeping back straight.  Don't twist your back and rock back and forth very gently for a few minutes.  Pulling knees to chest also helps.  This increases circulation to your spine.  
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Avatar universal
I've been dealing with this for a while myself. over the past three years I've seen several Doctors including Chiro's, DOs and orthopedic specialist. In addition I have a torn Labrum in the front of my hip and have been diagnosed with an Impingement on both sides of the front of my hip due to loss of cartilage. (From Injury)

I thought these problems were connected to the pain in my lower back, however recently I've had a cortisone shot (guided) into the front of my hip which greatly relieved the pain in my hip but had no affect on the pain in my back I'm feeling in the morning.

In addition, I take pain meds daily. (Loritabs 7.5). while these seem to help with the hip as well. They have no apparent affect on the morning pain in my back.

I also have considered that it may be Kidney/liver/ or digestive related but i would think that if so the problem wouldn't be specific to after I've slept for several hours.
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Avatar universal
I've had a weak back for years. Recently, it got very painful in the early AM. with spasms and pinching nerves while getting up. I went to the chiropractor for the first time in my life(61)but his adjustments were painful and he said to go see my GP.
The short of it is- along with a worn, arthritic back; I discovered I have an IBS problem, which was compounding the back pain and it was the IBS(colitis)that was really waking me up in the early am. The pains wrap around my back and left side about navel level. It used to fade as the morning wore on but I guess it's really inflamed and hurts all day(off and on). I can find positions that are comfortable.
I just started to deal with the IBS problems so hopefully I can get better sleep soon and get back to physical work.
A timely, routine colonoscopy showed the inflammation.
Thanking God for his help. God bless you sufferers, too.
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15927882 tn?1444028348
Hi, David here, my brothers has the same problem like you, whenever is get up in the morning he suffers back pain very badly, I think the  reason of the pain is your sleeping style, what you think it's right or wrong?
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Avatar universal
Use soft pillows in below your keens and pillow support to your hands, you can try hot bath and body massage, I feel quite relaxed by this...
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Avatar universal
Hi,

This is what I was going to mention. I have AS. Ankylosing Spondylitis which means fusing of the spine. It is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the spine. For most, it begins in the buttocks, and lower spine. Pain that wakes you during the second half of the night and gets better with movement and not with rest. Many times, it does not show up on xrays and mri's in the early stages. It can affect many things and cause pain in may areas such as chest where the ribs attach to the chest wall, also other ribs area, eyes (iritis), hips, shoulder, heels, knees, ankles, hands, heart, lung expansion from the ribs fusing later... it goes on and on unfortunately. What and how it affects in each individual can be different except for the severe  pain and stiffness in the morning in the last half of the night and usually does get better with movement (at least the back and rib pain does). The part about drinking soda and carbonated beverages can play apart in this. Everything you put into your gut plays a part in causing more inflammtion "flares". Many foods cause inflammation, some do not. Starches are bad for this for example. The trick is finding a rheumatologist that is current on these matters (not old docs sorry) and one preferably that comes well recommended by someone you know. There are a variety of things they can prescribe and there are special diets for those who prefer not to use pharmaceuticals. It is very important to gt this checked out by a rheumatologist though or arthritis research center doc. I haven't been able to return to for my second visit to the rheumy for financial reasons so I am not on any meds as such. It is a horrible disease and I hope none of you have it. Every morning I spend crying the pain is so bad, but clicking on the heating pad helps after the first min of even more intense pain that it cause as it circulates the blood in that area, but it does make it easier to get out of bed in a little while. Aside from the severe morning pain, there are periods of time when the other parts affected by this ideas will flare and usually at the same time. Well for me anyways. My ribs, hip, heels, buttocks back of my legs and shoulders will all ache and/or burn causing tons of fatigue and now walking problems. My heels burn and ache 24 hours a day. Not just with the first seps out of bed for me. The burn all the time. This is all just part of it. We have support groups on Facebook for people diagnosed or not (since sometimes it takes a while to get diagnosed). Just look up ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS under groups.. they are truly supportive and helpful in whatever stage of inquiry or diagnosis you are in. I hope this helps someone.
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Avatar universal
Not sure if this covers everyone on this chain but I have the same thing..lower back pain upon waking up that goes away as the day proceeds.

What happens is overnight the fluid in the discs around your spine accumulate due to gravity..lying down in excess of 5 hours while sleeping.

Then we rise and these gelatinous discs are bursting at the seams with fluid.

They reshape a bit and hit against the nerves in the spinal cord.

As the day proceeds(for me it's 1/2 hour..thank god), the fluid drains and a few hours later I can do cartwheels across Park Ave here in NYC..although I haven't tried that yet ;-)

This happens to a lot of people!

Especially once you pass 50..something else to look forward to.

For you young'uns, not sure why this would be an issue for you..

I'm working now to figure out ways to alleviate this early morning discomfort as I work from home and sitting at my desk after rising is the worst thing I can do..need to help let the fluids drain and sitting actually delays the process.
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone, I'm so glad that I have came across your posts. I have had lower back pain for years. I wake in the morning and feel as if I am paralised. I find it so difficult to turn around to get up,  but once I'm up it takes around thirty min before the pain subsidies. I have read all of the advise given and I am going to try and work out what will help. Thank you all.
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Avatar universal
I am not saying all Chiros are bad but when I went to one two and half years ago he did a movement that brought on severe pain and then after his girls trying to get me to walk for two hours he still would not call an ambulance until it was like three and a half hours. By then I could not feel anything from the waist down. I was in our hospital for three months doing nothing and then they sent me down to a rehab hospital in Toronto and was there for another three months and then I started to walk after so much treatments there. I was home and it still took me another six to twelve months for my walking to come back as good as it is going to be they say. I will say this that some of my MRI or xrays came back ok and they are saying now there is not enough evidence to say this doctor did wrong...YEAH everyone comes out paralyzed after an apt....I don''t know what to do now and I still have a lot of back pain and my right leg still has spasms and they hurt too. I have to get a ENGor EMG test to see if that is the problem but since it has been two and half yrs after the accident I am not sure what good that is going to do but I will try anything to find out what is going on...I hope that they find something out since I am at my wits end.
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9292186 tn?1402901883
I have the same exact thing going on right now, only it's pretty much all day with huge peaks in pain severity.  I had gas and then constipation followed by frequent urination before it got really bad.  I've had this before, and when I'd go to the doctor and tell them that I had a urinary tract/bladder infection, they'd always say that these were not the correct symptoms for a UTI, but I was always right.  I think it's perhaps a UTi and sciatica, because the pain kind of moves around from my mid-back, to my side, to my hip, and down my leg making it nearly impossible for me to stand up, straight, walk, or all of the above.  I do know that I am not overly fond of waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, so I may have been holding my urine too long through the night, then it became even more frequent over time.  Check out UTI, and sciatica.  I'm headed to the doctor tomorrow.  Take care
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Avatar universal
The main reason according to me:
1, sleep too late, or sleep badly.
2, bad trip or move to a new place.
3, less sports.
4, bad emotion.

kidneys? no . not sure .. but I think the kidneys won't go bad by itself... all refer to some bad habit.
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Avatar universal
Hi I have also been suffering with the same issue.  Even if I am really tired I have to get up as the pain is so intense, but as soon as I get up the pain subsides.

I went to my doctor and they thought it was my mattress, I have slept in hotels and friends and I get the same problem.

I recently had a detox and cut out all caffeine, alcohol and other bad sugars.

My bad pain has stopped completely.  I have introduced all the items and I have found out that my problem is caffeine.  I have totally stopped drinking coffee except for very rare occasions and my back pain has totally stopped.

Hope this helps
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Avatar universal
Just an update...haven't found a solution yet but yoga helps a lot. Also, not eating or drinking at least 3 hours before going to bed makes a huge difference to me....go figure.
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Avatar universal
hello just reading your comment , i also have the same problem , it has been 6 months now and i wake up every morning in  the most horrid pain, i have to get up straight away and rub my lower back then stand up, it takes a few hours for it to go , but during the day i have swinges of pain but not much, but i know every morning will be the same... i have had a ultra sound all clear, blood tests for infections all clear, just waitng for my xray results now.... but i am very surprised how many peopel suffer from this, in a way i am glad i am not alone, i hope you find a solution soon x
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Avatar universal
Hi Everyone,

I too am suffering terribly from these morning lower back pains. Some mornings it's so bad that I'm practically paralysed from the waist down and it hurts to just wriggle my toes. It can take me up to 15 mins of prodding and massaging before I can get out of bed. Once I'm up and about the pain subsides after about 30 mins to an hour. Then it's like it never happened.

Here are some things that I have noticed:
- the better I sleep the worse the pain is.
- the pain doesn't kick in until at least 4-5 hours after I've gone to bed.
  (i could wake up 2 or 3 times before that and my back is fine)
- if I eat anything during the 3 hours before I go to bed the morning pain is excrutiating.
- Magnesium doesn't help.
- Stretching before bed doesn't help.
- Cutting out coffee didn't help (but I still drink tea)

I know as we get older our bones get porous and I do think, as stated in an earlier comment, that the lubrication around the joints drain away and pool up, then as we move around our muscles kind of "squeeze" the lubricant back out, making the pain go away.  Having said this, are we all suffering from osteoporosis???  Anyway, I might try a few of these suggestions from this website http://www.simple-remedies.com/home-remedies/osteoporosis-treatment.html
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Avatar universal
I have a solution for those of you people having a problem with back/kidney pain in the  morning that goes away quickly after getting up and urinating. Most likely the problem is kidney/urine reflux, where the urine backs up in the kidneys at night, this can be caused by debris or tiny stones caused by too much calcium in the urine which is usually caused by caffeine. Caffeine is extremely acidic and because the body MUST keep a somewhat neutral PH it has to excrete calcium  for this task. That's why caffeine also causes osteoporosis.

check out this great article -
http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/communications/familymedicine/2011/3427.htm).  

I used to drink tea daily and I had this problem for about 2 years and then I went on vacation with my wife  and didn't drink any tea and noticed I woke up with no pain. I was pleasantly intrigued. I thought maybe it  was the lack of stress because I was on vacation or it could be the mattress. So, when I got home and the  pain came back I stopped drinking tea and the pain went away.

I started drinking coffee a few months later, (just one cup a day), and at first I was fine, but slowly the  morning pain returned. The pain seemed to be more centralized directly between my kidneys instead on each  side like before but it was definitely the same kind of pain that resides quickly after getting out of bed  and urinating. I stopped drinking anything with caffeine and I am happy to say, I have absolutely no pain  at all.

Funny thing is if I drink alcohol the night before, I usually don't have the pain in the morning. I assume  it's because you **** out all your water before you go to bed and then you become somewhat dehydrated so  you produce less urine.

"Coffee is an irritant to the urinary tract and bladder. It is also a diuretic that  aggravates conditions associated with frequent urination. Eliminating coffee and caffeine often relieves  symptoms associated with frequent urination due to enlarged prostate glands."

Great article - http://drkaslow.com/html/coffee-caffeine.html


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Avatar universal
I am 29 female who has suffered with morning back pain for 7 years. I can't remember really when it started (not from any particular incident). My sister suffers from it as well and is 10yrs older than me. I've always been healthy and active. I eat a completely organic diet, no alcohol and no cane sugar. I drink 2-3 litres of water a day. I've seen Chiro, osteo for years they only give temp relief, I take heaps of vitamins a day, tried accupunture with no effect. Have massages- nice, but no effect the next day. Only thing that worked for a while was no carbohydrates or sugar of any kind. It was hard to maintain but try paleo diet but don't eat fruit. See if it helps, I might try that again, hard to stick to bc I love to cook.
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Avatar universal
I'm 14 it all started 6-12 months ago I woke up 3-5 hours after falling asleep  with a pain In the upper-centre of my back. I kind of ignored it but it is getting to the stage where it hurts so much, just wish it would go away.
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Avatar universal
Hi. Sorry to hear about everyone's back issues. I am a nurse and have back pain myself, probably just wear and tear but also due to herniated discs and muscle spasm so I know where you are coming from. Have also witnessed patients with severe back pain.
Whilst you may have spinal issues your back pain may also be due to Neuropathic pain caused by a variety of issues, one being related to medications or alcohol use. Dehydration could also be a cause.
So I would suggest trying to eliminate certain things from your diet, such as alcohol initially and see if there is an immediate improvement. You could also increase water intake during the day and perhaps try a supplement. Magnesium deficiency can also be a related issue, so magnesium supplement may be beneficial for a period of time. Fish oil tablets may also help...if it doesn't help our back, at least it might help our brain! ;-))
Failing that, RESTING (ie NO physical exercise for a period of time could be beneficial) along with heat packs and medication prescribed to you. Then introduce stretching exercises which will help reduce muscle spasm too, perhaps glucosamine also. Failing that an Xray or MRI, then as needed, physio or physical therapy, posture correction, meds or surgery. Go easy on the anti inflammatories if possible. Other meds can be prescribed for pain in addition or instead... panadol osteo, codeine based meds or low dose narcotics can help severe pain for short periods.but can be addictive and have side effects. I am sure you all know this already but hope to help a little. Stay positive
All the best, hope things improve
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Avatar universal
After reading the entire thread from 05 to now it is clear that there are many different issues being talked about. If your pain is in the lower back/ flanks, non radiating and quickly resolved by movement then it may be more diet and activity related. As discussed before- gas may build up causing discomfort, corbinated beverages/ muscle use and training lead to increased lactic acid build up (as does sleep apnea!), previous injuries- especially when you are still growing- possibly involving bone growth plates can lead to ongoing and chronic problems later in life. Radiating pains into the legs or upper back suggest possible pinched nerves like in siatica. Perhaps those seeking help from buddies need to actually see a doctor. My pain has been on going for years, but I only started looking it up on the Internet because it is such a short term issue for me. I can't sleep in- so I don't, it hurts till I get up- so I get up. I have sleep apnea so I use a CPAP machine (if you snore- look into it!), for proper diagnosis you do need to be as specific as possible relating area, type and intensity of pain (the number scale is often used 1-10- 1 being you stubbed your toe and 10 you got hit by a truck [or the worst pain you have ever felt]. Talking to your doctor is necessary- certainly if nerves are suspected or relation to previous injuries and or a history of arthritis- a doctor is someone with experience treating people with a host of issues possibly very similar to your individual complaint. They can also refer you to other resources should the simple lifestyle changes noted in this discussion be inadequate. If you change doctors you don't have to start from scratch describing your problem and all the things you have tried to relieve the problem. He or she may ask you to give them a description of the problem, but that is to ensure they have a proper grasp of the specifics- things not always obvious from brief notes. Start simple, keep moving, keep looking and trying new things and never give up.
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Avatar universal
Im 42 and have had this problem for about 7 years. It has got noticably worse as time has passed, but some mornings are worse than others. I simply can't spend anymore than 9 hours in bed- if I do the pain and stiffness is terrible. I have done nothing as far as follow up with a doctor in response to this problem. It hurts to change possition or get up in the morning, but I push through it because it improves very rapidly with walking around and voiding my bladder. I am currently quite sedentary, but the pain was no different when I was training for a 1/2 marathon. I believe after reading this old thread that lactic acid and indeed carbonic acid may be large contributors to pain in the flanks in the morning. Drinking a couple large glasses of water 2 hours prior to bed and stealing clear of carbonated drinks after supper may help significantly. As a registered nurse I have seen, on countless ,  how similar factors affect people differently. This may not help everyone- or certainly cure anyone, but avoiding narcotics or prolonged NSAID use and managing symptoms is the goal here. I hurt this morning and realized I had a large mug of diet coke before bed- the stiffness and discomfort started after about 5 hours- noted that when I got up to go to the bathroom. The lactic acid- a biproduct of muscle use, and carbonic acid- a component of carbonated beverages are processed by the kidneys. Perhaps too much of these chemicals- sitting in the kidneys are causing the pain. Cleansing the works with water may help decrease the overnight acid bath that the kidneys are exposed to. I am often surprised at how simple solutions have extraordinary results and how what we consume determines how we feel.
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Avatar universal
Hi All I am new to this horrible morning lower back/pelvic pain.  I recently got over a kidney infection and am in the process of passing a small stone which i believe i have already passed. I am now dealing with a morning pain that is similar to the kidney pain i experienced but not exact and only in the morning where the kidney pain was all day.  It is so bad i must take a vicodin and ibuprofen 800 in the A.M. to function at all.  Note the pain is DEBILITATING & EXCRUCIATING to answer the previous question of how does it feel, but more specifically a constant sharp pain in the lower back, hips and pelvic area.  I dont know how long it last because in the last week I have not been able to function without the pain killers.  I did some research and found that the Here is an excerpt from eHow Health:  

Important Warnings about Ciprofloxacin: Ciprofloxacin carries a special warning about the possibility of developing tendinitis or experiencing a tendon rupture while taking this medication, Medline Plus warns. People over the age of 60 are more susceptible to this. Children under 18 can develop problems with bones, joints or the tissues surrounding joints. Joint and tendon problems usually occur in the shoulder, hands and back of the ankle, but they can occur elsewhere. Although tendinitis or joint pain could involve the back, back pain, especially if accompanied by a fever, may indicate a different problem. Both types of back pain should be reported to your doctor immediately.

This antibiotic is prescibed to cure not just UTI's and Kidney infections but many other conditions such as venerial diseases.  Please respond if you have taken this drug, we may be onto something.  I will try all suggestions to help with my pain.  Is there any legal minds out there who can answer this question "If a drug company warns of a condition you may develop from taking their drug are they free of liability?" and "Does the word develop without the word temporarily indicate an indefinite condition?"
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