Morning Pain and Its Causes

Do you feel pain or stiffness in your body when you wake up in the morning? Do your pains last for more than half an hour? Experts point out that stiffness lasting longer than half an hour and pain that wakes you up from sleep in the middle of the night can be one of the early signs of a significant illness. Prof. Dr. Semih Akı, a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist at Anadolu Health Center, provides information about body pains experienced in the morning and their causes.

Waking Up with in the Morning

If a person wakes up in the morning with back and lumbar pain, it is crucial to distinguish whether the sensation is pain or stiffness. Patients often confuse the two. The difference is significant because if the patient mentions stiffness upon waking, it may indicate an underlying disease. It is believed that, aside from the structure of the bed or environmental factors, there is a high likelihood that a disease is causing the stiffness. The duration of stiffness is also considered an important criterion. If stiffness lasts longer than half an hour, it could signal a disease. In such cases, it is essential to investigate any potential rheumatic diseases.

What is Stiffness?

Stiffness is a limitation of movement. During stiffness, the person may not have proper joint function until they get out of bed and wash their face, feeling somewhat restricted in their movements. In healthy individuals, the sensation of stiffness passes quickly. It typically occurs more in the neck, back, and lumbar regions, as well as in the hands. On the other hand, waking up at night with pain may also be a precursor to rheumatic diseases. If a patient wakes up shortly after falling asleep with pain, it could be indicative of an infectious disease, cancer, or some form of degeneration. All three must be investigated.

How to Differentiate Pain?

There is a simple definition for differentiating pains. If pain arises due to mechanical reasons or physical strain, it is generally a pain that increases with movement and decreases with rest. Pain resulting from serious illnesses, however, tends to wake a person from sleep and worsens with rest. If there is pain that awakens the individual, and the stiffness felt after waking lasts longer than half an hour, it is crucial to consult a doctor.

The Most Important Criteria for Healthy Sleep

A mattress that does not conform to the body
A pillow with appropriate firmness and height

One of the main reasons for waking up feeling tired is poor sleep quality. One of the significant causes of poor sleep quality is that the mattress is not suitable for the body. If the person does not sink into the mattress when lying down—meaning the mattress does not conform to the shape of the patient’s body—this is considered ideal firmness. Silica mattresses, which have been used in recent years for distributing body pressure, are also healthy, although not everyone may be satisfied with these mattresses.

When selecting a pillow, the most important criteria are appropriate firmness and height. The firmness of the pillow can vary from person to person, so it is challenging to specify a definitive standard. Individuals can use pillows with the firmness that they find comfortable.

In terms of height, when the patient lies on their side, the ideal height is one that fills the gap between the shoulder and the neck area, but this applies to healthy individuals. Specific types of pillows are recommended for those with neck discomfort.

Last Updated Date: 10 September 2015

Publication Date: 09 October 2015