What Causes Lower Back Pain When Lying Down

Causes Of Lower Back Pain When Laying Down

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Treatment For Upper Back Pain

Treatment for upper back pain depends on the cause. Mild to moderate back pain can typically be handled with:

• Rest

• Ice or heat packs

• Non-prescription drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , or acetaminophen

• Manual therapy, such as physical treatment, massage therapy, Thai yoga massage, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation

• Workout, Pilates, or yoga.

If your pain is even worse at night or when lying down, your doctor or physiotherapist may suggest you attempt several things to reduce your upper back pain in bed, such as:

• Maintain your spinal column in a neutral position using a different bed mattress or foam mattress topper for additional assistance or use cushions to support your spine.

• Sleep in a different position, such as sleeping on your back or alternating sides if you are a side sleeper.

• Invest in a supportive and just-right cushion for your head and neck curvature.

Strengthening and stretching your back muscles may also provide relief since they can help stabilize the spine. You can also use a foam roller to increase the flexibility of the upper back.

As your spine curve improves, you may readjust your pillow again. The height of maybe a moving target depending upon whether you can change the way you sleep or your curvature.

How To Treat Pelvic Pain

Mild and temporary pelvic pain is usually not a source of concern. If you get pelvic pain only when lying down at night and its preventing you from getting enough sleep, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor.

Many men and women are reluctant to see a healthcare professional about this problem. They usually hope pelvic pain will go away on its own. Keep in mind pelvic pain is not a condition by itself, but usually a sign of a much bigger problem. Its understandable to wonder why do I have pelvic pain when I lie down.

But, the only way to know the exact cause is to get a proper diagnosis from your healthcare provider. Diagnosis will also make the treatment of pelvic pain a lot easier.

So, how to relieve pelvic pain when sleeping? How to treat this kind of pain in general?

One way to relieve pelvic pain when sleeping is to sleep with a pillow between your knees. Pillow will keep your pelvic area aligned and take the pressure off the hip and pelvic muscles. While you can use a regular pillow, you can also invest in a body pillow if youre pregnant.

Instead of cotton pajamas, you may want to opt for silk and satin pajamas. That way you can slide around in bed. Cotton would cause more friction.

Another option is to wear a belly band or a pregnancy support band to maintain proper alignment of the pelvis and reduce pain.

Lifestyle modifications are also necessary, especially for persons whose pelvic pain is chronic or comes and goes. These tips can help you out:

Recommended Reading: How Much Advil Can I Take For Back Pain

Why Does Low Oxygen Cause Back Pain

If you recall all the way back to high school or college biology class, human cells use oxygen to turn food into energy.

Without giving you unpleasant flashbacks by explaining the full process of glyocolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, the simple explanations is that you CAN create energy without oxygen, but it’s much less efficient to do so and it creates a bi-product of lactic acid – the same chemical that causes you to “feel the burn” in your muscles after a hard workout.

Now, if you’re trying to rest, the last thing you want is to “feel the burn” in your back muscles.

So how can you keep your lower back muscles from stiffening up when lying down?

What Is Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain can occur anywhere from the base of the neck to the middle of the ribs. It can additionally include the shoulder blades or the ribs.

The upper back has:

• Vertebrae, the bones of the back. There are 12 vertebrae in the upper and middle back . The ribs attach to the vertebrae in the back and the sternum in the front.

• Spinal discs that separate the vertebrae and provide cushioning and support.

• Muscles and ligaments that hold the spinal column together.

• 2 shoulder blades that are attached to the upper back and shoulders by muscles and ligaments.

Upper back pain is less usual than pain in the neck or lower back because the spine in the upper back is less adaptable. This is because the upper and middle back, ribs, and sternum form a tough cage to protect the heart, lungs, and other essential body organs.

In general, upper back pain can be caused by:

• Muscle strain or overuse

• Injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or spinal discs that support the back

• Poor posture during work or pastime, particularly for extended periods without a break

• A herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or another condition that puts pressure on the spinal nerves

• One or more fractured vertebrae

• Osteoarthritis in the spine. This happens when the cartilage of the joints and discs breaks down. It is much more usual in the neck and lower back

• Myofascial discomfort, which related to the connective tissue that wraps around and supports the muscles of the back

• Whiplash or a car accident.

Read Also: Will Aleve Help Back Pain

What Are The Causes Of Pelvic Pain

I have a sharp stabbing pain uterus, but not pregnant. Why does it happen? As seen above, pregnancy is a common cause of pelvic pain. But, it can also affect non-pregnant women. Multiple causes are involved, lets discuss them below.

The sections below act as pelvic pain symptom checkers. You can use them to learn why you feel discomfort and stabbing sensation in this area. However, this is not a replacement for scheduling the appointment to see the doctor about severe pelvic pain when lying down, sitting, or standing even.

Why Do I Have Pelvic Pain When Sitting Or Lying Down

Pelvic pain happens due to a number of causes. We will discuss them in greater detail below. Its not uncommon for patients to feel their pain is worse when sitting or lying down. As you can presume, pelvic pain when sitting or lying down results from several causes too. Pelvic congestion syndrome is one of them. Basically, pelvic congestion syndrome is a type of chronic pelvic pain described as aching or dull.

This kind of pain is, actually, the worst when a patient is sitting or standing. It improves once you lie down. Besides pain, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, nausea, pain after sexual intercourse, and leg fullness.

Pudendal nerve entrapment can cause this kind of pain too. Essentially, the pudendal nerve supplies feeling to the urethra, genital area, and anus. What happens here is that surgery, injury, or growth can form pressure onto the pudendal nerve in the region where it leaves or enters the pelvis.

Pudendal nerve entrapment leads to nerve pain that feels like deep aching pain like an electric shock. The pain is at its worst when you sit.

In other words, you may experience pain when sitting or lying down due to excess pressure on the pelvic area, especially if the pain is also radiating to your lower back region.

You May Like: Is Aleve Good For Back Pain

Sleep Position To Cause Back Pain

When we’re lying-in bed, we don’t really worry about our spines. But our posture for sleep will help decide whether we feel back pain or not. What’s even more surprising is that most back pain, including cancer or arthritis, isn’t caused by severe medical conditions. Instead, discomfort or pressure from poor posture, uncomfortable sleeping positions, and other lifestyle behaviors also cause it like most of the back doctors say. See what a back specialist recommends for better back health.

Abdominal Discomfort Mimicking Back Pain

There are a number of disorders involving the abdominal organs that can produce back pain symptoms, and some of these disorders are quite serious. Although rare, they cannot be overlooked.

The most serious vascular disorder presenting as back pain is the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients are often difficult to diagnose early on, as initial symptoms may be subtle and non-specific. As the process gets worse, the pain becomes deep-seated and localized to the thoracic or thoracolumbar segments of the spine. If your doctors have already said you have an aneurysm, then intense pain, undiminished by narcotics, should trigger you to go immediately to the emergency room.

Back pain can be triggered by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcers, especially those involving the posterior duodenal wall, may cause upper lumbar back pain. A “perforated” ulcer may trigger intense pain and spasm, as well as signs of generalized illness and an acute abdomen.

Any type of kidney disease may cause back pain referred to the upper lumbar junction and flank. Kidney stones are a notorious cause of severe, incapacitating back pain. This kind of pain typically comes in waves, causing intense back spasms and pain for a few minutes, then easing off for a bit before coming back with a vengeance. Pain like this is referred to as colic, and is typical for kidney stones, gall stones and kidney infections.

Don’t Miss: Is Aleve Or Ibuprofen Better For Back Pain

How To Sleep Better With Lower Back Pain

Getting quality sleep is an important part of recovering from lower back pain, but sleeping well may seem like a tall task when your back hurts. While theres no guaranteed way to get better sleep, certain practical tips can help:

• Find a supportive sleeping position. Ideally, you can sleep on your side, but regardless of the position, make sure your spine is well-aligned. If needed, use extra pillows for body support.
• Be careful with alcohol and caffeine. Though alcohol may help you doze off, it can throw off the quality of your sleep. As a stimulant, caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Try relaxation methods. Finding techniques to wind down can put you in the right state of mind for sleep with less focus on pain.
• Reduce potential sleep disruptions. If you inadvertently wake up at night, pain may make it harder to get back to sleep. For that reason, try to eliminate excess noise and light from your bedroom or block them out with a sleep mask or earplugs. Set your bedroom to a temperature that will be comfortable throughout the night.

Focusing on sleep hygiene can improve your sleep habits so that you can sleep better both during and after episodes of lower back pain.

Join Our Growing Community

People are fixing their back pain from home and now it couldnt be easier for you to join us too. Click the button below and join the Back In Shape Program for Free and start feeling better today.

Don’t Miss: How Does A Diuretic Help Back Pain

If You Have Chronic Back Pain That Wakes You Up In The Second Half Of The Night It Could Be A Type Of Inflammatory Arthritis Called Ankylosing Spondylitis

This video is part of a new campaign about ankylosing spondylitis awareness from the nonprofit patient community CreakyJoints. The videos in this campaign were produced with support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

If youre reading this article, chances are your back pain is bad so bad that its disrupting your ability to sleep well, which generally makes everything in life worse. Poor sleep can exacerbate pain symptoms, affect daytime fatigue, and contribute to a host of other health problems, from heart disease to weight gain to diabetes.

Its an important first step that youre taking your back pain at night seriously and looking for answers as to what is causing it.

Back pain at night could be due a number of different health concerns , but one that often goes overlooked is inflammatory back pain from conditions like ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis . These are types of arthritis that affect your spine and other parts of the body, causing inflammation, chronic pain, and, over time, joint damage that can cause the bones in your spine to fuse together.

In a study presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, morning stiffness and pain that wakes people up from sleep were the two most common symptoms in people with back pain from inflammatory arthritis like AS.

So How Can I Avoid Middle Back Pain When Lying Down Or Sleeping

The first thing to do is determine why you have the pain from the causes above.

If you have a disease history, seeking a medical advice is recommended. For a muscular tension problem, doing an appropriate sleeping position is the best way to relieve the pain.

• The back position

This is the most back-friendly sleeping position. In order to relieve the lumbar spine, it is advisable to put a thicker pillow under your knees. However, the pillow should not be too thick, otherwise, the area of the upper spine will be bent too much. Special neck pillows are particularly well suited to relieve neck and shoulders.

• The lateral sleep position

In the lateral position, especially on hard mattresses, the spine is bent to one side and the pelvis is skewed. This position can be compensated by a pillow between the knees. A thin pillow under the waist supports the middle area of the spine.

Read Also: Advil For Back Pain Dosage

Lower Back Pain Causes

Nonspecific low back pain means that the pain is not due to any specific or underlying disease that can be found. It is thought that in some cases the cause may be an over-stretch of a ligament or muscle. In other cases the cause may be a minor problem with a disc between two spinal bones , or a minor problem with a small facet joint between two vertebrae. There may be other minor problems in the structures and tissues of the lower back that result in pain. However, these causes of the pain are impossible to prove by tests. Therefore, it is usually impossible for a doctor to say exactly where the pain is coming from, or exactly what is causing the pain.

To some people, not knowing the exact cause of the pain is unsettling. However, looked at another way, many people find it reassuring to know that the diagnosis is nonspecific back pain which means there is no serious problem or disease of the back or spine.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain

Symptoms of lower back pain can come on suddenly or appear gradually. Sometimes, pain occurs after a specific event, such as bending to pick something up. Other times, you may not know what caused the pain.

Pain may be sharp or dull and achy, and it may radiate to your bottom or down the back of your legs . If you strain your back during an activity, you may hear a pop when it happened. Pain is often worse in certain positions and gets better when you lie down.

Other symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Stiffness: It may be tough to move or straighten your back. Getting up from a seated position may take a while, and you might feel like you need to walk or stretch to loosen up. You may notice decreased range of motion.
• Posture problems: Many people with back pain find it hard to stand up straight. You may stand crooked or bent, with your torso off to the side rather than aligned with your spine. Your lower back may look flat instead of curved.
• Muscle spasms: After a strain, muscles in the lower back can spasm or contract uncontrollably. Muscle spasms can cause extreme pain and make it difficult or impossible to stand, walk or move.

Read Also: How Much Advil For Back Pain

Symptoms Of Low Back Pain

Low back pain varies by person. It may be a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain. It could be acute or chronic . You may have pain in other parts of your body as well as your back.

• Your pain goes down your leg below your knee.
• Your leg, foot, groin, or rectum feel numb.
• You have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or weakness.
• You have trouble going to the bathroom.
• Your pain was caused by an injury.
• Your pain is so intense that you cant move around.
• Your pain doesnt improve or gets worse after 2 to 3 weeks.

Treating Chronic Back Pain

Experts recommend starting with non-invasive treatments for chronic back pain such as heat and ice, stretching/exercising, massage, and dry needling. Electrical stimulation may be helpful in relieving pain. While there are several medications available to relieve back pain, the American College of Physicians recommends starting with non-invasive and non-drug therapies. Medications may have side-effects or risks of addition, especially prescribed opioids. If chronic pain persists, spinal injections may help relax muscles and treat pain. Steroidal injections can treat pain for inflammation-associated sciatica, but steroids are not advised for long-term use.

If chronic, severe pain does not respond to non-invasive treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery as a last-resort option. Surgery is not always successful and can have a long recovery period. During surgery, doctors can repair or replace damaged intervertebral discs, re-align or fuse vertebrae, or implant nerve stimulators that disrupt pain signals with electrical stimulation. Physical therapy can help the recovery process after surgery.

You May Like: How Much Advil For Back Pain