When i lay in bed my back hurts?

Sometimes you might wonder “Why does my back hurt when I lay down flat”? when you may notice that your back only hurts when you lay down or sleep on a flat surface. As you know, there are plenty of reasons for back pain when lying down. Well, it is a common thing to experience pain in your back when you lay down, especially if your sleeping posture isn’t appropriate. There is a chance you might have to deal with back pain when your spine position has changed because you are lying on your back.

From mild to severe, back pain intensity can define if you need to consult a doctor or not. If you are suffering from back pain when sleeping at night, you may not get enough rest which may affect your daily work and life. Muscle stiffness and a limited range of motion can get you irritated and make you wish you were getting low back pain treatment as soon as possible.

Back pain is a common condition and for some people, it happens when they sleep flat on their back. For others, the pain arises when they lay down on their sides. In this article, we will give you an insight into how back pain can cause pain as well as discomfort when you sleep in different positions. Not only will we be discussing the cause of nighttime back pain but also the treatment by a professional back pain specialist.

It is possible to get lower back pain when lying down on a bed, couch, or the ground. Low back pain may be a thing that you want to be serious about as it may be an early sign of a serious infection, disease, or other conditions. But you can only be sure about it after getting diagnosed by a pain management doctor. In such a condition, pain will develop in your lower back when you lay down or sleep. It can be caused by several things such as a change of spine position, inappropriate sleeping position, change of mattress or pillow, or it can be symptoms of some serious conditions like Arthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease. You should actively discuss with a professional doctor if lower back pain is accompanied by:

One of the most common reasons for upper back or neck pain involves sleeping in a position that puts pressure on the spine and causes it to curve. This is because when you sleep, your muscles tend to relax, and the weight of your head falls on your spine. So, if your spine position is in an uncomfortable position, it will lead to the upper back or neck pain. In case you are habituated to keeping a pillow under your head while sleeping, then a change in the pillow or its position can also cause back pain in the upper section. Although it may not seem like a serious problem, upper back pain can cause sciatica, neck pain can cause headaches, or even lead to serious spinal damage in some cases. If upper back or neck pain persists when you lay down, it can happen anywhere between the base of the neck and rib cage. Most people generally suffer from back pain in different conditions like:

In such a condition, you are more likely to develop back pain when lying down flat on your back. If left untreated, back pain can make it harder for you to get a good night’s sleep. We recommend you consult with a professional back pain doctor if you are experiencing severe back pain when you lay on your backside on any surface.

Are you thinking about why does my back hurt When I lay down flat? If you lay down on your side and back pain persists, it may be due to the inappropriate spine position due to the pressure exerted and a slight spinal bend. Improper sleeping position can lead to headaches and facial pain, but it may also give a dull ache in your lower back. The pain will typically be on one side and be worse after waking up. Once you notice the pain on your left or right side, you should get effective treatment for back pain when lying down flat on your sides.

Back pain is one of the most common health problems among people occurring at some point in their routine life. It affects people of all age groups and develops due to a variety of reasons. Here are some reasons for back pain:

Nighttime back pain is something most people are not serious about when you should be. Because back pain often persists in the night when you are sleeping and it can affect your life. It is then beneficial to consult with a back pain specialist. Some of the most common causes of nighttime back pain include:

Lumbar Sprain or Strain: Your muscles or ligaments are stretched too far when you are working out or engaged in any sports. Lumbar (Lower Back) sprains and strains can lead to back pain.

Spine Osteoarthritis: At night, you may experience intense back pain due to the wear and tear of the spine which generally happens due to less physical activity during the day.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rare type of arthritis that can cause constant inflammation in the back and neck. The pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis arthritis can worsen at night when you are sleeping. Such a condition may lead to pain in the lower back and pelvis.

Spinal Tumor: Spinal Tumor or Growth can worsen the pain when lying down as it will exert pressure directly on the back. Seeking urgent treatment and care will be beneficial for such a condition.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Although the exact cause of Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is not known, it is predicted to happen due to persistent wear and tear as well as trauma or injury.

Sciatica: Sleeping in an inappropriate position may sometimes cause pain in the sciatic nerve. If you are dealing with back pain that goes all the way to your legs, then you should consider consulting with a professional for Sciatica treatment.

To get treatment for back pain when lying down flat, one should consult with an expert back pain doctor. A professional back pain specialist will suggest specific medications, treatments, and therapies that will efficiently offer pain relief for nighttime back pain. Some of the effective back pain treatments that a professional pain management doctor may suggest are:

Lower back pain can be mild. It can also be so severe that it keeps you from functioning in your daily life.

Nighttime pain can make it hard to get enough rest. It can also affect you during the day. Lower back pain can lead to muscle stiffness and a limited range of motion.

This article takes a look at some of the things that can cause back pain when you lie down. It also explains how the cause can be diagnosed and treated.

Nighttime back pain usually isn't a sign of a serious health condition. But when it happens often or it interferes with your life, it's probably time to get it checked out.

Some of the most common causes include:

Everybody handles pain differently. Still, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider right away if your pain:

You may want to start by checking with your primary healthcare provider. They will be able to treat or refer you to a specialist if needed.

For example, if your healthcare provider thinks your pain may be caused by an inflammatory condition, you may need to see a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist specializes in arthritis and diseases that involve the bones, muscles, and joints.

You may find it helpful to know how pain is categorized:

To find the cause, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam. Be prepared to talk about your medical history to help identify or rule out health conditions.

Your healthcare provider will ask you to describe your pain. You may want to note:

You may also need other tests to help with the diagnosis, including:

Your treatment will depend on what's causing your pain. Healthcare providers often start with pain remedies such as:

Because the pain happens at night, your healthcare provider will probably want to improve your sleep environment. You may need to change your sleeping position, pillows, or mattress.

Your treatment plan could also include complementary remedies.

These might include:

If your pain is severe or isn't getting better with these methods, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery. Surgery may be a good option for degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and spinal osteoarthritis. It sometimes helps with AS.

Not all conditions that cause nighttime lower back pain can be prevented. Even so, there are strategies you can use to keep your back healthy and pain-free.

Many experts suggest the following to keep pain from getting worse:

Some risk factors increase the chance of having low back pain. These include:

Nighttime lower back pain can make it hard to get good sleep. Without rest, you may have a harder time recovering from illness or injury.

To improve your sleep while dealing with lower back pain, experts recommend that you:

Back pain when you lie down can have a wide range of causes. Some are serious and others are less so. It's important to find out what's causing your pain, especially if it's disrupting your sleep.

Muscle strains are the most common cause. Different types of arthritis, sciatica, and spinal changes can also lead to nighttime back pain.

A healthcare provider will need to find out when your pain started and what makes it better or worse. You may also need to have bone scans, blood tests, or other tests to pinpoint the cause.

Resting or laying down at night after a long day should be a relaxing experience, but lower back pain when laying down can make it hard to relax. Lower back pain in the morning after sleeping can also be disruptive to your day. Back pain is a common experience, with about 80% of people experiencing back pain in their lives. Fortunately, most back pain can be relieved with simple, non-invasive techniques. If lower back pain does not go away after a few weeks of self-care, a physical therapist can help.

Back pain comes from the tissues around the spine. The spinal column is the structure that supports the body and is made of bones called vertebrae. There are dozens of vertebrae that lead from the neck down into the lower back or “lumbar region”. Cushioning pads between the vertebrae called intervertebral discs act like shock-absorbers and prevent the vertebrae from grinding. The vertebrae are held together by ligaments, and muscles are attached to the spine by tendons. The spinal column is not solid bone; the spine is like a sturdy, segmented tube. The open space within the spine (the “spinal canal”) protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord runs from the brain down into the base of the spine and is made of the many nerves the body needs to transmit electrical signals that let us feel and move. Nerves come out of the spine at various places to transmit signals to and from different parts of the body to the brain. Strain or injury to any part of the spine can result in back pain.

If your lower or upper back hurts when laying down, there may be a disruption to your spine causing the pain. Most back pain is acute, or lasting only a few weeks. Chronic back pain lasts 12 weeks or more.

Injuries are a common source of back pain and arise from harmful physical activity or bad posture. Heavy lifting with incorrect posture or injuries from accidents can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the spine. Though resting can sometimes help, back pain may feel worse when lying down or sitting down due to the increased pressure on parts of the spine. Excessive bed rest can make back pain worse as the muscles get stiff and sore.

Congenital spine abnormalities, or spinal disruptions that a person is born with, may change the structure or curve to the spine. Scoliosis causes a side-ways curve, lordosis causes an inwards curve, and kyphosis (also called hunchback) causes an outwards curve of the spine. These disruptions to the normal curve of the spine can cause pain and extra pressure on other organs in the body. Back pain when laying down could be caused by a soft mattress exacerbating the already altered curve of the spine. Spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal that pinches the nerves in the spinal cord, can be congenital or develop over time. Spinal stenosis associated pain is typically worse when standing and is relieved when sitting down.

Infection of tissues in or around the spine can cause inflammation and pain. Back pain accompanied by swelling, inflammation, and/or fever could be an infection and requires immediate medical attention.

Diseases that affect the spine can cause pain. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone is weak and increases the risk for vertebral fractures. Inflammatory diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation and pain in the lower back with movement or when laying down.

Degeneration of spinal tissues occurs naturally throughout life as the spine experiences normal wear-and-tear throughout years. Vertebrae may degenerate and press against nerves that run through the spine. Intervertebral discs wear down and lose their ability to cushion the vertebrae. Discs can also become herniated or ruptured, causing a bulging disc that may compress spinal nerves and cause pain. The nerves may get more compressed when sitting, making back pain worse when lying down or sitting. A specific nerve named the sciatic nerve originates in the lower spine and runs into the legs. Compression of this nerve can cause a burning, shooting pain that runs down one of the legs (sciatica).

Non-spinal issues can also cause the sensation of back pain. Kidney stones, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and pregnancy may cause back pain without any injury to the spine. In rare cases, tumors can also cause persistent back pain and require medical treatment. These situations should be addressed by a medical provider.

Some spine issues may feel worse at night or when lying down or sitting. Increased pain may be caused by more compression on the spine in certain positions.

Most back pain does not need a diagnosis to start treatment. However, doctors can use diagnostic tests to identify more serious causes of back pain. Tests that doctors may use to help diagnose your back pain include:

In most cases, back pain is not medically serious and can be treated without the need for diagnostic tests. However, some back pain requires immediate medical attention. Talk to your doctor if back pain coincides with unexplained weight loss, inflammation or fever, new inability to control the bladder or bowels (incontinence), or any tingling or numbness in the legs.

Most back pain can be relieved by at-home care. The type of care needed for back pain depends on if the pain is acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term, 12 weeks or more).

Early care for acute lower back pain starts with heat/ice, stretching, and gentle exercise. Bed rest is not recommended except in cases of severe pain. Experts recommend moving whenever possible to prevent the muscles in the back from becoming stiff and sore, which could make back pain worse. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like aspirin and ibuprofen), and analgesics (like Tylenol) can help manage lower back pain. A physical therapist can help you learn the stretches and exercises that relieve lower 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.

Forming habits to take care of your body can prevent lower back pain when lying down or sitting. Risk factors for developing back pain include genetics, age, physical activity, and general health.

Physical activity strengthens the muscles that support the spine. If those muscles become weak due to inactivity, the spine is not stabilized and can cause pain. A healthy diet with plenty of vitamin D and calcium supports bone health so that the spine is strong and healthy. Exercise and a nutritious diet also help manage a healthy weight. Excess body weight puts more stress on the spine which can cause pain and speed up the degeneration of intervertebral discs. Smoking disrupts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the spine, which can cause deterioration of the discs and spinal tissues; therefore, quitting smoking is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent back pain. If you experience back pain, a physical therapist can show you exercises that will help stabilize your spine and prevent pain.

Good posture and providing proper support for you back are also important for preventing back pain. Hunching over a desk all day without back support can cause back pain. This pain can be avoided by creating an ergonomic work space and taking frequent breaks from sitting to stretch and walk around. Frequent heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling may also cause painful spine injuries. If lifting is necessary, make sure to use the correct form and do not twist your back while lifting. Uncomfortable, unsupportive, and heeled shoes can also contribute to back pain. Heeled shoes change how your spine bends while standing, resulting in pain. This can be avoided by wearing supportive, low-heeled shoes. If you have lower back pain in the morning after sleeping, your mattress could be to blame. While a worn-out or unsupportive mattress allows excess curvature of the spine, a firm mattress properly supports the spine to prevent pain.

It can be caused by several things such as a change of spine position, inappropriate sleeping position, change of mattress or pillow, or it can be symptoms of some serious conditions like Arthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease.