Are you suffering from aches and pains in the morning? Unfortunately, millions of people experience sore muscles and stiff joints in the morning. There could be a variety of reasons for this, with the severity of pain ranging from mild to even severe in some cases. Aches and pains in the morning are not only uncomfortable, but can at least temporarily limit your mobility during the day. Call our office to find out how we can help you eliminate aches and pains in the morning and throughout the day.
What are Morning Aches and Pains?
Feeling achy and sore in the morning can be different from other types of pain you experience at other times throughout the day. After an intense workout you might have sore muscles from overexertion. If you’ve experienced an injury of some sort, this can also cause pain. Aches and pains in the morning occur after you’ve been sleeping for several hours. Morning pain and stiffness is usually not cause for concern. Harvard Health Publishing states that if stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes you’ll want to see a doctor. These could be signs of more serious conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica.
Causes and Symptoms of Aches and Pains
Accidents, injuries, and chronic health conditions could all be reasons for experiencing ongoing pain. Aches and pains in the morning, however, could be the result of the following:
- Poor Sleeping Positions – Aches and pains in the morning are often related to awkward sleeping positions. Sometimes pain is due to the wrong type of mattress or pillow.
- Inflammation – Chronic low-grade inflammation is sometimes the culprit when experiencing morning aches and pains. Inflammation and morning stiffness often increases with aging.
- Arthritis – If you’re suffering from any type of arthritic condition, pain and soreness may be more of a problem in the morning.
- Diet – A diet that is high in fast food and processed foods can cause inflammation in the joints. Excessive amounts of sugar and red meat could also contribute to aches and pains.
There are several symptoms you might experience if you’re sore and achy in the morning. Pain is often located in the neck and back area, although you may also experience pain in your legs, arms, and shoulders. Stiffness will often accompany morning aches and pains.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting enough exercise can help reduce aches and pains in the morning. Working with a physical therapist can also help. A therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your current health, sleep habits, and medical conditions. A physical therapist can teach you exercises you can do in the morning when you first get out of bed. A routine prescribed by your therapist can target specific problem areas such as your back or shoulders.
A physical therapist can also recommend different sleep positions that may be able to decrease the pain you experience each morning. A physical therapy program can be created that will specifically treat your aches and pains. This could include manual therapy, hot and cold therapy, and sensory re-education.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the field of physical therapy is using cutting-edge treatment such as “brain rewiring” to combat pain. Contact us to learn how physical therapy can help eliminate your aches and pains.
