Causes of Lower Back Pain While Reclining
There are various reasons why you might feel lower back pain when you lie down. It could be due to your mattress not being right for you, straining your muscles, having a growth like a tumor, or your spinal discs wearing down. Since there are many possible causes for this type of pain, it's important to see a doctor if the pain doesn't go away.
Lower back pain that bothers you when lying down can be due to various reasons. Sometimes, you can feel better by trying a different sleeping position or using a more comfortable mattress.
But if changing your sleep setup doesn’t help, or if the pain happens mainly at night, it might be a sign of a more serious problem like arthritis or degenerative disk disease.
You should see your doctor if your back pain comes with:
- Fever
- Feeling weak
- Pain that goes down into your legs
- Losing weight without trying
- Trouble controlling your bladder
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Pulled muscle
Your backbone and the muscles around it can be sensitive. They are like the main support system of your body, working to keep you upright and steady. If you feel pain when you lie down, there could be various reasons for it.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that usually causes pain in the lower back and pelvis. This pain often increases at night when you're not moving around much.
Spinal tumor
If your back hurts more and more as time goes on, it could be because there's a lump or something growing in your spine. The pain might feel even worse when you lie down because that puts direct pressure on your spine.
Disc degeneration
Degenerative disc disease (DDD), though it sounds like a disease, isn't really one. It's more like a condition that develops slowly over time due to everyday wear and tear on your spine or from injuries.
Treatment for Lower Back Pain
To ease your lower back pain, you can try some simple things at home. These include:
- Changing how you sleep, like trying different positions.
- Putting pillows under your legs or knees when you sleep.
- Using a warm pad on your back.
- Taking non-prescription pain relievers.
- Getting a gentle massage.
It's also good to avoid sitting or lying down for too long. Take breaks from activities that strain your back. Give yourself a break from intense exercise for a few days, then gradually go back to your normal routine to avoid getting stiff.
Usually, minor lower back pain gets better on its own with time. But if it sticks around, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain
To understand how caring for the top two bones in your neck can help with lower back pain, think of spinal health like a top-down system. Ensuring these upper neck bones are aligned properly helps balance your head, which in turn reduces strain on your entire back, including the lower back.
Adjusting the upper cervical (neck) area is a gentle approach compared to general chiropractic methods, which involve less force. Instead of intense twisting and popping, these adjustments use gentle movements to guide the bones back into place. This gentle approach supports longer-lasting corrections and allows the rest of your spine time to heal.
If you're experiencing back pain, consider visiting an upper cervical chiropractor. They can assess whether a gentle adjustment might bring you relief without relying on medication and its potential side effects.
If your back hurts a bit when you lie down, it's likely just a minor issue with your back muscles. Resting and giving it sometime should help ease the pain.
But if your back pain gets worse when you lie down and doesn't improve, it's best to see your doctor. It could be a sign of a more serious problem that needs attention.
Disclaimer:
Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Corrections to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products you obtain through this article or others.
