Lower back muscle pain

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

I know I should count myself as extremely lucky, as at 48 I've not had a single thing wrong with me apart from flu and colds, but a couple of weeks ago I woke up with unbelievable stiffness in my lower back. Came on overnight, no source such as trauma or strain. Definitely muscular rather than spinal.

Now every day I wake and this area - a band across my lower back below my spine- is so stiff and painful. Ibuprofen and heat isn't touching it, and although it loosens up over the course of the day ( my job is reasonably active) it's back with a vengeance the next morning.

I'm at a loss as to what to do - stretching isn't helping and videos online that treat the gluteus medius ( seems to be where the stiffness is) contradict each other as to what gives relief.

Would I be best getting some deep tissue massage? I don't want to bother my GP if there's something I can be doing myself.

Has anyone else had this and successfully treated it themselves?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

might not be muscular.
might be pain from internal organslike kidneys or bladder.
go to gp if it doesn't improve the next couple of days.

Hadn't considered that, although the stiffness reduces as I move about during the day - wouldn't bladder or kidney pain be constant?

How old or supportive is your bed mattress ? I find the older I become I need a really firm mattress otherwise I wake up with backache.

Pop to see a physio and see if that helps?

Mattress is pretty firm, and about 5 years old so not due for a replacement t for a couple more years I would t have said b

Lots of lower back stretches on youtube.
Most of them are basically yoga/Pilates basic moves.
. My back problems started when I was 25!
Keeping my posture as good as possible is my best strategy, day to day living.

I find an osteopath can really help when this has happened to me, with follow up stretches/exercises.

Just going to bump for the evening crowd.

I had lower back pain, which was caused by weakness in my upper back and general core. Yoga sorted me out. Pilates is meant to good.

Your GP is likely to just offer diazepam. I'd see an osteopath if you can.

Gentle pelvic tilts before you get out of bed.

Gentle knee rolls from side to side.

Both before you get out of bed, and before you go to sleep.

Sleep with a cushion between your knees on your side.

Go to the swimming pool and walk forwards and backwards.

All of those things will ease a stiff back.

Get yourself to a decent physio.

Try sleeping on a different bed for a couple of nights. To see. My lower back pain was caused by my mattress. Then maybe get a topper? If you don't want to buy a new mattress just yet

I'd second a decent physio, if you can get a recommendation for one in your area. Private can be pricey, but it may just take one or two sessions and the right stretches at home to see an improvement

I had a long wait to see a physio on the NHS. While I was waiting I started yoga. The yoga has helped more than the physio did.

Thanks everyone for your replies. All very helpful.

I had the same - by coincidence a chiropractor firm came into work to do assessments and in summary I had misaligned myself carrying my little boy. 3 chiropractor sessions sorted me out ... in the past I have relied on physios, but I am never disciplined enough to do regular exercises.

Oh that's interesting - maybe a chiropractor is the way forward?

Also 48
Also suffer with lower back stiffness
Much relief and improvement bought on by seeing physio.

Morning stiffness lasting for an hour or longer could indicate an inflammatory arthritis. It might be worth seeing the GP to rule this out.

Yoga. I get terrible back pain, yoga improves it quite a bit. I need to do it quite a lot.
I'm 28 and have back trouble due to years of slouching because I was embarrassed of being tall.

Not chiropractor, definitely osteopath.

Not challenging, just asking ... why do you say that?

Try sleeping with a pillow under you head/neck/shoulders and a pillow or 2 under your knees. When your legs are bent, your hamstrings aren’t causing any strain on your spine. Everything is relaxed and your back can lay flat on the bed with no strain.

Alternately, sleep in the fetel position.

Chiropractor sorted that out for me too

Ligaments in both my lower back & right hip regions had become misligned

I felt a bit better after the first session and about 4 more sessions totally cleared it up.

To choose one, search via their professional association and put your postcode in their "FIND A CHIROPRACTOR"
www.gcc-uk.org

Not a chiropractor. Go to an osteopath asap.