Bastarding back pain first thing in the morning

[Trewser]

I've had 4 sessions with an osteo. Been to gp. Even forced myself to go to yoga twice a week for a month. Every morning my back aches and aches. Twisting from the waist makes it twinge. Once I am up and after an hour or so of walking around it eases, but is always 'there' iyswim. It's hard to pin point where the exact pain is.

Any miracle cures? Although walking around helps, I am finding it harder and harder to get up as i am so bloody ground down by it!

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MNHQ Update
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Mattress and/pillows not right for you?

We have a 7 year old memory foam mattress which seems really comfortable. Problem only started this year.

I used to get back ache in the morning, which disappeared once we got a firmer mattress (we got the eve one). If there isn’t an underlying cause for your pain and it happens overnight but disappears when you are up and about, it’s likely to be due to your mattress or pillows.

I had this, we thought it was the mattress, got that changed and it still happened.

I have woken up the last few days all fine and the only difference is I am cycling a lot more. Not sure if its that, that has made the difference.

Ahh cross post! Well unfortunately as we get older things change and what worked for you 7 years ago mattress-wise might need rethinking?

Most frequent cause is sitting all day, eg desk work.

I'm so loathe to spend money on a good mattress if it doesn't make a difference!

Most frequent cause is sitting all day, eg desk work

I sit at a desk for about 4 hours a day. I get up and walk around at least every hour. Walk the dogs for an hour and a half a day. Muck out horses every day, carry buckets etc. Can manage this fine later in the day.

I had it years ago and got rid of my memory foam mattress and so long back pain

How long have you had it? What set it off initially? Any other symptoms?
It does sound like you are doing all the right things to try to deal with it. 4 sessions at an osteopath is not many, I would persist with that if seeing her makes a difference. Switch yoga for Thai Chi, it’s a lot better. A 7 yo mattress shouldn’t be a problem but personally I hate memory foam as it seems to stop people moving around in your sleep. Staying still all night can make you stiff and sore in the morning.

4 hours a day is a fair bit.

I feel for you OP. It could be that it hurts in the morning due to the muscles etc being inactive during the night, so the pain is always there iyswim, but you just feel it more in the morning until your muscles warm up? At least that is what my dr told me when I had this problem, it was from repetitive strain in my case. Strengthening excersize for back muscles helped (plank etc).

I would second a firmer mattress and only 1 thin pillow. I agree memory foam feels comfortable as you sink into it a bit, but it’s not supportive enough in my experience. Exercises to strengthen your core may help too.

Memory foam mattresses are terrible for back pain. We bought one, years ago, thinking it would help my back. I mentioned to my spinal surgeon that my back was worse in the morning and when I said I had a memory foam mattress he told me to get rid of it. We've got an orthopaedic one atm.

Can you do some stretches before you get up. A full body stretch to start, then lie on your back and raise your legs as high as you can. Once you’re up, a cat stretch and a child’s pose.

Thanks all. I will look into orthapedic mattresses. What I really need is twin beds as dh thrashes around in his sleep 🤔

I find Tesco/Superdrug heat cream £1.80 along with Paracetamol helps in the a.m.

You say its better after an hour, this could be because its warmed up from movement.

At bedtime I either lay on my side with a pillow between my knees or on my back with a pillow under both knees. It instantly helps with comfort.

Also before my period my back 'goes' in an instant. Such as putting my shoes on. So beware!

From BBC website - Midway through the cycle, the level of the female sex hormone oestrogen, which gives strength to muscles and ligaments, drops dramatically, resulting in sudden weakness.

Pilates

No oestrogen here, I am menopausal.

Hate pilates! I do agree that my core needs strength and i try and do the plank most days.

I had this. Swapped to a latex mattress and pillows and problem solved.

Look at orthotic arch supports. You can buy them at boots or over the internet. Back pain can originate from the feet.

Memory foam is awful for my back, like pp says it stops you moving so much in the night. Also, before you get out of bed lie flat on the mattress and do a few exercises like bringing your knees up to your chest 10 times, rocking your pelvis 10 times and gently moving your knees side to side. This helps loosen the muscles and makes it easier to actually get up.

Apparently its latex not memory foam! Checked with dh. Doh

Have you had your vitamin D level checked?

I couldn't stay in bed after I woke up due to awful back pain. So if I woke at 4am I had to get up!

Mentioned it to GP - got bloods done and hey presto Vitamin D down in my boots...

GP prescribed high level supplement and now much better!

There are some FB vit d groups you can look at

I'd be amazed if it was vit d as i love oily fish and spend a lot of time outside! I do have some supplements in my draw though, must start actually taking them! Thanks!