Freeing up back first thing

[Cait73]

I've lived with chronic pain for years, after trying many things I now just pretty much get on with it BUT it's hitting me harder and harder first thing in the morning

If it were up to me I'd probably take a leisurely hour to ease myself up and about but a toddler needing breakfast and taking to preschool means I've got to be up and ready for action in minutes

I stagger around for a good hour it's ridiculous

Can anyone suggest exercises or stretches I can do as soon as I wake up just to get me going??

The pain is predominantly lower back but can also be mid and upper back aswell as neck and shoulders

You need to see a chiropractor! It’s expensive privately, but it’s the best thing I did. Doctors will keep fobbing you off with pain killers…. Your back will only get worse.

They will also suggest the best exercises

I've tried all manner of exercises but yes you're probably right I need a specialist, this has been getting increasingly worse over the last 5/6 years

Have you ever seen a rheumatologist? Pain and stiffness first thing is a sigh of ankylosing spondylitis.

nass.co.uk/about-as/what-is-as/

Thank you @nancyglancey I'm being investigated for fibromyalgia and cfs I miss some of the markers for AS but I initially thought that's what I had

Hopefully further tests will bring some clarity

Best of luck with it. I have AS, any manipulation made me worse. Yoga helps, very gentle. And I do hydrotherapy exercises. You have my sympathies, being stiff and sore is stressful and exhausting.

I was once told to do some basic movements before getting out of bed. For example swapping from pointed toes to toes flexed up, raising one knee and sliding foot up the bed etc.

Hello I have chronic neck pain managed with nerve blocks. If I make myself do 30-40 min walk 3- 4 times a week and stretch every night on a yoga bolster before bed Im nearly pain free unless I've driven a lot. I think the night before is better as things get supple before sleep. A few weeks and you will really see difference. I do simple yoga stretches on floor, cat, childs pose, a little hip stretching etc.

Yoga. Difficult to say exact postures without RL contact. Try and find a British Wheel of Yoga teacher who is qualified in the Healthy Lower Back course. (I know you say all parts of back affected but it often stems from the lumbar). Good luck 🌸

@Onceuponawhileago I walk 3 times a day (20-40 mins a time) with the dog and do the stretches the physiotherapist showed me, twice a day

The walking helps the exercises do not

Id go back for new exercises so. Mine definitely help but only if I do at night.