There are few things more frustrating than trying to lie down after a busy day and being unable to rest. Back pain is one of the most common issues that keeps people tossing and turning at night. If you’ve noticed that your back pain seems worse in the evening or nighttime, you’re not alone.
Physical therapy offers natural, noninvasive remedies to many common conditions that cause back pain at night. Your physical therapist can help you understand what may be contributing to your back pain and create a personalized treatment plan for you. Most treatment plans will include some stretching, therapeutic exercise and lifestyle adjustments to reduce your pain in the long term.
Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. If you’re experiencing back pain regularly, it’s important to find out why so you can receive the treatment you need.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss six potential reasons why your back pain is worse at night.
6 possible reasons why your back pain is worse at night
When you’re up and moving during the day, there’s plenty of blood moving throughout your body. When you sit or lie down to rest at night, your circulation slows. If you’ve got any tension, inflammation or underlying conditions, they may become more noticeable when your blood pressure and circulation change. In the evening, we also have fewer things demanding our attention. You may be more tuned in to what you’re feeling in your body. Changing the position of your body can also create pain and pressure in your back.
The following are six reasons why your back pain may be worse at night:
Muscle tension — Tense muscles can be more noticeable at night when you're at rest. Muscles in your back may build up tension from stress, anxiety, poor posture, standing or sitting for too long, and wearing shoes that aren’t supportive. Gentle stretching and movement can help ease tension. If your tension is persistent, massage or physical therapy treatments may help.
Inflammation — Inflammation is especially noticeable when your circulation slows down. You may have pain and swelling in your back for a number of different reasons. An old injury or structural damage in your back may cause inflammation. It can also be caused by an infection or an autoimmune disorder. Poor diet, smoking, too much alcohol consumption, a lack of physical activity, and stress can make you more likely to experience inflammation.
Fewer distractions — When you have less activity going on around you, your mind may wander. Things that weren’t so noticeable during the day may be harder to ignore. If you’ve got a fast-paced or stressful job, it’s common to notice soreness from tension and repetitive movements when you go home at night.
Increased spinal pressure — Lying down can put increased pressure on irritated spinal nerves, causing discomfort. If you have an underlying condition like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, you may notice it more when you go to bed.
Sleep position — The position you sleep in can also put pressure on your back. Sleeping on your stomach is one of the worst positions for causing back pain. If you sleep on your side or your back, the lower part of your spine may not have enough support. Try putting a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back and between your knees if you sleep on your side. You may also put a body pillow behind your back for more support when sleeping on your side, and you might want to find a pillow with more support for your neck near the edges.
Chronic conditions — Spinal conditions like ankylosing spondylitis and spinal stenosis are characterized by back pain. It’s also common with fibromyalgia and autoimmune conditions. If you notice other symptoms along with your back pain, make sure you mention them to your health care providers.
Explore physical therapy treatments for back pain that gets worse at night
Are you consistently noticing back pain more than one night a week? If so, it’s worth your time to see a physical therapist. Addressing the problem now can prevent more serious conditions later on. If you have developed chronic pain, physical therapy can help minimize its impact on your daily life.
At KC Rehab, we try to understand the likely causes of pain so we can find long-term solutions. We don’t use medications or invasive procedures to mask your pain. Instead, we help you rehabilitate with treatments that support your overall health and well-being.
We offer industrial rehab services, which include functional evaluation and work hardening. Our PTs can help you assess your current ability to work. Then we’ll create your personalized treatment plan with natural treatments, exercises and lifestyle adjustments to help you get back to work and feel your best.
Are you ready to find out what’s causing your back pain so you can rest easier? We can help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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