When To See A Healthcare Provider
Everybody handles pain differently. Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider right away if your pain:
- Began with a specific injury
- Wakes you up at night
- Keeps you from sleeping
- Travels to other parts of the body, like your legs
- Comes with signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, or fever
- Comes with weakness, numbness, or tingling in your lower body
You may want to start by checking with your primary healthcare provider. They will be able to treat or refer you to a specialist if needed.
For example, if your healthcare provider thinks your pain may be caused by an inflammatory condition, you may need to see a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist specializes in arthritis and diseases that involve the bones, muscles, and joints.
You may find it helpful to know how pain is categorized:
- Acute pain is short-terma few days or weeks. It often happens after an injury or specific event.
- Chronic pain is longer-term. It may last for several months or more. In many cases, it isn’t from an injury.
It’s a good idea to seek immediate medical care if you have low back pain and a personal history of cancer. Your pain may need urgent treatment if you also have unexplained weight loss or sudden bladder control issues.
When To See A Doctor For Leg Pain While Lying Down
If leg pain makes it difficult to fall asleep or keeps waking you up at night, schedule an appointment with your doctor. In addition to sciatica, other potential causes of leg pain when lying down include peripheral arterial disease and muscle cramps. Getting an accurate diagnosis can help you get the right treatment and find relief sooner.
When you go to the doctor, try to describe how your leg pain feels, such as sharp and hot, dull and throbbing, or like its shooting down your leg. Additionally, let your doctor know which positions relieve or exacerbate your pain. This information can help your doctor more precisely identify remedies and treatments that can reduce pain, such as ergonomic pillows or cushions.
Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Lift My Leg Up
There are a few possible reasons why your knee might hurt when you lift your leg up. One possibility is that you have a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is a condition that causes pain in the front of the knee. Another possibility is that you have a meniscus tear, which is a tear in the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Finally, you could also have a condition called iliotibial band syndrome, which is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee. If you are experiencing knee pain, it is best to consult with a doctor or physical therapist to determine the cause and to develop a treatment plan.
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When Lying Flat Leads To Back Pain
If you have upper or lower back pain when lying down flat, you’re not alone. Back pain is a common reason people visit their doctor. It has a variety of potential triggers, and treatments often depend on the cause of pain. Here’s what to know about back pain when lying flat and how to fight back.
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Tips To Lessen Back Pain At Night
About 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Depending on the cause which may include injury arthritis and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia symptoms range from dull throbbing aches to sharp shooting pains. If pain becomes too severe it can interfere with quality sleep leaving you feeling exhausted and depressed. Poor sleep can also disrupt the bodys natural healing process which can make pain worse and keep it from getting better.
Some people can sleep in positions that relieve pain. Others with nighttime back pain may feel like they cant find relief no matter what they do. For these folks pain may even worsen or flare up when they lie down. If this sounds like you and pain is getting in the way of sleep its time to try something new. These five tips can help relieve symptoms so you can get the sleep you need.
You may also consider seeing a pain specialist at Reid Pain Management.
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When To See Your Doctor
NLM recommends calling your doctor if your back pain lasts longer than three days or if it resulted from an injury.
Specific symptoms that should alert you to a potentially serious back issue include feelings of constant numbness, tingling, or weakness in your toes, feet or your legs, Dr. Baum says. In addition, any incapacitating back pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers or rest warrants a visit to your doctor.
What Causes Nocturnal Pain
Just as with normal back pain, the cause of nighttime back pain isn’t always clear. Among other things, back pain can be caused by any of the following:
- Problems with the way the spine moves or other mechanical problems, the most common of which is disc degeneration. Discs are tissue between the vertebrae that function as a type of shock absorber the discs can break down with age.
- Injuries such as sprains or fractures or more severe injuries such as a fall or an auto accident.
- Diseases and conditions, such as scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, or spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column. Kidney stones, pregnancy, endometriosis, certain cancers, and various forms of arthritis can all lead to back pain.
A large number of the participants in the British study suffered disc degeneration.
Sometimes the cause of back pain might not be determined.
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Should I See A Chiropractor For My Back Pain
Spinal manipulation is used by chiropractors and osteopathic physicians to treat low back pain in selected patients. Spinal manipulation applies hand pressure to areas of the low back to relax irritated muscle and lessen the intensity of the pain.
Traction, using pulleys and weights to lengthen and stretch the spine can result in temporary relief. Both techniques will not treat any underlying causes of back pain, but rather offer a temporary relief from lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain When Lying Down Flat Heres Why
The last thing you want to experience when trying to go to sleep is back pain in bed. You toss and turn and just cant find the right spot to get comfortable.
If you have lower back pain when lying down flat, you need immediate relief. The first step is to determine what is causing your pain.
Here are some reasons you may be experiencing lower back pain when lying down.
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Why Your Leg Pain Feels Worse When Lying Down
One common complaint of sciaticasharp, shooting nerve pain in the legis that pain can feel worse in some positions, such as when lying down to go to sleep. Sometimes sciatica may prevent you from falling asleep, or it could be so severe that you wake up in the middle of the night with throbbing pain.
Sciatic nerve pain occurs when an underlying condition causes a nerve root in the lower spine or pelvis to become pinched, irritated, or inflamed. Watch:Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video
Sciatic nerve pain occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine or pelvis is pinched, irritated, or inflamed. A variety of conditions can cause this type of leg pain, from a herniated disc to a bone spur to a tense piriformis muscle. Continue reading below for information on how leg pain typically occurs while lying down and how to find relief.
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The Benefits Of Straight Leg Raises
When your right leg raises, you may be concerned that one or more of the nerve roots leading to your sciatic nerve have been compressed or irritated. Negative straight leg raises indicate that there is no compression or irritation of the nerve roots. In a straight leg raise, the iliopsoas muscle and the rectus abdominis muscle are targeted. Leg raises are frequently used to strengthen the rectus abdominis muscle, as well as the internal and external oblique muscles, both of which are isometrically used to stabilize the body during a motion.
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Most Back Pain When Lying Down Is Still A Sprain Or Muscle Spasm
Most back pain is due to a simple problem such as a muscle sprain or spasm. Back pain may increase when lying down simply because the pressure is put on the injury.
Back pain after a fall may worsen when lying down for similar reasons or merely because of nasty bruising that responds to pressure. This kind of back pain typically resolves quickly with time, over-the-counter painkillers, and stretching.
You should still check with your doctor if you have back pain at night to make sure it is not a more serious problem.
If you have a fever or loss of bowel and/or bladder function, back pain is an emergency regardless of when it occurs.
How To Treat Pelvic Pain
Mild and temporary pelvic pain is usually not a source of concern. If you get pelvic pain only when lying down at night and its preventing you from getting enough sleep, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor.
Many men and women are reluctant to see a healthcare professional about this problem. They usually hope pelvic pain will go away on its own. Keep in mind pelvic pain is not a condition by itself, but usually a sign of a much bigger problem. Its understandable to wonder why do I have pelvic pain when I lie down.
But, the only way to know the exact cause is to get a proper diagnosis from your healthcare provider. Diagnosis will also make the treatment of pelvic pain a lot easier.
So, how to relieve pelvic pain when sleeping? How to treat this kind of pain in general?
One way to relieve pelvic pain when sleeping is to sleep with a pillow between your knees. Pillow will keep your pelvic area aligned and take the pressure off the hip and pelvic muscles. While you can use a regular pillow, you can also invest in a body pillow if youre pregnant.
Instead of cotton pajamas, you may want to opt for silk and satin pajamas. That way you can slide around in bed. Cotton would cause more friction.
Another option is to wear a belly band or a pregnancy support band to maintain proper alignment of the pelvis and reduce pain.
Lifestyle modifications are also necessary, especially for persons whose pelvic pain is chronic or comes and goes. These tips can help you out:
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Back Pain While Sleeping
Experiencing pain in the back while sleeping can be distracting at times and can make it difficult for you to either fall asleep, or remain asleep. For that reason, its important to find a position that not only supports your spine where you need it, while at the same time maintaining good posture. If you notice the pain is stopping you from sleeping at times, or youre experiencing pain at other times of the day perhaps at work you may benefit from having some degree of spinal analysis done by a professional, as they can often give you a good insight into the position and measurements of your spine.
At The Mayfair Clinic, our specialist range of orthopaedic tests and ability to measure the angles of the curves in your spine, means that were able to provide constructive advice on how to rehabilitate your spine so youre not experiencing pain during the day, as well as during the evening when taking the time to relax and winding down to sleep. If your posture has been neglected over time, providing the right treatment in the necessary places can help to give you immediate relief, while a rehabilitation programme can help to strengthen your spine in the long-term.
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The Spine Supports The Body
Back pain comes from the tissues around the spine. The spinal column is the structure that supports the body and is made of bones called vertebrae. There are dozens of vertebrae that lead from the neck down into the lower back or lumbar region. Cushioning pads between the vertebrae called intervertebral discs act like shock-absorbers and prevent the vertebrae from grinding. The vertebrae are held together by ligaments, and muscles are attached to the spine by tendons. The spinal column is not solid bone the spine is like a sturdy, segmented tube. The open space within the spine protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord runs from the brain down into the base of the spine and is made of the many nerves the body needs to transmit electrical signals that let us feel and move. Nerves come out of the spine at various places to transmit signals to and from different parts of the body to the brain. Strain or injury to any part of the spine can result in back pain.
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How To Treat Upper Back Pain
- Ice or heat packs
- Over-the-counter medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , or acetaminophen
- Manual therapy, such as physical therapy, massage, Thai yoga massage, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation
- Exercise, Pilates, or yoga
Change your sleeping position
- Keep your spine in a neutral position by using a different mattress or foam mattress topper for additional support or using pillows to support your spine.
- Sleep in a different position, such as sleeping on your back or alternating sides if you are a side sleeper.
- Invest in a supportive and just-right pillow for your head and neck curvature, says Holland.
Stretch your upper back
Consult with your doctor if problems persist
Back Feels Better When I Lie Down
There are a number of different reasons why your back discomfort may feel much better if you decide to lie down, so if youre dealing with these symptoms, its a good idea to set up a consultation with a spine specialist. Knowing exactly what youre dealing with will allow your doctor to develop an individualized treatment plan, which is the key to overcoming your condition. Treating the wrong problem or only attacking symptoms because you havent identified the root cause of your pain is a recipe for prolonged discomfort, so while we strive to provide some information with this blog, the best source of information will come from a physician who can examine your spine in person.
A number of different aches and pains may relieve as a result of lying down, but the one we want to focus on today is called spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of the vertebrae in your spine shifts out of position. Typically it occurs in your lower spine, but it can also occur in the thoracic and cervical portions of your spine. Its also different from a slipped disc, which happens when the disc between two vertebral segments shifts out of its normal location.
Symptoms of the condition include:
- Lower back pain
- Pain that subsides substantially when lying down
- Visible curvature of the spine
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Back Pain At Night And Ankylosing Spondylitis
There are two main categories of back pain: mechanical and inflammatory. Mechanical back pain results from problems with the way the different components of your spine work together. Mechanical back pain, such as from overuse injuries, poor posture, or a herniated disc, is the reason for the vast, vast majority of back pain cases.
On the other hand, inflammatory back pain occurs because theres a problem with your immune system attacking the joints in your spine, sacroiliac joints , and the entheses .
Back pain that wakes you up in the second half of the night is one of a few key signs that your back pain could be inflammatory and due to a disease like ankylosing spondylitis.
Patients often experience stiffness and pain that awakens them in the early morning, a distinctive symptom not generally found in patients with mechanical back pain, reports Medscape.
Its not common to have back pain so bad in the middle of the night that you cant go back to sleep, says Fardina Malik, MD, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone in New York City who frequently treats patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Mechanical back pain generally feels better when you rest or sleep. You might have discomfort, but you should be able to sleep through the night.
Sleeping On Your Stomach
If youre consistently sleeping in the wrong position you could give yourself low back pain. Stomach sleepers end up arching their backs upward more than you should for a prolonged period. As a result you put stress on your lower back, leading to pain.
In some cases you can modify by using a thinner pillow , but youre likely better off choosing a new sleeping position altogether.
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