Causes of back pain at night leads to a special type of lower back pain that could indicate a serious problem with the spine.
In the U.S., up to 80% of the population has some form of back pain at some point in their lives. It is the second most common reason why people see their doctor. But as debilitating as back pain can be, most cases of it are manageable, and people receiving physical therapy often see improvement within a few weeks.
With back pain at night, however, people cannot get the rest they need because they cannot get rid of their pain.
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What is back pain at night?
Most people who suffer from back pain are able to adapt to the way they sleep to get relief from the pain they feel during the day. But with back pain at night, the pain doesn’t stop when a person goes to bed, no matter what adjustments they make. For some, the pain actually gets worse. And for others, the pain doesn’t start until they go to bed.
A person can go through a day with virtually no pain. But then at night, he or she may find it almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep.
Causes of back pain at night
- Sleeping on a hard or soft mattress
- Wear high-heeled shoes
- Standing or sitting for a long time
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal cord tumor
- Kidney stones
- Pregnancy
Why back pain occurs at night?
Sleep on a hard or soft mattress
If you wake up during the night with back pain, the mattress you are sleeping on may be too hard or too soft. The body forms an abnormal angle and the relaxation of tense muscles is prevented, which increases the pain. Instead, a good mattress helps the spinal cord to be in the correct position while you rest.
You’re sleeping in the wrong position
Causes of back pain include sleeping in the wrong position. When you sleep and sit in the wrong position, your spine suffers.
- If you are used to sleeping on your back, place a pillow under your knees to maintain your back curve and support your spine. The natural curve of the neck and the alignment of the shoulders, neck and head must be supported by the pillow under the head.
- If you sleep on your stomach, your spine can be better supported if you put a pillow in your abdomen. Avoid holding your head on the pillow when sleeping in this position.
- If you sleep on your sides, put a pillow between your legs so that your upper leg does not affect your spine. In this way, the pressure on the column is reduced.
Spinal cord tumor
Back pain is a symptom present in 90% of patients with spinal tumors, which can affect any of the structures of the spine. These pains may become more pronounced after you go to bed to fall asleep. In addition, the pain gets worse when you do physical activity.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are heavy deposits of calcium, minerals and acid salts formed in the urine, they are concentrated in the urinary tract. Pain usually occurs during the night or early morning, possibly due to low urine output.