Do you regularly wake up with a stiff or sore back? Feel like a huge task to get out of bed and get downstairs to make breakfast? You are not alone. Our Chiropractor in West Vancouver sees many patients who are suffering from the symptoms of morning aches and stiffness.
Morning soreness and stiff muscles are a common occurrence, and many place the blame on getting older. While age certainly does play a factor, morning stiffness is more about the time and effort you’re putting into looking after your joints and muscles.
Joints can age before the rest of the body, thanks to good-old wear and tear. If you’ve worked in a physically active job for many years, have neglected to look after your joints, or have been exercising in ways that aren’t great for your body, you will have started to notice aches and pains when you first wake up.
Similarly, if you overuse your muscles, or are sedentary at work by sitting all day, your muscles tend to get tight and short over time. Like yourself, muscles need time for rest and relaxation. A good stretch and rest at the end of the day or before bed allows your muscles to heal and remain flexible.
Why do aches and pains start when you get older?
As your joints age, they lose the cushion of healthy cartilage and lubrication between the joints and bones. One thing leads to another, and often joint stiffness can lead to muscle and tendon problems, too. Joint pain is more common in the elderly or overweight because they are less likely to be giving an active and healthy lifestyle needed to maintain healthy joints. While there is no way to reverse the effects of age on your joints, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and make those mornings more comfortable.
Is there a connection between morning stiffness and arthritis?
Morning stiffness and arthritis can be closely linked, but having morning aches and pains does not mean that you have arthritis. The three types of arthritis: rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, have distinct symptoms, and it’s essential to be on the lookout for them if you have concerns that your morning aches are because of arthritis. If you’re not sure of whether you have arthritis or not, please check with your Chiropractor in West Vancouver or your family doctor. Tests can be ordered to confirm or deny your suspicions. However, in most cases, it’s just a matter of overuse or muscles and joints that are overworked and tight.
How to alleviate the aches and pains of Morning Stiffness
Suffering from morning stiffness can make mornings a problematic undertaking. This sensation of immobility and stiffness is true, especially if you need to get up and go. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to help alleviate the aches and pains. A small lifestyle change and consistent effort will go a long way in resolving this minor but annoying problem.
A good amount of sleep on the right type of mattress
There’s no denying that your body needs a regular sleeping pattern in a proper bed. Professional opinion varies on the right amount of sleep and on which type of mattress is best for your back, but the premise is still the same. You need plenty of deep sleep to let your body repair itself. Choosing the right mattress can seem like a nightmare, but there is a vast range of different types of mattresses that you can try before you buy. If you do have any questions, you can always check in with your Chiropractor in West Vancouver. For most of us, the recommended mattress is one that is medium-firm. However, since everyone is different, most mattress retailers allow you to try the mattress for a few nights first to make sure it’s right for you.
Sleep in the right temperature
Sleeping in a cold temperature will only make the ache and pains worse in the morning. Make sure you’re in a comfortable temperature; otherwise, your joints and muscles will turn stiff in the chill. You may not notice it, but when you’re cold, your muscles involuntary shiver and contract to generate heat. Prolonged contraction in the night will make you feel stiff and sore in the mornings. You will also not have a great sleep and feel tired and sluggish in the mornings.
Exercise and stretches go a long way
Regular exercise and stretches are a great way to reduce the aches and pains you feel in the morning. As long as the activity isn’t too taxing and is suited to you, it can have a massive positive effect on the health of your joints and muscles. You should also try stretching every night before getting into bed, and every morning after getting out of bed. This simple act of daily stretches at the right times brings a surprising positive change tor your body and mind. You will feel healthier, better rested, and yes, even “younger” in terms of movement and energy!
Hydration and a healthy diet
Staying well hydrated and maintaining a joint and muscle-friendly diet is a great way to reduce the aches and pains you feel in the morning. Cutting down on carbohydrates and other things found in food such as unnatural dyes and toxins have proven to reduce the pain in your joints and muscles. There is also a trend towards reducing or removing inflammatory foods out of your daily diet. Refined Wheat products, sugar, alcohol, trans fats, and processed meats are known inflammatory foods. Try to avoid them. If you’re unsure about these foods, feel free to ask your Chiropractor in West Vancouver.
