Morning back pain: is it serious?
Many patients tell us: “My back feels stiff as soon as I get out of bed, then eases up as I walk.” Most often, this morning stiffness is mechanical—muscles and discs simply need gentle motion to warm up.
However, when morning stiffness lasts more than 30 to 45 minutes daily, or wakes you in the second half of the night, a rheumatology consultation is important to check for inflammatory conditions.
- Stretch gently in bed while breathing deeply before standing up.
- Roll onto your side with bent knees and push up with your arms.
- Avoid prolonged bed rest—gentle walking nourishes your spine.
When should you consult?
If pain lasts more than two weeks, radiates down the leg (sciatica), or causes prolonged morning stiffness, consult our rheumatologists and PM&R physicians.
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