Mid Back pain during the night

W

Winter

Cathlete
Hi - I am hoping someone can tell me how to fix this.

For the last 2 months I have been waking up in the middle of the night with back pain mid back. The longer I lay there the more it hurts. Then there is no position I can lay in that doesn't hurt.

I think it has come on because of months studying for a class in an reclyner in addition to working full time sitting at a computer.

What I have done:
1. I am getting a new memory foam mattress topper
2. I have done some yoga that seems to help the pain or prolong it at night.
3. Been to chiro a few time and it helped a bit.

I have researched on the internet and there are tons of people with this with no real answers.

I was up at 3:00 am with miserable pain last night.

Anyone been through this? The pain is on my right side and sometimes my rib cage hurts. I really want to get a handle on this myself as i think it is a posture/muscle spasm issue.

Thanks in advance,

Winter
 
My DH experienced exactly the same thing. Our chiro told him it was from bad posture throughout the day, and not directly related to the mattress or sleep position. He recommended HD practice excellent posture at all times, using lots of pillows and back support while sitting, and to take frequent walks and standing breaks.

Good luck!

Mel
 
I have horrible mid back pain, especially at night. I went to a chiropracter for a while but it always came back. he could never 'fix' me. I found that massage really helped me a lot more because it was my muscles along my spine that were spasming and knotting.

I had to make a lot of changes due to the pain, including starting my hula dancing again. The moves from hula are great for the lower back, both stregthening it and stretching it out.

Shelby

eta: what feels great is to lay on the floor and scoot close to the wall so your butt is against the wall and your legs are stretched up. This feels awesome on the back! and it takes no work.
 
Yes, I had something very similar happen to me last fall. My chiro had me work with the occupational therapist in his office. She did a lot of myofascial (sp) release on me and showed me how to do some trigger point massage therapy.

I also ended up getting a foam roller to use regularly and it has helped a lot. My husband also uses it for his back issues (he has a physically demanding job).

Hope this helps!
 
You may want to try reading some of the books/DVD by Dr. John Sarno. He gives a very interesting approach to back (and other) pain. I have 2 of the books and his DVD and they are very interesting. I was spending $30/2 times per week on a chiro and really didn't need to. I also tried a massage for back and neck pain that didn't help.

Kim
 
I have horrid lower back pain which is the worst when I wake up in the morning.
I have tried sleeping with a pillow between my legs, or under my belly since I like to sleep on my stomach--probably the worst thing for back pain sufferers.
I also visit a chiropractor two times a month, have yet to try massage, but thats next since I had to get prescription muscle relaxers because it gets so bad sometimes.
But I have two disks or whatever that are slowly eroding away, thanks to all the high impact stuff I used to do and the bodybuilding. So, I really have to watch it.
 
I have the mid to low back pain on the right side of my back. It will wake me up in the middle of the night and I cannot sleep longer than 7 hours or my back is done. I think I injured it a few months ago and did not rest appropriately because I had numbness and tingling in my legs for awhile. Long story short, I went to the doctor and received an xray which showed mild degenerative disease in my low back. I am only 28 years old so it is quite frustrating. Due to the holiday weekend, I have not been able to talk to my doctor to find out what to do about this. I've heard that your bones stop growing at 24 years old so now I guess it is just about prevention. I'm going to try going to a chiropractor to see if that helps however I don't think I will be able to run anymore as it really bothers the right side. I think it would be worth getting checked out at least. :D
 
What a freaking pain. I am so sick of severe back pain every few years. I have not had this before and I think it is posture related and use of computer/mouse.

I will check out Dr Sarno's books and maybe go to a doctor. The chiro said that she will refer me to orthopedics if I don't get better.

I feel for all of you having issues. I woke up this morning about 5 am with pain. Did hot and cold all night which I think is why it was 5 am instead of 3.

Thanks for you advice. I hope we all find what the heck helps.

So frustrating.......

I am listening to a webinar now and the doc is adament that you need to deal with muscle imbalance. I will have to research that because I feel I could have that.

Thanks again,
Winter
 
I also believe this is a posture-related issue. I admit, my posture is often terrible. I get the most relief from doing that yoga stretch (don't know what you'd call it) where you bend at the waist and hang with your arms folded, really relaxing into it. I do this numerous times a day for a minute or so at a time.

Also, if you've ever done P90X, that stretch where Tony and the Kids stir the soup is wonderful for the mid-back and shoulder blade area.

Hope this helps,
Shari
 
From what I've read and research that has been published, DDD (degenerative disc disease) is part of the normal aging process and there is nothing to be done about it. It doesn't cause any problems. An MRI I had around 27 showed the same thing and I had no pain/problems. An MRI I had a in May showed a herniatin at L4-L5 (also normal aging and not a cause of long lasting pain though most doctors will tell you otherwise). I went back to my step and kickboxing a month or so later. I know MANY people will not agree with this info, along with MOST doctors, but the reading I suggested is just something to check into if you want to go the unconventional route, that is, try to forget everything conventional medicine says about back pain.
 
I would suggest researching "trigger points". I get spasms in my upper and lower back when I get overly stressed or don't work out (I have a twisted spine). One book to check out is Bonnie Prudden's "Pain Erasure". She has maps of where trigger points commonly occur. My husband works on me and the spasms ease out after 2 to 4 sessions.

You might be able to find a massage therapist who specializes in trigger point therapy.
 
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