When you wake up in the morning, do you feel achy and stiff? Does it feel as if your body is being weighed down by a pile of bricks? It is normal to wake up with aches and pains from time to time – perhaps you overdid it at the gym the day before, perhaps you had a long day running around doing errands, or perhaps you’re coming down with a common cold.
While these are normal reasons for the occasional aches and pains, persistent pain (especially first thing in the morning) could be indicative of an underlying condition. If you notice painful sensations in the morning, with no apparent rhyme or reason, contact us for assistance. We’ll help determine the cause of your pain and get you started on the best treatment plan for your needs.
What could be causing my aches and pains?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physical therapy may be the next step. It is a common and effective treatment plan for pain relief that most doctors will suggest. Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:
- Injury.
- Tendinitis.
- Bursitis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gout.
- Lupus.
All of these conditions can cause aches, pains, and stiffness. Physical therapy treatment plans for these conditions will focus on helping you achieve a greater range of motion in your affected joints or limbs, in addition to providing pain relief. These work to improve overall function and help you get back to your normal mobility.
Why is my pain worse in the mornings?
Sometimes your joint tissues can become irritated from overuse throughout the day, without you even realizing. When you fall asleep, you are almost completely immobile for several hours, which can cause inflammation of the tissues to grow thicker and further irritate the affected area. As a result, you wake up in the morning feeling stiff and achy. In most cases, this feeling will begin to ease quickly, after you get up and walk around. This is because movement causes the inflammation to become liquid-like, allowing pain to lessen. A simple remedy to avoiding achy morning wake-up calls is hydration. Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes. This will keep your tissues from becoming overly inflamed, easing irritation.
How can I keep my joints limber?
Your physical therapy regimen will be dependent upon your specific symptoms and/or diagnosis. However, many physical therapists will also suggest at-home remedies, in addition to your specialized treatment plan. Here are some tips that your physical therapist will likely share with you on your journey toward wellness:
- Eat a nutritious diet. Consumption of brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help alleviate pain. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that leads to pain and irritation. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefit from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
- Maintain proper posture. Proper posture is a great way to avoid unnecessary aches and pains. If your work requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, or if you stay sedentary for long periods of time every day, try to get up every half hour for some light stretches. Relieve joint pain by moving around and keeping your circulation going. Try to avoid slouching or hunching at your desk, making sure that your spine is straight and your shoulders are back.
- Sleep! Getting a good night’s sleep creates an endless cycle of benefits, especially when it comes to physical therapy. Sufficient amounts of sleep will increase your ability to exercise effectively, which in turn will help you sleep better at night. Your sleep and exercise habits go hand-in-hand, and the results of one will always affect the other.
The best treatment method:
Anyone can see a physical therapist, no matter your age, medical history, or physical abilities. Some people tend to avoid physical therapy out of embarrassment, but we are here to tell you that there is no need for that! Your physical therapist will never judge you; rather, they will provide you with encouragement, support, and the necessary resources for relieving your pain and regaining your function.
Your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan that will work best for your specific needs. This will consist of gentle exercises and stretches to target your painful areas, in addition to any other methods or modalities your physical therapist deems fit for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about physical therapy – the best treatment method for solving all of your aches and pains!
