It probably doesn’t faze you if you sometimes wake up feeling stiff or achy. This is normal if you slept in an awkward position all night. Usually, the stiffness and achiness goes away after a little time or stretching in the morning. However, if you wake up almost every morning feeling sore or stiff, you may have a bad sleeping habit or a chronic condition that needs attention.
What to do if you feel stiff and achy most mornings
One of the first concerns for many people when they wake up feeling stiff and achy is that it’s related to arthritis. It’s true that stiff and achy joints are hallmark symptoms of arthritis, but there are other reasons you might be feeling this way too.
For example, sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or soft can affect the way you feel. A pillow that doesn’t support your head and neck correctly can make your back sore. You might have an injury or a condition that causes inflammation to build up while you’re sleeping, which irritates your joints.
No matter the cause, there are some steps you can follow to help reduce and prevent stiffness and achiness in the morning:
- Maintain a healthy diet. Certain foods, like simple carbs, trans fats, saturated fats and red meats can encourage inflammation. Eat less of these and more healthy options that help reduce inflammation, such as whole grains, lean proteins, unsaturated fats, and colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water. Your joints need water for them to stay lubricated.
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
- Do some simple stretches before and after sleeping.
Visit SOL today for help treating stiff or achy joints
No matter how hard you try to treat stiff and achy joints on your own, there are just some conditions that cannot be treated at home. In these circumstances, you’ll need professional assistance. At SOL, our physical therapists specialize in treatments that help reduce and prevent joint pain and improve your range of motion, including:
- Therapeutic exercises and stretches
- Joint mobilization
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Posture guidance for your sleeping posture
- Patient education and more
Are you ready to get help and stop feeling stiff and achy every morning? Contact our team today for more information about stiff and achy joints or to schedule an initial appointment.
