Could This Be the Cause of Your Night Time Back Pain? Part 1

Many people plagued: Are you one of the many people that suffer from low back pain that hits you at night time when you are trying to sleep? There are many people that go through their usual day with little to no effort, but dread the prospect of going into their bedroom and lying down flat on their bed. They know that as soon as they lay their head on the pillow that the deep ache in their back will start its nightly routine and keep them tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning.

Many people try to deaden their pain by taking sleeping pills. Others avoid the bed at all costs and sleep in a chair or otherwise in a sitting position that gives them little or no rest at all. They wake up almost as tired as they were just 5-6 hours before. Then they start their day again, just as the day before, and try not to think about the fact that they cannot get a good night's rest because of their back pain.

People who are suffering this way have frequently gone to see their physician for the problem. In fact, many have had x-rays, MRIs, lab tests, etc. only to hear the doctor say that "nothing appears to be wrong" with their backs. And so, they get another prescription and are told that "it's all in their heads," and off they go back to the same old thing.

So, what is actually going on with these people and why can't anyone find out what is wrong? You can't tell someone with back pain that "it's all in their head" and not expect to get an ear full. "No! It's not in my head! It's in my back!!" is what you will hear.

You would think that with so much discomfort and pill popping that there has to be something wrong. Well, if you are thinking this then I would say that you are absolutely right? There is something wrong and it's not going to show up on all the fancy high tech equipment for the simple fact that doctors don't measure muscle tightness.

That's right. You heard me. I am suggesting that many of those who have chronic back pain that increases especially when they lye down are suffering from tight muscles. More specifically the Iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and gluteus minimus and medius.

Yeah, yeah, I know. But please forgive me, I am a physical therapist. But, please, don't hold that against me! I didn't name these muscles, but that's what they are called. All of these muscles cross the hip joint connecting the pelvis to the thigh bone. When they are tight they tend to put more tension and pressure on the low back and pull it out of alignment. And this can be real painful.