Sciatica Specialist in New Jersey Answers 5 Questions about Nocturnal Back Pain

What causes nocturnal low back pain?

Nocturnal back pain is not necessarily indicative of a serious health problem, particularly if it occurs only sporadically or for a short period. However, if nocturnal back pain starts becoming severe and affects your ability to sleep, it might be time to seek medical attention.

Some of the main reasons you may experience low back pain when lying down are:

• Strains and sprains: While some rush to seek sciatica treatment when experiencing nocturnal back pain, lumbar strains and sprains are, in fact, the most common reasons for low back pain and occur when muscles or ligaments are overstretched.
• Spine osteoarthritis: Due to the fact that we are mostly inactive when we sleep, pain from wear and tear of the spine joints, which results in osteoarthritis, can get worse during the night or when lying down for more than a few minutes.
• Sciatica: In some sleeping positions, the vertebrae in the lower back will further irritate the sciatic nerve, resulting in radiating pain in the lower limbs, usually on one side of the body.

Some more severe conditions that cause nocturnal back pain include ankylosing spondylitis, spinal tumors, or spinal stenosis. It is also possible that the reason you may be experiencing this type of pain is unrelated to spinal conditions and may have to do with issues such as kidney stones or endometriosis. Pregnancy can also put pressure on the sciatic nerve and trigger sciatica symptoms, including low back pain when laying down.

Should I go see a doctor as soon as my back starts hurting?

Nocturnal back pain that stops you from getting rest is a warning sign that you should see your doctor. Besides low back pain, you can also experience symptoms such as muscle stiffness and a restricted range of motion, especially if what triggered it is a strain or sprain.

While each person responds differently to pain, there are some general factors that will help you determine if it’s time to see a doctor:

• You suffered an injury, and now pain persists;
• Pain gets worse and lasts for more than a few days;
• You experience symptoms of infection, which includes swelling, redness, warmth, or even fever;
• The pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness in the lower limbs.

What happens during the first appointment with my back doctor?

To determine what is causing your nocturnal back pain, the pain physician will perform a physical examination and go through your medical history to see if there is a link to the symptoms you are experiencing.

Your doctor will ask for more details of your symptoms, so be prepared to describe your pain. You should include information on when you first started experiencing pain, what improves or worsens it, the consistency and severity of it, and whether you’ve had any new symptoms since it started.

Aside from the basic examination, your doctor can order additional tests to aid in the diagnosis, such as:

• Lab tests: if there are signs of infection or significant weight loss, a CBC (complete blood count) can help reveal the issues;
• Neurologic tests: these tests measure muscle strength and help identify if there is a nerve-related issue;
• Imaging tests: an MRI or a CT scan can help eliminate the possibility of a fracture, infection, or cancer.

What are the treatment options?

Depending on the diagnosis the doctor puts, treatment for nocturnal low back pain can differ. Most commonly, if the condition is mild, physicians will prescribe medications to relieve pain at bedtime. Such treatment can include hot and cold therapy, pain relievers, light exercise or minimally invasive procedures. In more severe cases, you will be referred to a team of spine surgeons that can help eliminate the root cause of the pain.

If you experience the pain mostly at night, the doctor will probably advise you to change your sleeping environment, which includes adjusting your sleeping position or getting a new pillow and mattress. Massage therapy and chiropractic care may also be included in your customized treatment plan.

How can I stay away from nocturnal back pain?

Although not all causes of nighttime lower back pain can be avoided, there are many methods you can use to keep your back pain-free. Our skilled doctors recommend doing the following:

• Keep a healthy weight; your diet is very important.
• Correct your posture and make sure you are not slouching.
• Invest in an ergonomically friendly chair, especially if you spent multiple hours sitting.
• Wear comfortable footwear that supports your back.
• Keep an active lifestyle and try to do a few light exercises daily.

If your sciatica pain is preventing you from leading a healthy life, schedule an appointment with our trained physicians as soon as possible at one of these 3 locations:

•       in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall,
•       in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership,
•       in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club.