It can lead to muscle stiffness and a limitedrange of motionthat affects your daily life.
This article examines some possiblecauses of lower back painwhen lying down.
It also explains how the cause can be diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Injuries like these are very common.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is a rare form of arthritis.
It causes persistent neck andback inflammation.
Symptoms can be worse at night.People living with AS also appear to have a higher risk of spinal fractures.
AS symptoms tend to get better withphysical therapy.
OA affects at least 32.5 million people in the United States.
That could be because you’re less active.
This can causepain that shoots down your legs.
Sciatica pain usually flares up and resolves on its own within six weeks for about 80% of people.
The stenosis can affect different parts of your back, with lumbar stenosis andthoracicstenosis affecting the lower back.
This chronic condition can sometimes lead to severe impacts, including paralysis.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitisis a bone disease due to bacterial infection.
Your pain may need urgent treatment if you also have unexplained weight loss or sudden bladder control issues.
Diagnosis
To find the cause, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam.
Be prepared to talk about your medical history to help identify or rule out health conditions.
Your healthcare provider will ask you to describe your pain.
You may need to change your sleeping position, pillows, or mattress.
Surgery may be a good option fordegenerative disc disease, sciatica, and spinal osteoarthritis.
It sometimes helps with AS.
You may need surgery, radiation therapy, or another speedy intervention.
Coping
Some risk factors increase the chance of having chronic low back pain.
These include:
Some studies suggest anxiety and depression also may contribute to the risk.
In addition:
Getting Quality Sleep
Nighttime back pain can be treated with OTC or steroid medications.
Heat, ice, and stretches may help you heal, too.
You may also need to change your sleep position or try a different mattress.
Summary
Back pain when you lie down can have a wide range of causes.
Some are serious, and others are less so.
It’s important to find the cause, especially if you experience lower back pain when lying down.
Muscle strains are the most common cause.
Different types of arthritis, sciatica, and spinal changes can also lead to nighttime back pain.
Your back pain may respond to OTC pain medications, heat, ice, or gentle stretching.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Low back strain and sprain.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis.
2018;114:e77-e113.
doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.02.072
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spinal pain.
2023;21(1):11. doi:10.1186/s12957-023-02895-0.
2020;88(7):e00932-19.
2021;12(7):2914. doi:10.14740/jmc3699.
University of Maryland Medical System.8 Signs its time to call a doctor for your back pain.
Arthritis Foundation.When its time to see a doctor for joint pain.
American Cancer Society.Bladder cancer signs and symptoms.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Low back pain fact sheet.
