Do you feel achy when you wake up in the morning? While this is a normal occurrence from time to time, waking up every morning with aches and pains can be a sign of a deeper issue.
If you have painful sensations in the morning for no apparent reason, don’t hesitate to contact Aspen Rehab as soon as possible for assistance. We’ll get to the root of your problem to help you find relief, so you can wake up in the mornings feeling refreshed instead of achy!
What should I do if I have a specific condition that’s causing my pain?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with a serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physical therapy would be the most beneficial 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:
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Injury.
- Gout.
- Bursitis.
- Tendinitis.
- 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.
How will physical therapy help relieve my pain?
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:
- Maintain a healthy 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 benefits from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
- Practice 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.
- Get enough 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.
Why does my pain feel 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.
Get started on a physical therapy plan today:
If you are living with constant aches and pains, it is in your best interest to consult with a physical therapist. Your physical therapist will conduct a physical evaluation to determine the origin of your pain and create a treatment plan accordingly. Your treatment plan will work to relieve your pain and improve your function, with your physical therapist acting as a support system through every step along the way.
Treatment plans consist of targeted stretches and exercises to help you recover from your condition. Additional treatment methods may also be added into your treatment plan as your physical therapist deems fit. If you are living with aches and pains, contact Aspen Rehab today to find out how we can help! We’ll get you back to living life on your own terms.
Sources:
https://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=e6dabed7-c6d5-4362-8260-9ce807427619
https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/how-physical-therapists-manage-pain
