For many people, the morning begins with aches and stiffness instead of feeling refreshed. The alarm rings, their eyes open, but their neck feels stiff, their back feels strained, and their shoulders feel heavy. Many people attribute this to aging, an old mattress, or the previous day’s fatigue, but experts say there could be many other reasons.
In fact, sleep isn’t just a time to rest; it’s also a time for the body to repair itself. Many important processes related to muscle recovery, blood flow, and the immune system occur at night. When these processes are disrupted, the body may feel achy and tired upon waking. Experts say that even though the body is at rest during sleep, cells are not completely dead. Sleeping in the same position for several hours reduces muscle and joint activity, leading to stiffness in certain areas. This is why it can feel uncomfortable to move around for the first few minutes after getting out of bed.
A poorly sized pillow or a mattress that doesn’t provide adequate support can also exacerbate this problem. If the pillow is too high or too low, neck muscles remain under pressure throughout the night. Similarly, lack of proper spinal support can lead to back and shoulder pain. Fortunately, this discomfort often subsides with light activity and movement.
Poor quality sleep can also be a major cause of morning pain. Research by the US National Institutes of Health found that disrupted sleep can increase inflammation in the body and increase sensitivity to pain. This means that pain affects sleep, and poor sleep can worsen pain the next day. However, morning pain is not always normal. If stiffness and pain persist for a long time, it could be a sign of a health problem. Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, vitamin D deficiency, sleep apnea, persistent stress, and anxiety can also cause morning pain.