Why is joint pain worse in the morning?

Why do I wake up stiff and sore in the morning?

There are lots of different reasons for joint pain, from conditions like arthritis, to injuries and gout. For many people, this pain is worse in the morning.

To understand more about this problem, this blog looks at:

• Reasons for joint pain in the morning
• How to manage joint pain.

Reasons for joint pain in the morning

Often, a combination of a variety of factors can contribute to joint pain in the morning, but here are four key issues to consider.

1. Lack of movement

Joint pain, particularly arthritic pain, tends to be worse in the morning due to the fact that we move very little during sleeping hours. Movement keeps the joints working smoothly, whilst being sedentary can exacerbate pain and stiffness. This discomfort usually wears off about 30 minutes after waking, once you start moving about again, but it may take longer in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Poor sleep

Pain can also be worse when sleep deprived^1, therefore, if you haven't had a good night's sleep, this could explain why your joint pain is worse in the morning. As pain often makes it difficult to get good sleep in the first place, it can be a bit of a vicious cycle.

It's key to remember that sleep is healing, and if you're in pain there is really almost no better medicine than rest.

3. Sleeping position

Another reason for bad joint pain in the morning may be linked to your sleeping position. Both an old mattress or unlevel pillow, for example, can influence the severity of pain.

4. Food choice before bed

Finally, what you eat and drink in the hours before sleep can make pain worse. The likes of caffeine and alcohol, for example, are pro-inflammatory. Sugar can also be problematic in this regard so, if you've been snacking on chocolate and biscuits whilst watching television in the evening, it may very well cause your joints problems thereafter.

My Top Tip:

If you struggle with joint pain, keep a tube of Arnica Gel nearby. This has soothing anti-inflammatory properties which may help to ease your discomfort.

I'd recommend applying the gel topically before bed, and then keep it on your bed side table in case the pain flares up at night. When morning comes, apply the gel once again to relieve any further pain.

"Brilliant for my sore foot, knees and ankle. Sorts it in two or three days."

Read more customer reviews

Find Atrogel Arnica Gel in a store near you Add to basket - 100ml for £13.75

How do I stop my joints from being stiff and sore in the morning?

When going to bed, set yourself up for a less painful morning with a few simple steps.

1. Have a warm bath

A warm bath helps to relax the muscles and reduce the pressure on joints, particularly the knee joints, as the water allows them to feel supported. Heat can also reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as boosting overall circulation.

As an added bonus, studies show that a warm bath can increase sleepiness at bed time and encourage deep sleep.² Therefore, by improving sleep quality, a warm bath could impact your joint pain which can be made worse due to poor sleep.

2. Take a hot water bottle to bed

Like a bath, the heat from a hot water bottle can help to reduce pain and ease swelling. Warming bean bags are also available and have a similar effect. These can be popped in the microwave and then wrapped around the offending joint.

I would recommend heating up your hot water bottle or beanbag an hour or so before bed, so that the effects kick in before you put the lights out to go to sleep.

3. Look at your sleeping position and mattress

We're all going to toss and turn during the night, but starting off in a good sleeping position is at least a good habit to keep.

The key thing to remember here is that any painful joints need a little bit of extra support. If you tend to sleep on your side and your knees cause issues, pop a pillow between your legs for extra support. If you tend to lie on your back, putting a pillow under your knees will help to reduce the pressure on both the knees and back.

Sleeping on your front is best avoided since the neck has to twist at an unnatural angle in order to breathe, and the inside organs can get a little squished. This is more likely to contribute to digestive issues, which you certainly don't want on top of joint pain!

4. Look at the timing of your medication

If you are on pain-relieving medication, sometimes this can wear off in the middle of the night. Therefore, it is worth talking with your doctor about when it is best to take your medication in order to sleep better through the night and avoid more severe joint pain in the morning.

5. Stretch

Finally, it is a good idea to stretch before going to bed, as well as first thing in the morning. This'll loosen off the joints, helping to reduce tension and pain.

In order to stretch safely, check out some of our easy videos over on the Get Active hub.

References

¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296796/ 

² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2578367 

Results: Does the application of heat help your joint pain?