Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sharp Pain In Lower Back While Sleeping And Turning?
Question: Predominantly great health for a 59 year old female, walked 8 miles yesterday playing golf carrying my clubs. I have lower back pain, ONLY when I am sleeping and ONLY when I try to turn from one side to the other. what could this possibly be? It is fairly sharp. Very little to no pain while doing my day to day things.
Brief Answer:
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A pain in the back only while sleeping could be due to-
1. A beat-up mattress that does not give adequate support might cause stiffness and pain. You need to use a firm mattress preferably a cotton mattress which gives our back a good support.
2. Low oxygen levels in muscles while lying down- frequent change in postures or lying on your side might provide the relief.
3. Disc herniation or spinal canal stenosis- Can be diagnosed after investigations like MRI.
4. Arthritis or ankylosing spondylosis.
5. Weak core muscles-Strengthening the muscles that support the spine helps keep the spine in its proper position and reduce risk of sprains, strains and lower back pain. Maintain fitness with exercises that include back stretching and strengthening exercises under guidance of a physiotherapist.
A detailed examination by an orthopedician will help in detecting the exact cause. The treatment further depends on the cause.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A pain in the back only while sleeping could be due to-
1. A beat-up mattress that does not give adequate support might cause stiffness and pain. You need to use a firm mattress preferably a cotton mattress which gives our back a good support.
2. Low oxygen levels in muscles while lying down- frequent change in postures or lying on your side might provide the relief.
3. Disc herniation or spinal canal stenosis- Can be diagnosed after investigations like MRI.
4. Arthritis or ankylosing spondylosis.
5. Weak core muscles-Strengthening the muscles that support the spine helps keep the spine in its proper position and reduce risk of sprains, strains and lower back pain. Maintain fitness with exercises that include back stretching and strengthening exercises under guidance of a physiotherapist.
A detailed examination by an orthopedician will help in detecting the exact cause. The treatment further depends on the cause.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Tayal:
Thank you for your response. I think I need to be clearer on my symptoms.
1. I have tried several mattresses, including a tempurpedic so not a mattress
issue
2. There is no pain while lying down, the pain manifests ONLY when I am laying
down on my left side and the pain is very sharp ONLY when I attempt to make
a turn from side to side. I have noticed that if I stretch the left leg as far as
possible and then make the turn, the pain is much less.
3. I am in great health with proper lifestyle choices, work out almost every
day, adopt a healthy eating practice, blood pressure runs 110 over 70 to 75,
have noticed a slight increase to 120 to 128 range and that is new and
different. I am on NO MEDICATIONS.
4. DISC herniation occurs in everyone over 50, this is a sharp pain only
when turning
5. I do not have weak core muscles and do all kinds of back exercises
It's ok to say I have never heard of anything such as this.....
Thank you for your response. I think I need to be clearer on my symptoms.
1. I have tried several mattresses, including a tempurpedic so not a mattress
issue
2. There is no pain while lying down, the pain manifests ONLY when I am laying
down on my left side and the pain is very sharp ONLY when I attempt to make
a turn from side to side. I have noticed that if I stretch the left leg as far as
possible and then make the turn, the pain is much less.
3. I am in great health with proper lifestyle choices, work out almost every
day, adopt a healthy eating practice, blood pressure runs 110 over 70 to 75,
have noticed a slight increase to 120 to 128 range and that is new and
different. I am on NO MEDICATIONS.
4. DISC herniation occurs in everyone over 50, this is a sharp pain only
when turning
5. I do not have weak core muscles and do all kinds of back exercises
It's ok to say I have never heard of anything such as this.....
Brief Answer:
Can be a muscle spasm.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
On going through the details provided, I feel that the sudden sharp pain during turning can be due to a muscle spasm that can happen due to an injury to the muscle fibers in that area. The exact cause is difficult to detect.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Can be a muscle spasm.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
On going through the details provided, I feel that the sudden sharp pain during turning can be due to a muscle spasm that can happen due to an injury to the muscle fibers in that area. The exact cause is difficult to detect.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Ok, i thought spasms came on intermittently, this is very consistent when making a turn so that is why I am asking. Can spasms be consistent with one motion or can this movement cause the spasm to occur? Ok, I guess I need an MRI
I won't ask any more questions but as an orthopedic have you heard others voice this exact concern.
I won't ask any more questions but as an orthopedic have you heard others voice this exact concern.
Brief Answer:
The movement can trigger spasms.
Detailed Answer:
The spasms can happen due to the movement as the osteophytes of spine can rub against each other during the movement thus triggering the spasm. An MRI scan will help in detecting all these changes. This is seen in patients with ankylosing spondylosis.
Regards.
The movement can trigger spasms.
Detailed Answer:
The spasms can happen due to the movement as the osteophytes of spine can rub against each other during the movement thus triggering the spasm. An MRI scan will help in detecting all these changes. This is seen in patients with ankylosing spondylosis.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
