When you wake up in the morning, it’s your hope that you feel refreshed and ready for your day. However, if you’re greeted with back stiffness, you want nothing more than to stay where you are.
Even if you regularly wake up with a stiff back, you don’t have to learn to live with it. Instead, there are a few things you can try to rid yourself of the pain:
• Stretch in the morning: Get into the habit of stretching your back muscles before you get out of bed in the morning. For example, put your arms above your head and pull your knees into your chest. This is a great way to stretch your lower back.
• Stretch in the evening: Even if you’re feeling good before you retire, stretch your back and neck. This reduces the likelihood of running into issues during the morning hours.
• Stay active: When you regularly exercise throughout your day, there’s a better chance of keeping your back muscles in good health. So, get out of that office chair and stay active. You’ll be glad you did tomorrow morning.
If back stiffness has you dreading the morning hours, experiment with these ideas. Also, consider attending our Mobility Stretch 4Life classes. We're currently offering these virtually, but will be moving back to in-person classes soon.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.