Do you feel like you constantly wake up feeling stiff and achy? Occasionally waking up feeling stiff is normal if you slept in an awkward position, but if this is happening every morning, you may need professional treatment.
Frequent stiffness and achiness may be signs of a chronic condition or injury that can benefit from physical therapy.
What causes me to feel stiff and achy in the morning?
One of the main reasons people wake up feeling stiff and achy is because their joints and muscles are irritated and they don’t know it. It’s possible to irritate the joints and muscles with activity during the day and not notice it if the irritation is mild. However, when you are asleep and your body is immobile, the inflammation is able to grow thicker and cause further irritation, which is what you notice when you wake up.
Additionally, you may be suffering from a chronic condition that affects the joints and soft tissue in your body, including:
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Gout
If you’re waking up with stiff and achy joints and notice other symptoms that cause pain or make your daily life more difficult, you should talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about diagnosis and treatment.
Treating stiff and achy joints with physical therapy
In many cases of stiffness and achiness, physical therapy can help. Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy can identify the cause of your pain and guide you through a personalized treatment routine that typically includes:
- Stretching
- Therapeutic exercises
- Joint mobilization
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Posture guidance
- Patient education and more
Are you ready to stop waking up with stiff and achy joints? Our team is ready to help. You don’t have to have a doctor’s referral to begin using any of our therapy services. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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