Why Am I Stiffest in the Morning?
Does this sound familiar?
You wake up feeling stiff.
Your back feels tight as you get out of bed.
Your knees don't quite want to straighten.
Your shoulders feel reluctant to move.
Yet after you've been up for 10 or 15 minutes, you start to feel much more like yourself.
So... why?
Your Body Has Been Resting
While you sleep, your body is still working hard repairing and recovering.
What it isn't doing is moving.
For six, seven or eight hours, your joints, muscles and connective tissues have stayed in roughly the same positions.
When you first get up, everything simply needs a little time to get moving again.
Think of it like leaving your car parked overnight on a cold morning.
Nothing is broken. It just takes a few minutes before everything feels like it's running smoothly.
Movement Is What Your Body Expects
Our bodies are designed to move.
Movement increases circulation, warms muscles, lubricates joints and reminds your nervous system that everything is working as it should.
That's why many people find that a short walk, a warm shower or even making a cup of tea helps them loosen up.
It's often not the activity itself that makes the difference.
It's simply that you've started moving.
When Is Morning Stiffness Normal?
Some stiffness first thing in the morning is incredibly common, especially if you:
Sit for long periods during the day
Have had a particularly active day beforehand
Have exercised more than usual
Are feeling stressed or tired
Are simply getting a little older
In many cases, it settles within a few minutes once you're up and about.
When Is It Worth Getting Checked?
Morning stiffness is worth investigating if it:
Lasts for a long time after you've started moving
Is becoming progressively worse
Stops you doing everyday activities
Is accompanied by swelling, significant pain or other worrying symptoms
You don't have to simply accept it as "part of getting older."
Often, there are things we can do to help improve how your body moves and feels.
"Feeling a bit stiff is completely normal. Being in pain is not something you should just accept."
It's something I tell patients every week.
We all become a little stiffer as we get older, especially after a busy day or a poor night's sleep. But if pain is stopping you doing the things you enjoy, it's worth finding out why rather than simply putting up with it.
If you've been waking up feeling stiff or sore more often than you'd like, we'd be happy to help.
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